Patriots Training Camp Observations: A Bailey Zappe First (Not In Good Way)

FOXBORO, Mass. — Bailey Zappe saw more competitive snaps than any signal-caller during the New England Patriots preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. That was strange to see given Zappe’s depleting workload throughout training camp.

Well, it’s even more strange with how it’s played out since.

For the first time in 13 training camp practices, Zappe did not receive a single competitive rep on the practice fields at Gillette Stadium on Monday. It was a non-padded session for the Patriots, who took it a bit easier with the Philadelphia Eagles traveling to Route 1 for a joint practice Tuesday morning.

Patriots starter Jacoby Brissett (21) and Drake Maye (20) went back and forth like they have been. Rookie signal-caller Joe Milton III, whose play was one of the biggest storylines from the preseason opener, received nine competitive reps, all of which came in 11-on-11 periods. He was 1-for-5 with an interception.

Zappe, though, stood behind all three when they took part in competitive sessions.

Zappe has admitted it’s been tough to go through the situation. All while some outside the building, like legendary Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, have pleaded for New England to cut ties. The breakdown in competitive reps Monday, after Zappe saw merely three Sunday, makes it seem like that might not be much further away.

Here are more observations from Day 13:

— Brissett and Maye each were 8-for-14 in competitive periods. Brissett went 6-for-9 with one touchdown during 11-on-11 periods and 2-for-5 with one touchdown during a red zone 7-on-7 period. Maye went 5-for-8 with one touchdown during 11-on-11s and 3-for-6 with two touchdowns during the red zone 7-on-7 period. Both Brissett and Maye saw six snaps in 7-on-7s.

— Vederian Lowe was the starting left tackle for the seventh consecutive practice. Lowe also was on the top group during New England’s preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers.

The top offensive line consisted of, from left to right, Lowe, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu and Chukwuma Okorafor. The second offensive line, which played in front of Maye, consisted of, from left to right, Calvin Anderson, Michael Jordan, Nick Leverett, Layden Robinson and Caedan Wallace.

— Wallace, who saw four practices as the top left tackle, has since played most with the second-stringers. Given the Patriots said multiple times they would give Wallace opportunities to transition to left tackle, it’s been interesting to see.

— Ja’Lynn Polk made the nicest play of the day on an acrobatic, leaping catch from Milton during the initial 11-on-11 period. Polk scored a touchdown from Maye during the red zone 11-on-11 period, too. It came on third-and-goal from the 2-yard line, Maye rolling to the right and hitting Polk on an easily converted rub route.

— Javon Baker was on the receiving end of a tight-window touchdown pass from Maye during 7-on-7s. Baker beat rookie cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr. and hauled in the pass before a safety closed in.

— Officials were on hand for a second consecutive day, with the offense and defense being whistled for four penalties. An irritated Jerod Mayo made the defense run two laps, the second which came after New England appeared to only have 10 defenders on the field.

— Brissett connected with Jalen Reagor, who beat Christian Gonzalez, on a touchdown during red zone 11-on-11s. Reagor looked to be approaching the boundary, but officials ruled both feet in bounds on the route.

— The Patriots’ running game didn’t show much during the padless practice, though that’s not a huge surprise.

— Gonzalez had a near interception during Maye’s first 7-on-7 snap. Maye and Reagor seemed to miscommunicate on a return route to the outside, Maye throwing it in the direction of Gonzalez, who couldn’t bring it in for a pick.

— The starting defensive line during the red zone 11-on-11 period included edge rushers Oshane Ximines and Matthew Judon next to defensive tackles Daniel Ekuale and Davon Godchaux. Cornerbacks Alex Austin and Azizi Hearn as well as safety Jaylin Hawkins saw snaps with the top defense during 11-on-11s.

— Ximines blew up a screen pass with his rush against Calvin Anderson and Maye behind center.

— Jahlani Tavai recorded a pass breakup on an 11-on-11 rep against Brissett’s offense.

— Joe Giles Harris tipped a Milton pass during 11-on-11s, and safety Dell Pettus came away with an interception.

— Hearn recorded a pass breakup against JaQuae Jackson in the final 11-on-11 period. It came after Milton rolled to the left and unleashed a deep ball, which traveled some 45 yards before Hearn’s play.

— Matthew Judon seemed to be enjoying himself. Judon was seen having some fun, rolling around on the grass during the final rep in a non-competitive 11-on-11 period. He signed autographs for fans afterward, too. Patriots defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington said he has been impressed with how Judon responded from his well-documented “bad day.”

— Patriots starting tight end Hunter Henry did not practice after leaving Sunday with an injury. The cornerback room also was short with Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones and Shaun Wade all not practicing. Marco Wilson, who received complimentary remarks from Covington, continued to take on a bigger role.

— The Patriots host the Eagles in a joint practice Tuesday before they meet up for a preseason game Thursday night.