The New England Patriots took another step toward the upcoming regular season on Monday. Practicing without an audience for the first time all summer, they went from full-on competition to their usual in-season preparation: the top units worked primarily against their scout team counterparts.
You can recap the action here. And as always, here is a rundown of who caught our eye for better or worse.
CB Marcus Jones: While most of Monday was focused on preparatory work, the Patriots did let their starting offense and defense at each other late during the session. And when that happened, their starting slot cornerback had himself a performance. Working against the team’s most reliable pass catcher this summer — DeMario Douglas — Jones broke up a pair of passes, staying in the shifty Douglas’ pocket on both snaps. On a day that saw limited competitive opportunities, the fourth-year man managed to stand out.
Other performances of note
WR Efton Chism III: Training camp is all about consistency and stringing positive plays together, and Chism has started doing that as of late. Coming off arguably his best practice of the summer, the undrafted free agent saw increased action with the starting offense around Drake Maye. While the pair did not connect, the mere fact that Chism is getting involved is a positive development.
OT Marcus Bryant: The seventh-round rookie returned to action, and he immediately resumed the role as top backup tackle he had previously played. Whenever starter Morgan Moses left the field, it was Bryant’s turn to take over at right tackle ahead of competitor Demontrey Jacobs. The youngster seemingly has the inside track in the race for the OT3 spot, and Monday was further confirmation of that.
ED Anfernee Jennings: Jennings had a mixed bag of a practice on Monday. On the one hand, he looked disruptive when given the opportunity to rush the passer and registered a would-be sack during the competitive portion of practice. On the other hand, he continues to rep with the scout team and is a long way from the starting role he had held as recently as last season.
Kicking operation: After performing at roughly the same high level throughout the summer, Monday marked a step back for both Andy Borregales and Parker Romo in their competition for the place kicker job. The former went just 2-for-4 operating from between 33 and 50 yards out, while the latter finished the day with a 1-for-4 outing. In addition to Borregales and Romo making only 38 percent of their combined kicking attempts, Julian Ashby also seemed to deliver a low snap at one point leading to one of Romo’s misses.
Other players worth mentioning include safeties Craig Woodson and Kyle Dugger, who remained in the roles they recently seemed to have established for themselves. Furthermore, K’Lavon Chaisson was his disruptive self in end-of-practice work versus the top offense, Cole Fotheringham looked like the No. 2 fullback option behind fellow tight end Jack Westover, and Jack Westover got some starting reps next to Robert Spillane.
The Patriots will not practice on Tuesday. Instead, they will fly to Minneapolis for a pair of joint sessions with the Vikings on Wednesday and Thursday.
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