Training Camp Report: Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft participate in Ice bucket challenge, Jerod Mayo missing
The Patriots and Eagles held their first joint practice of the week today, and there were some pretty nice highlights from the day.
The biggest story from the day might not even have had to do with the players on the field, but with the crowd. A record 25,317 fans showed up to watch practice today, with every person in attendance cheering every big play that was made.
Before practice began, Bill Belichick asked referee Steve Parry to throw a lot of penalty flags for illegal contact, holding calls and more, to explain the calls to the players. The NFL is trying to clamp down on illegal contact after more than five yards away from the line of scrimmage this season, so a good move by Belichick to make his players aware early on.
It was nice to see Danny Amendola pop up today. We haven't heard too much about him so far, but according to multiple reports, he and Julian Edelman were giving Eagles defensive backs fits all day.
Tom Brady also seemed to have a good day throwing the ball, as per a tweet by Les Bowen of The Philadelphia Daily News indicating as such:
A few more bits from Doug Kyed of NESN.com:
Trash talker extraordinaire Cary Williams was beat on a Kenbrell Thompkins touchdown catch, but also was seen shoving receiver Brian Tyms around the face mask.
Something to monitor going forward is the participation of Jerod Mayo this week. He was held out of practice today and no reason was given for his absence. Additionally Ryan Mallett returned after being held out the last couple of days. Many were speculating that he had been held out because of an injury he may have suffered during last Thursday's game in Washington.
Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner were both beat on touchdown catches by Eagles receivers during practice today, but since that hasn't seemed to happen too much, we'll let it slide.
Additionally, Eagles running backs LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles seemed to have their way with the Patriots defensive backs. At one point, Chandler Jones was assigned to cover McCoy, and you can imagine how that worked out. Per Ben Volin of The Boston Globe:
More from the linebackers covering Eagles running backs:
Volin had also touched on how the Eagles defense looked a lot better this year than it did the last time these two teams met for joint practices, which was last summer. This is a great sign for the Eagles and a bad sign for the rest of the NFC, as some people view the Eagles as a dark horse team in the conference this season. Many already knew how good they were offensively.
Lastly, one of the cooler (literally) moments from training camp when the entire Patriots team, along with owner Robert Kraft and Belichick, participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness for ALS. Kraft and Belichick were nominated by Giants owner John Mara yesterday.
What are your thoughts from today's practice? Follow me on Twitter - @JesseGaunce
For more of my articles, click here.
The biggest story from the day might not even have had to do with the players on the field, but with the crowd. A record 25,317 fans showed up to watch practice today, with every person in attendance cheering every big play that was made.
Before practice began, Bill Belichick asked referee Steve Parry to throw a lot of penalty flags for illegal contact, holding calls and more, to explain the calls to the players. The NFL is trying to clamp down on illegal contact after more than five yards away from the line of scrimmage this season, so a good move by Belichick to make his players aware early on.
It was nice to see Danny Amendola pop up today. We haven't heard too much about him so far, but according to multiple reports, he and Julian Edelman were giving Eagles defensive backs fits all day.
Tom Brady also seemed to have a good day throwing the ball, as per a tweet by Les Bowen of The Philadelphia Daily News indicating as such:
Boy, Brady’s release and velocity are still extraordinary.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) August 12, 2014
A few more bits from Doug Kyed of NESN.com:
- Quarterback Tom Brady was 8-for-10 in 7-on-7 drills and 16-for-22 in 11-on-11s. Rookie quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t allow a pass to hit the turf, going 3-for-3 in 7-on-7s and 4-for-4 in 11-on-11s. Backup quarterback Ryan Mallett, returning to practice after being absent on Sunday and Monday, went 1-for-2 in 7-on-7s, 1-for-1 in 11-on-11s.
- At the end of practice Patriots center Ryan Wendell made a one-handed catch on a pass from punter Ryan Allen on a fake field goal. The play drew loud cheers from the crowd.
- Defensive tackle Dominique Easley went 1-for-3 in 1-on-1 drills against the Eagles offensive linemen.
Trash talker extraordinaire Cary Williams was beat on a Kenbrell Thompkins touchdown catch, but also was seen shoving receiver Brian Tyms around the face mask.
Something to monitor going forward is the participation of Jerod Mayo this week. He was held out of practice today and no reason was given for his absence. Additionally Ryan Mallett returned after being held out the last couple of days. Many were speculating that he had been held out because of an injury he may have suffered during last Thursday's game in Washington.
Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner were both beat on touchdown catches by Eagles receivers during practice today, but since that hasn't seemed to happen too much, we'll let it slide.
Additionally, Eagles running backs LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles seemed to have their way with the Patriots defensive backs. At one point, Chandler Jones was assigned to cover McCoy, and you can imagine how that worked out. Per Ben Volin of The Boston Globe:
Chandler Jones covering Shady McCoy on a wheel route. McCoy beats him but pass is thrown too far
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) August 12, 2014
More from the linebackers covering Eagles running backs:
Meanwhile, Donta Hightower covering McCoy and Sproles out of the backfield? No chance
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) August 12, 2014
Volin had also touched on how the Eagles defense looked a lot better this year than it did the last time these two teams met for joint practices, which was last summer. This is a great sign for the Eagles and a bad sign for the rest of the NFC, as some people view the Eagles as a dark horse team in the conference this season. Many already knew how good they were offensively.
Lastly, one of the cooler (literally) moments from training camp when the entire Patriots team, along with owner Robert Kraft and Belichick, participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness for ALS. Kraft and Belichick were nominated by Giants owner John Mara yesterday.
What are your thoughts from today's practice? Follow me on Twitter - @JesseGaunce
For more of my articles, click here.
