The New England Patriots were back in action on Monday for their 14th training camp practice of the summer, and the first without a non-media audience. With a travel day looming on Tuesday, the intensity was dialed back for what largely felt like a regular season practice.<\/p>\n
Here is what went down on the fields behind Gillette Stadium.<\/p>\n
Duration: ca. 105 minutes (10:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ET)<\/p>\n
Conditions: Sunny, temperatures in the high 80s<\/p>\n
It was another hot day behind Gillette Stadium as the Patriots just wore their uppers for Monday\u2019s session. For the first time this summer, New England did plenty of scout team work to help set the stage for a busy week in Minnesota.<\/p>\n
Not participating: CB Christian Gonzalez, WR Ja\u2019Lynn Polk, LB Marte Mapu, RB Deneric Prince, CB D.J. James, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, LB Jahlani Tavai, WR Kendrick Bourne, TE Hunter Henry, LB Elijah Ponder, DT Joshua Farmer<\/p>\n
Departed: RB Terrell Jennings<\/p>\n
New England\u2019s running back depth was tested on Monday as Rhamondre Stevenson missed his second straight practice while Deneric Prince, who was signed on Sunday, also was absent. Then, second-year back Terrell Jennings left practice early heading straight to the locker room with a trainer.<\/p>\n
There were no other surprises on the absent list. The fellow new additions \u2014 Marte Mapu, D.J. James, Hunter Henry \u2014 all left Sunday\u2019s practice<\/a> early.<\/p>\n Hurry-up mess: While much of the practice consisted of scout team work, New England did end the day with 1:30 on the clock and the ball spotted on their own 25-yard line for Drake Maye vs. the top defense. Needing just a field goal, Maye and the offense continued their summer struggles in the hurry-up situation.<\/p>\n After a trio of check downs, Maye dealt with a handful of pressure \u2014 including K\u2019Lavon Chaisson getting home on a stunt working against Will Campbell and Jared Wilson \u2014 while Marcus Jones also broke up a pass among several incompletions. Following the downs being reset to keep the drive alive, Mike Vrabel then gave the offense a earful about the clock after an apparent delay of game penalty. The drive ended with Vrabel repositioning ball again to get a long field goal attempt (appearing to be around 55 yards) off which Andy Borregales missed short.<\/p>\n Maye and Co. will have a good chance now to bounce back against another opponent in the joint practices in Minnesota this week.<\/p>\n Kicking woes: In addition to Borregales final miss in the live situation, both of New England\u2019s kickers had a rare off day in their field goal period. Working between 33 and 50 yards, Borregales connected on just 2-of-4 while Romo had his worst day of the summer making just 1-of-4.<\/p>\n One of Romo\u2019s misses came after what appeared to be a low snap from rookie long snapper Julian Ashby.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll see what happens at the end of training camp cause we still got a long time to go,\u201d special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer said before practice. \u201cI love how both guys are competing right now to earn a role and that\u2019s the biggest thing: earn a role but you got to be consistent.\u201d<\/p>\n Safety rotation: Safety Kyle Dugger traveled with the Patriots first-team defense to their respective field working against the scout-team offense, but the 29-year-old watched as Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, and rookie Craig Woodson continued to be the first three safeties on the field.<\/p>\n While Dugger did work in with the unit throughout the day, the majority of his snaps came with Marcus Epps beside him in the secondary. He appears to be the clear fourth safety in the rotation although his contract situation (second highest cap hit on the roster) adds an important question mark to the conversation about his future<\/a> in New England.<\/p>\n Tackle depth: After leaving Sunday\u2019s practice early, it was a positive sign that rookie tackle Marcus Bryant was back on the field on Monday. In his return, Bryant held the right tackle spot on the second offensive line while continuing to take occasional reps in place of Morgan Moses on the top unit.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that when they switched over and he had some snaps on the left at the beginning of the training camp, I think moving him over to the right, I thought he did well, especially in the joint practices, earned that opportunity and continues to improve. He\u2019ll have to play both sides for us, and I think he\u2019s just a young player that is taking the coaching,\u201d Vrabel said of Bryant on Sunday. \u201cI think there\u2019s a lot of good football in front of him.\u201d<\/p>\n Opposite of Bryant on the second unit was Vederian Lowe at left tackle, while Demontrey Jacobs (left) and Jack Conley (right) were the tackles on the third offensive line.<\/p>\n The Patriots will be off the practice fields Tuesday as they travel to Minnesota for a pair of joint practices on Wednesday and Thursday. Pats Pulpit will provide live coverage both days.<\/p>\n