Patriots Training Camp Blog: Defense Has Their Best Practice While Brady Gets Plenty Of Birthday Love
FOXBORO (CBS) -- It was a beautiful day in Foxboro on Wednesday as the Patriots held their sixth practice of training camp. Here are some thoughts and observations:
- Tom Brady seemed to be in good spirits on his 39th birthday as he walked out for practice. He exchanged hugs with former teammate Matt Chatham (now part of our preseason team on WBZ-TV!) and acknowledged a few others along the way. Brady was serenaded with "Happy Birthday" by fans on hand for the first time at 10:08 a.m., and he simply waved a thank you back. The fans did it again at 10:19 a.m. and tried several times to get another wave, but No. 12 was locked into practice by then.
- Brady was wished a Happy Birthday by several teammates after Bill Belichick addressed the team at the end of practice. Jimmy Garoppolo said he wasn't going to tell us what he got Brady as far as a gift goes, while Terrance Knighton said Brady should be buying his teammates gifts for allowing him to still be playing at the age of 39.
- Brady seemed pretty locked in and focused on what may have been the toughest day for the offense so far in camp. Brady was picked off by Logan Ryan on a tipped pass in wide receiver drills against defensive backs. Brady was also pressured numerous times in 11 vs 11 and red zone situations. The defensive backs also did a nice job in coverage. Meanwhile, one of the nicest plays (and easiest) was Brady finding Gronk in 1-on-1 coverage against 6-foot tall defensive back Vinnie Sunseri. It was a big-time mismatch and an easy TD.
- Brady also spent some time after practice doing his band work for his footwork techniques. He also was talking and working with Garoppolo, something Jimmy G said he appreciates.
- I think Garoppolo is making progress, but it's easy to see that he has a ways to go in reading coverages. Clearly, he's getting better and better at it, but it's also maybe not fair that he has one of, if not the greatest QB's of all-time to measure himself against.
Garoppolo did a good job in red zone work; in one sequence with the 1's, he threw TD passes to Aaron Dobson, DeAndre Carter and Dobson again.
- Staying on offense, it will be interesting to see who emerges as the lead running back on this team. LeGarrette Blount, Donald Brown and Tyler Gaffney appear to be the leading candidates, but I agree with Paul Perillo of Patriots Football Weekly, who thinks the lead back may not even be here in New England right now.
- As for the wide receiving corps, Bill Belichick told Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller of NFL Sirius Radio it's the most competitive group he's ever fielded. It may be difficult to figure out who to keep and let go. The injured Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola are locks, while Chris Hogan (now dinged up as well), Keshawn Martin and fourth-round draft pick Malcolm Mitchell appear that way also. Will that be it?
After that? Chris Harper, Aaron Dobson (final, final chance?), DeAndre Carter, Devin Lucien or Nate Washington (who hasn't been practicing since Day 1). Lots of good candidates and keep in mind there is a long way to go to the season-opener.
- Martellus Bennett is an interesting player/person. I like him. Quote of the day: "Gronk is really (expletive) good."
- As for the defense, I thought they had their best practice of camp on Wednesday. They seemed mentally sharp from the start of the session and made numerous plays all day. They brought good pressure on Brady as well as good coverage in 7 vs 7s, 11 vs 11s and red zone work. Knighton acknowledged it afterwards, saying it will be nice to have bragging rights over Brady, Gronk and company at least for one day.
- Lastly, in the "nothing gets by Bill Belichick" department, I love what he said when asked about Brady's birthday and his longevity: "Well, first of all, I don't think we want to miss Chris Barker's birthday as long as we're celebrating."
Something only the coach would know.
- And finally, don't forget the only place to watch the preseason games is WBZ-TV! Our first game is Thursday, August 11 against New Orleans at Gillette Stadium. Yours truly, Christian Fauria, Matt Chatham, Paul Perillo, and Andy Hart will return as the broadcast team. Can't wait!
