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What Mike Vrabel said about Joe Mazzulla stopping by Patriots practice
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Christian Gonzalez leaves practice early with an injury, and other takeaways from Day 5 of training camp
FoxBoroughChristian Gonzalez, who is still recovering from a hamstring ailment, missed his second consecutive session.
Coach Mike Vrabel says he won’t be practicing for the remainder of the week.Season ticket holders will be able to attend an in-stadium scrimmage on Friday night after New England practices on Thursday morning.
“I am aware that he is putting a lot of effort into getting back and concentrating on his strengths rather than his weaknesses,” Vrabel said. However, I don’t think I’ll see him this week.
Not just the exceptional cornerback was absent. Once more, Carlton Davis was out. For maintenance, Harold Landry took the day off. Due to Garrett Bradbury’s absence from practice, the offensive linemen had to shuffle.
In 11-on-11 drills, Drake Maye went 11-for-14 with no turnovers, demonstrating his continued efficiency.
Here are five lessons learned from the event.
Cole Strange slides in at center
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During first-team practice, the Patriots moved youngster Jared Wilson up to left guard and started Ben Brown at center with Bradbury out.
Cole Strange, a former first-round selection who started camp as the starting left-guard, mostly worked with the second team. He played some snaps at center, where he might provide depth in the event if Bradbury is sidelined for a long time.
The Patriots have struggled with snapping quite a bit this camp, but today’s issues were less obvious. Josh Dobbs managed to catch it before it escaped him, but he had to jump for a high snap.
Austin Hooper, a tight end, had the ball knocked out after collecting a brief play-action pass from Maye on Wednesday; there were no fumbled snaps.
Mixed bag for DJ James
DJ James, a 2024 sixth-round selection who joined New England’s practice squad last year, has gained some reps as a result of Gonzalez and Davis’ absence.
James has risen up the depth chart ever since he made the camp’s first interception on Day 1.
Coach Mike Vrabel stated before to practice that DJ is one of the players that has progressed since the end of the spring. He has exploited certain players who aren’t present, so he advances in the group or whatever it is, and as a result, he is seizing his chances and will keep getting new ones. However, in the brief time we’ve been here, DJ. has improved as a player.
On Wednesday, he was in coverage for Drake Maye’s deep touchdown pass to Kyle Williams, which was undoubtedly the longest play of the day. He also blew up a screen pass to DeMario Douglas in the backfield.
However, James has had a good start to camp overall and is making an impression on the coaching staff.
According to James, it’s a great chance for me to demonstrate my teammates and coaches that I’m a reliable person.
Chaisson bringing the juice
K Lavon Chaisson took the edge off the heat on a sweltering July day in Foxborough.
He performed admirably against Will Campbell, a rookie. He had at least one additional pressure on a rush up the middle and two plays that might have been sacks.
Milton Williams, a defensive lineman, was asked what he liked best about the former first-round pick.
According to Williams, he has a large mouth. Even though he talks a lot, he nevertheless exudes vitality and enthusiasm. He’s just another of those individuals who constantly chat to everyone and attempt to get them to start. He’s working on his butt. He’s at work. He put in a lot of work throughout the off-season.
Kyle Williams had the catch of the day
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One of Maye’s best throws of the camp resulted in Kyle Williams’ touchdown reception.
Maye struck the rookie receiver in stride on a throw that traveled at least 40 yards after he ran by James and Kyle Dugger.
On his first throw of the workout, Maye hit Hunter Henry on a seam route. Stefon Diggs was located by him for many completions.
On one play, when the rush had him boxed up, he bounced a ball and had a pass meant for Kyle Williams swatted down.
The score to Williams served as a reminder of what Maye is capable of when he truly opens it up and fires throws down the field, even if the Patriots have made significant progress in improving their short passing game thus far.
Morgan Moses returns
The right tackle Morgan Moses left early Tuesday and came back to practice.
One of the seasoned players that incorporates relaxation into their practice schedules is Moses, 34, according to Vrabel.
There is very little depth for New England at either tackle position.
Campbell, a rookie, is expected to hold down the left side. Following Moses on the right side are Caedan Wallace and Demontrey Jacobs, both of whom performed poorly the previous season.
The Patriots have been adamant about keeping Mike Onwenu at right guard thus far in 2017 training camp, despite the fact that he made six starts at right tackle last season.
Boston.com’s Khari Thompson reports on professional sports. Khari worked as a college football reporter for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi, prior to joining the team in 2022.
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