FOXBORO —According to Matt Judon, his reduced participation at Patriots training camp is all part of the plan.
A plan designed by himself, the Patriots’ coaches and training staff to keep him fresh for the long season ahead. His would-be sack of Mac Jones during one competitive 11-on-11 drill in Sunday’s practice exemplified this mindset. Judon’s sack was one of just three snaps he took in competitive team periods all day, his rest seemingly paying off immediately.
Except Sunday’s practice followed a rare day off for players. And Judon basically sat out one of the preceding three practices. How much rest does an eighth-year veteran need? Or is it more contract-related than he’s explained?
Judon, according to Herald sources, does want his contract reworked. But indications and reports suggest a new deal isn’t imminent, despite Judon only having $2.5 million guaranteed left on his deal and being underpaid relative to the current market. So what does his on-again, off-again participation ultimately mean?
It’s hard to tell, much like what’s driving the results Bill O’Brien’s offense has yielded so far. It’s clear enough O’Brien’s schemes are sound, and playing outside the 20-yard line allows any offense breathe better. Sunday’s team periods were an airshow compared to previous practices.
Mac Jones finished 6-of-10 around three “sacks,” while Bailey Zappe went 11-of-13 with an interception during 11-on-11 drills. Tight end Mike Gesicki and wide receiver Tyquan Thornton caught their first meaningful passes of the summer.
But two rookie receivers also out-paced them both in total receptions, while linebacker Marte Mapu and cornerback Jack Jones received promotions and a young defensive back got beat for two touchdowns.
Here are the Herald’s complete practice observations.
Returned: DL Christian Barmore
Absent: RB/WR Ty Montgomery, WR Kayshon Botute, OL Jake Andrews
Limited: LB Terez Hall
Non-contact jersey: LB/S Marte Mapu
PUP: OL Mike Onwenu, S Cody Davis
Non-Football Illness: OT Calvin Anderson
Notes: Boutte and Andrews missed their first practice of the summer for unknown reasons unknown. Barmore returned after missing Friday’s practice following the birth of his new baby. Montgomery sat out for a second straight practice with an apparent leg injury.
Four days days ago, backup tight end Matt Sokol scored a touchdown in front of Jalen Mills during a red-zone drill. After that practice, Mills reviewed the tape and logged a mental note of that play. On Sunday, Mills watched a similar route combination start to unfold before him in another red-zone drill and jumped it.
Mills picked off Bailey Zappe’s second and final incompletion, an attempted out-route throw to reserve tight end Scotty Washington in front of the right pylon. He broke immediately as Washington began to turn toward the sideline, caught the pass in his gut and rolled into a crowd of cheering teammates.
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The same quarterback responsible for the only pick of practice was the best player on the field? Yep.
From the high red zone, Zappe also slung impressive touchdowns to wide receivers Demario Douglas, Tre Nixon and Jalen Hurd in the same period. On two of his touchdowns, he whipped darts to Nixon and Hurd (who signed last week) in the back left corner of the end zone. The pass to Hurd split cornerback Shaun Wade and safety Jabrill Peppers in coverage.
Zappe was decisive, accurate and played on time, albeit always against second-stringers. But from his top highlights to overall production -- including an 84.6% completion percentage -- Zappe was the best of the best Sunday.
Note: The passing stats below were tallied during competitive 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 periods only. The stats in parentheses represent the quarterbacks' camp-long performance.
The sixth-round rookie not only continued to rep with the starting offense, but saw his first target from Mac Jones in training camp. Among starters and second-string backups, Douglas led all pass-catchers with four receptions on five targets. The kid is catching on fast.
Who?
The undrafted rookie out of Rhode Island caught all five targets running with the third-team offense. He maximized his opportunity with Boutte out. During one stretch of practice, backup quarterback Trace McSorley connected with Lee four times in five plays.
After out-working bigger teammates DeVante Parker and Hunter Henry to force incompletions Friday, the 5-foot-8 Jones was beaten for two touchdowns in the same period. Third-year backup Tre Nixon pulled away from him on a crossing route, then Douglas beat him inside for another score at the goal line.
For a second straight practice, Reiff watched Conor McDermott take first-team reps at right tackle. Reiff, 34, is reportedly expected to win the starting job at right tackle, but hasn't assumed that spot for half of the team's practices.
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