Patriots Training Camp Observations: Defense Looks Part Vs. Eagles

FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots and Eagles will meet for a preseason matchup Thursday, but that won’t be the first time they compete this week.

New England and Philadelphia took the fields behind Gillette Stadium on Tuesday, competing in a single joint practice session ahead of their exhibition. How did they look?

It was a great day to play defense.

ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
If you’re looking for some information on Drake Maye, we’ve already explained how New England’s offense looked in our final “Drake Maye Watch” of training camp.

The Eagles were much better, but it was clear they never quite settled in against the Patriots’ defense.

“It’s great,” Patriots defensive lineman Davon Godchaux said following the joint session. “… I thought we was competitive. I thought we had some great plays.”

Jalen Hurts was efficient when he threw the ball, completing 17-of-20 attempts. He didn’t get many opportunities to throw it with a clean pocket, though, finding himself on the wrong end of a “sack” seven times. Kyle Dugger, Christian Elliss, Daniel Ekuale, Joshua Uche, Oshane Ximines and Godchaux each were in the mix on plays that were blown dead, or when Hurts took off running after being approached in the backfield.

“We play against a guy like that twice a year in our division, Josh Allen,” Godchaux said of Hurts. “It’s very difficult. It’s hard to pass rush on him because it’s like he wants you to bull rush so he can escape the pocket. He’s electric, was in the MVP discussion the last few years… It’s just a guy you have to be wary of.”

New England also had to be wary of A.J. Brown, who despite making six total catches, was kept in check. The Patriots made a point of highlighting Brown, with Christian Gonzalez primarily drawing that matchup in a 1-on-1 period.

“I saw him catch two or three passes that would have been complete during a game,” Jabrill Peppers said. “If we could hit, I don’t know if he hangs on to a couple of those. He did his thing, but that’s a guy that’s going to do his thing. We just have to find a way to slow him down. We think highly of A.J. Brown.”

New England’s defensive backs finished 13-of-28 in those man coverage reps, which is a huge win considering the drill favors offense.

The Patriots’ best moment came in the red zone, where they kept the Eagles out on four consecutive plays. Peppers kicked things off with a run stuff before Ekuale and Uche each registered “sacks” on back-to-back plays. Azizi Hearn made a tackle inside the five before Saquon Barkley was stuffed on the fifth and final goal-line play.

New England’s only chance of exceeding expectations is in the hands of the defense, and that unit appears to be up to the challenge. Can the offense stop being nightmarish?

Drake Maye Watch: Patriots QB Never Had Chance Vs. Eagles Defense

Aug 13, 2024

NOTES
— Jacoby Brissett, Maye, Joe Milton III and Bailey Zappe got “sacked” on 10-of-48 dropbacks in team periods against the Eagles.

Woof.

— Uche was involved in a scrum during one special teams period. He went to the ground after being blocked from the side, didn’t appreciate it, got up and went after an Eagle. It resulted in some pushing and shoving, but no one was kicked out of practice.

Jerod Mayo had a pretty hilarious quote about potential fights before practice, so we’ll see just how serious he was Thursday.

“If you fight in a real game, you get fined; you get kicked out,” Mayo said. “It’s the same thing here. Look, my message to the players, if you get in a fight out here, if you’re a starter, you’re going to play the whole preseason game. If you’re not a starter, you won’t play at all. That’s kind of my mindset with that.”

— Hunter Henry missed his second consecutive practice Tuesday. Marte Mapu, Sione Takitaki, Kendrick Bourne and Christian Barmore all watched from the sidelines, which marked the first time Bamore was seen at Gillette Stadium since being sidelined with blood clots.

Shaun Wade, Marcus Jones and Jonathan Jones all returned but did not participate in team drills.

— New England’s practices will be closed off to the public moving forward.