More than the final score of 48-18, the Patriots went out with their 1st units on Offense and Defense and dominated the backup players from Washington. That’s what they are supposed to do. What is more important is that they are establishing an identity of a smash mouth football team. The Patriots are taking on the personality of their Head Coach. Vrabel, fresh off a cut on his cheek from a scrum at the joint practice, is a no-nonsense, players’ coach, who has them being accountable to each other. He insists on playing to the whistle, being physical, and playing disciplined football. They did all those little things on Friday Night.
There is a new sign in the Press Room: Patriots’ Team Identity
Effort and Finish
Ball Security and Disruption
Details, Technique and Fundamentals
Make Great Decisions
Efton Chism had himself a game, catching six passes on 8 targets. One of his misses was a pass from Dobbs that was high, but Chism still managed to get his hands on it, but couldn’t pull it in. Mike Giradi for Boston Sports had this to say “Chism was beaming from ear to ear as he stood at the podium and fielded questions. It certainly helped that Mike Vrabel praised the youngster for the physicality he displayed as a blocker and for how he finished his runs. One in particular, a short gain in the right flat, was punctuated by Chism lowering his shoulder and running through a defender. Yes, it was unexpected, and the bench absolutely lost their minds, hooting, hollering, and flexing.”
Efton Chism
(PHOTO: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images)
Vrabel went on to say, “I think his play strength stood out to me, just from the sideline,” said Vrabel. “I think it’s the way he blocks, his ability to catch the ball in traffic. The ball was basically tipped or bobbled coming out of Ben’s [Wooldridge] hand, kind of ran through a tackle, ran through contact, and we threw him a screen. So, those are all positive things. I think his play strength to me is what stood out.” It’s those little things, plus the fact that he can return punts, that will be why he makes this team.
All eyes were on Will Campbell Friday Night, and he put on a show. On the 14 snaps he played, Williams was credited as giving up a sack, had 0 pressures, 0 penalties, 3 pancake blocks (more than 10 yards downfield), and 2 scrums. Quite a dominating game for “Mr. Nasty”. The sack was a twist between the DE and DT. The DE shoots the gap between the Tackle and Guard (Wilson). Campbell follows the DE inside to make sure he doesn’t get beaten inside. This inside move was a play that Campbell had problems with earlier in camp and at LSU. The play is actually a pick on the Guard, and if the Tackle doesn’t disengage. The DT loops around the end. The problem with this play is actually on the LG (Wilson), not identifying the twist as the DT loops around the OT to the outside.
This is a very basic stunt by NFL D-linemen. Jared Wilson needs to recognize this and call out a switch. Campbell will hold up the DE until Wilson can adjust and take control. Then Campbell can switch to the DT, looping around. This was a communication breakdown by rookies. This type of communication only comes with becoming familiar with each other and building chemistry. Playing two rookies next to each other will result in this type of play, so get used to the growing pains from a 21-year-old Campbell and a 22-year-old Wilson. Remember, Wilson doesn’t have any starts in College at Guard and only 11 games at Center.
Way to go, TreVeyon Henderson, as he was shot out of a cannon on the 100-yard return of the Opening Kickoff. We all knew he was electric and could take the ball to the house anytime he touched the ball. But the opening play of the Mike Vrabel era was amazing. Credit has to be given to the KO return team for outstanding blocking. That hole was big enough to drive a truck through. I had a difficult time identifying the player who made the key block. I enlarged the video and moved it frame by frame to reveal that it was DE Elijah Ponder that cleared the way for Henderson. Evan Lazar added that LB Jack Gibbens, CB Alex Austin, and ST Ace Brendan Schooler also had good blocks.
This from Evan Lazar at Patriots.com “Even if most of Friday night’s game was backups versus backups, here’s further proof that the Patriots roster is improving: New England eclipsed the 40-point mark in a game for the first time in 62 contests. That includes the preseason, regular season, and one playoff game. It’s been over three and a half years since we’ve seen the Patriots offense hang 40-plus points on an opponent … that was with Josh McDaniels as the Offensive Coordinator”.
