A.J. Brown finally gets going, and other takeaways from Day 5 of Patriots training camp
New England Patriots
It was a rough day for the run game, but A.J. Brown and Kyle Williams made plays in the passing game.
Vrabel: Patriots rookie Gabe Jacas is getting closer to participating in training camp
Patriots’ WR Kyle Williams is staying upbeat despite limited training camp snaps
FOXBOROUGH – It didn’t take A.J. Brown long to get going once the pads came on.
New England’s first padded practice of training camp featured an improved connection between Brown and quarterback Drake Maye.
Whether it was a deep catch during 1-on-1s or a quick slant over the middle for a touchdown during team drills, Maye and Brown looked like they were on the same page more than any other training camp practice to date.
The defense had more success against the run game on Thursday. Brown played well, Kyle Williams was a standout during his reps with the second team, and TreVyeon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson were able to make an impact in the passing game.
New England continued to steadily increase the physicality at practice on Thursday with contact allowed during 1-on-1 drills and scrimmages. The players weren’t tackling to the ground just yet, but there was more hitting going on than the first few practices in shirts and shells.
Here are five takeaways from the action.
Christian Gonzalez was a full participant.
Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez was true to his word.
He said he would be out there for practice on Thursday despite being in negotiations for a new contract that is expected to place him among the highest-paid players at his position in the league.
The big question was how much would he participate without the deal being done.
The answer was that he did it all. He was an active participant in 1-on-1 drills and 11-on-11 scrimmages. He was out there guarding Brown and Romeo Doubs. He played well, forcing an incompletion between Maye and Brown on the first play of 1-on-1s. Brown caught a touchdown in the back corner of the end zone later during the 1-on-1 portion of practice.
Gonzalez stopped Brown short of the end zone on a catch off of a curl route in team drills and remained engaged on run plays.
His presence on the field, participating in a padded practice before his new deal is finished, is somewhat surprising considering the variations of hold-outs, hold-ins, and other tactics players have used to put pressure on teams during negotiations.
Gonzalez was there, in pads, and doing what he normally does on Thursday.
Tough sledding for the run game
Stevenson and Henderson were active in the passing game, but there wasn’t much room for them to break free in the running game.
The front seven, led by Milton Williams and Christian Barmore, held up strong as they usually do. Cory Durden and Christian Ellis helped plug holes in the middle. Defensive lineman Leonard Taylor also stood out.
“They play downhill. They play fast,” fullback Reggie Gilliam said of the front seven. “They’re in their gap. They’re very well coached and well disciplined. So, you didn’t see a whole lot of creases today because the guys were where they were supposed to be.”
Kyle Williams had a big day.
On Tuesday, Kyle Williams told reporters that he was focused on making the most of his reps. The second-year receiver hasn’t gotten much time with the first-stringers over the last few practices.
That didn’t stop him from making plays during his reps with the second-stringers on Thursday.
He caught a deep touchdown from Tommy DeVito during 11-on-11 scrimmages. He made a diving touchdown catch in the red zone from DeVito during the red zone period.
He and Brown were the standout receivers on Thursday.
Hopkins no longer coaching with Patriots
DeAndre Hopkins’s short coaching stint with the Patriots is over, coach Mike Vrabel said.
Hopkins spent the first few training camp practices with the Patriots while exploring his interest in coaching. Multiple players said they enjoyed having Hopkins around.
Hopkins, 34, has not officially retired from playing in the NFL yet. The five-time Pro Bowler played all 17 games with the Ravens last year in a reserve role, making three starts and catching 22 passes for 330 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Vrabel had previously coached Hopkins when they were with the Titans.
“Hop’s not here, but it was a great experience for all of us,” Vrabel said. “I think that’s what we would try to do when you have some of these unique situations where a player, former player or whatever it may be wants to come in, help and learn, and they love football. So, I think it was good for everybody.”
Davis, Jacas remain out
Cornerback Carlton Davis, who left Tuesday’s practice with a lower body injury, was out again on Thursday. Charles Woods filled in for Davis, and Kindle Viador also got some snaps with the first team.
Rookie linebacker Gabe Jacas was at practice, but did not suit up. He was on the sidelines in street clothes watching. Vrabel said he is closer to returning than Harold Landry is. Landry remains out while being listed on the PUP list.
Terrell Jennings, CJ Dippre, Brenden Schooler and Brandon Crossley were also out.
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