The rain kept the fans away from Gillette Stadium on Monday, but the New England Patriots did not let the weather kill the energy. Inside the Field House, the team moved into full pads for their eighth practice of the summer. The session was closed to the public, yet the intensity was high enough to make a strong statement about the team’s mindset.
A.J. Brown proved he is built for this grind. The veteran wide receiver suffered a dislocated left thumb early in the session during a 1-on-1 drill against Christian Gonzalez. He popped the finger back in himself and stayed in the game. He finished with four catches on five targets. This is the kind of toughness a championship team needs right now.
Hollins Steps Up Big
Mack Hollins was the standout of the day. While other receivers drew early attention, Hollins took center stage in the two-hour session. He led all receivers with five catches and three touchdowns during 11-on-11s. He worked as a second-string option behind A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, and DeMario Douglas. Regardless of the route assigned, he secured his matchups. Pats Pulpit reported that while he dropped his sole end zone target from Drake Maye, this was the only flaw in an otherwise strong performance.
His partner in crime, Efton Chism III, also made his mark. Chism saw time with Maye and the top offense while Kyle Williams was limited. He caught three passes in team drills, including a high-point touchdown over Marcellas Dial. The chemistry between these two is a bright spot for the depth chart.
Defensive Gains and Losses
The defense had mixed results in the red zone drills. Rookie cornerbacks Channing Canada and Karon Prunty got a chance to play with the starters since Carlton Davis remains sidelined. Canada allowed just one catch on three targets and won a 1-on-1 against Romeo Doubs. A.J. Brown’s fade route received effective coverage from Prunty. However, veteran CB Kindle Vildor had a rough day. Mack Hollins scored on a fade touchdown to beat him, and he lost practice repetitions to younger teammates.
Rookie pass rusher Gabe Jacas increased his participation level. In a single one-on-one drill, he defeated depth tackle Lorenz Metz along the edge. The coaching staff is pushing him hard. He even got a playful tackle from OLB coach Mike Smith after a bullrush. These small wins matter for a roster battle that is heating up.
Their ninth practice session begins on Tuesday when the Patriots return to the practice fields. The team needs to carry this competitive edge into the second week of camp. A.J. Brown’s willingness to play through pain sets the tone. If the rest of the roster matches that grit, the Patriots will be ready for the season opener. Do you think Hollins can hold onto his spot once the full offense is healthy?