The following players didn’t dress for the Pre-season game: WR Stefon Diggs, CB Christian Gonzalez, DT Christian Barmore, CB Carlton Davis, LB Harold Landry, OT Morgan Moses, LB K’Lavon Chaisson, WR Kendrick Bourne, LB Jahlani Tavai, OT Vederian Lowe, T/G Caedan Wallace, and G Sidy Sow.
I failed to mention the 62-yard Kickoff return by Antonio Gibson. Any other game, and that would have been the highlight on Special Teams. This was a great night for Jeremy Springer’s Special Teams Units.
Speaking of Special Teams, what about the Kicking Competition! John Parker-Romo hit a 57-yard line-drive Field Goal while Andy Borrgales hit a 22-yarder. Each kicker made three Extra Point attempts apiece. No one is giving an inch. I thought Romo’s Kickoffs were better than Borregales. That may be the difference. Either way, whoever loses this competition will not be out of a job for too long. If waived, they will be claimed. Trading one of them would be a smart idea. I think Washington could need a kicker after Matt Gay missed a chip-shot Field Goal.
The Patriots’ pass rush didn’t have a sack, which was very disappointing. Joshua Farmer had 2 pressures, Elijah Ponder 1, Truman Jones 1, and Khyiris Tonga 1.
Some interesting observations: Anfernee Jenning played late into the 4th Quarter, which isn’t a good sign for a veteran player. Kyle Dugger didn’t start with the 1st team Defense. Marte Mapu was running with the 3rd team Defense. Dell Pettus had a good, hard hit, something he is known for. However, he was the 3rd SS, and he lost his Personal Protector role on the Punt Team to Craig Woodson. Woodson was the co-leader in tackles for the game. He had two tackles on Special Teams and played multiple positions on defense (FS and CB).
Tough Break for Lan Larison
Larison is one tough cowboy. He broke his foot earlier in the game and finished playing on it. He needs surgery. Larison was seen in a walking boot after the game Friday. The Patriots placed Larison on IR today and he will be lost for the season. He had a really good game Friday Night and scored a TD. Averaging 5.0 yards per carry, Larison had 35 yards on 7 carries and 2 catches for another 9 yards. The UDFA was projected to make the 53-man roster. Larison signed a 3-year $2.990M contract, which included $175K of guaranteed money, a large amount for an UDFA. That guarantee indicated that he was very sought after as an UDFA out of Cal Davis.
According to Patriots Wire “UC Davis coach Tim Plough, who coached Larison in college, said he received a phone call from his star running back during the draft. Initially, Plough thought Larison was calling to tell him that he had been drafted, but he was actually calling to say he had already decided he was going to sign with the Patriots”.
“He was calling me to say he already decided he was going to be a Patriot,” Plough said, via NESN’s Sean T. McGuire. “And I’m like, ‘Well, you might still get drafted, Lan.’ And he’s like, ‘Well, yeah, that’s if I don’t get drafted. …It was just pretty funny to hear him say he already knows it’s the Patriots when the draft isn’t even over yet.”
Deneric Prince Signed
RB Deneric Prince was signed to replace Lan Larison on the roster. This past spring, Prince played for the Memphis Showboats of the UFL. The 6’ 214-pound back ran a 4.41 40 and a 6.97 3-come drill at his Pro Day.
In his senior year at Tulsa in 2022, Prince ran for 734 yards on 127 carries and 5 TDs. He also caught 9 passes for another 84 yards.
Prince went Undrafted in the 2023 draft and signed with the Kansas City Chief. He was waived at the cutdown date but re-signed with the Chiefs’ Practice Squad. He appeared in two games for the Chiefs. As a member of the Super Bowl Champion Chiefs, he received a Super Bowl Champion ring that season. In 2024, he signed a futures contract with KC but didn’t make the team as a late cut at the cutdown date. The Miami Dolphins signed him to their Practice Squad.
Patriots Sign DE Jereme Robinson, Waive S Josh Minkins
He stands 6’3” 255-pounds from Kansas. He went Undrafted in the 2025 Draft and was signed by Chicago. He is another edge who had five years of College experience and a big frame. Over five seasons with the Jayhawks, he played in 53 games and didn’t miss game action over the past three years. He finished with a career-high 5.5 sacks as well as 22 tackles, nine for a loss in 2024. He ran a 4.84 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. Robinson was named All-Big 12 honorable mention last season.
