FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots were "really focused" throughout Tuesday's practice, according to a team source, and their first day of preparation was so strong that the players were given a day off by head coach Bill Belichick.
It came as a pretty big surprise, and certainly a welcomed one, when Belichick told the players they didn’t have to go to work Wednesday, which was scheduled to be a typical, long day at the office. And this came after Belichick gave the team a four-day break for Thanksgiving on the heels of a 21-point victory in Detroit.
Just as noteworthy, the Patriots put forth this strong practice session without quarterback Tom Brady, who missed his fourth practice in as many weeks to rest his right foot.
The Patriots will practice Thursday through Saturday and hold a walkthrough Sunday to prepare for Monday's all-important game against the Jets. That will give the Patriots four practices — one more than a normal week — leading up to the Jets game.
The Patriots practiced in full pads Tuesday for the first time in a few weeks. Belichick has conducted recent sessions in sweats and shells due to the string of highly physical games against the Ravens, Chargers, Vikings, Browns and Steelers.
And, while one might argue it would be beneficial to practice five times in anticipation of the Jets game, that would cause a little more sluggishness during next week's short turnaround, especially on the heels of another exceedingly physical game with the Jets.
Each of these factors, none as important as Tuesday's strong showing at practice, resulted in Wednesday's day away.