Practice 13, Final Public Practice
Out: CB Christian Gonzalez, LB Jahlani Tavai, OG Sidy Sow, WR Kendrick Bourne, WR Ja’Lynn Polk, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, S Josh Minkins (waived), DE Elijah Ponder, RB Lan Larison (IR).
Back: Carlton Davis, K’Lavon Chaisson, Morgan Moses
Limited: DT Christian Barmore, TE Hunter Henry.
New injuries: LB Marte Mapu, CB DJ James, OT Marcus Bryant.
This practice was heavy on Red Zone work. The Defense gave up 5 Red Zone scores against Washington. They came back with a vengeance today. The 1st Team Offense was totally out of sync. Maye was particularly bad going 5/12 in 11’s and 4/7 in 7’s. Dobbs was 8/12 in 11’s with a few TDs.
Pass Breakups: Craig Woodson (Maye), Marcus Jones 2 (Maye), Carlton Davis (Maye), Alex Austin (Dobbs)
Woodson admitted that he pinned a would-be Interception on the ground.
Screwed up assignments and dropped balls highlighted the day. According to Greg Bedard, “the final drive started at the 45 with 1:05 on the clock and one timeout. Maye connected with Pop Douglas on first down, but it appeared K’Lavon Chaison beat Will Campbell for a sack. Completions to Boutte and Douglas (short to pick up 2nd and 2) around a Maye scramble put them in goal to go with 14 seconds left. Maye threw high to Mack Hollins, Jones knocked away a good pass to Hollins, and then Diggs dropped the final play.
Kyle Dugger ran with 2nd team defense as Craig Woodson started with Jabril Peppers and Jaylinn Hawkins. This is not a good sign. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe thinks that Dugger may be a surprise cut. The Patriots will have to eat most of his $9.75M contract for this year. Perhaps, in a trade, the Patriots could pay for part of his salary in exchange for a draft pick. If they waive him completely, the team would be on the hook for whatever the difference is between his contract and what he signed for. They will save $1M on the cap.
Kicking Competition:
Parker Romo 4-4
Borregales 3-4
Romo has a slight edge, especially after his 57-yard FG on Friday Night. I also thought that Romo’s Kickoffs were much better than Borregales.
One-on-One
Campbell 2-0 versus Keion White
Jared Wilson 3-0 versus Pharms, Williams and Tonga
Bradyn Swinson 3-0
Chism with Catch of the Day
It was one-on-one against Marcus Jones in very tight coverage to the back corner of End Zone. Dobbs placed it high and Chism went up and snatched it with Jones all over him. He took it to the ground wrestling it away from Jones for TD.
Upcoming Schedule
Monday, August 11: 10:15 am. (closed to public)
Tuesday, August 12: OFF/Travel to Minnesota
Wednesday, August 13: Joint practice at Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
Thursday, August 14: Joint practice at Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
Friday, August 15: OFF
Saturday, August 16: Patriots at Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
WR Isaac TeSlaa: Everyone who followed me for my draft coverage knew how much I loved TeSlaa**.** This from Mike Girardi “He was a surprise 3rd round pick by Detroit, the wide receiver out of Arkansas has delivered the goods since arriving in Motown. After a strong spring, he had a couple of catches (22 and 24 yards) in the Hall of Fame game and also delivered a vicious block on a touchdown, endearing himself to Dan Campbell. It’s early, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility that TeSlaa is the team’s third receiver when camp breaks”. TeSlaa was taken right after Kyle Williams.
Did the Patriots take the wrong receiver again? TeSlaa stands 6’4” 214-pounds with 10” hands, and ran a 4.43 40 with a 6.85 3-cone drill. His overall Relative Athletic Score (RAS) was 9,96 out of 10. Williams ran slightly faster at 5’11”, 190-pounds, 8 3/4” hands, and a 4.40 40 yard dash. Williams didn’t run a 3-come drill.
About Mark Morse
Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.
View all posts by Mark Morse
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