The New England Patriots finally put on full pads on Thursday, and the intensity jumped a notch. This was not the slow walkthrough from Wednesday. It was real football. The main event was cornerback Christian Gonzalez going head-to-head with the newly acquired A.J. Brown. Gonzalez won the battle. He covered Brown on a deep target that fell incomplete and took both goal-line reps in 2-on-2 drills. The only time Brown got the better of him was a late two-minute drill where a perfect throw led to a catch despite tight coverage.
Gonzalez and Brown Trade Barbs
This matchup was ugly in the best way possible. The two teammates got into a heated verbal exchange after a pass breakup in the end zone. Gonzalez knows exactly what he is doing here. He intends to confront powerful receivers who charge directly at him. This is the kind of fire the Patriots need. Brown is a star, and Gonzalez is not backing down.
Bryant Steps Up at Left Tackle
With Will Campbell sitting out again with a brace on his arm, the team needed a new starting left tackle. They found one in Marcus Bryant. The sophomore looked ready for the role. The fact that Bryant replaced Campbell instead of first-round rookie Caleb Lomu speaks volumes. Bryant is the current LT2 and he looked the part. Lomu only worked with the third-stringers at left tackle and played second-string right tackle behind Morgan Moses. It is surprising to see Lomu behind Bryant at his college position from Utah, but the field tells the real story.
Jacas Shows His Power
Rookie edge rusher Gabe Jacas is making his presence felt. Within fewer than seven days of making his NFL practice debut, the second-round selection got his initial snaps alongside the starting defensive unit. He beat Lomu at one point and showed off his size and speed. He did not just get the better of a fellow rookie; he took a step forward. According to Pats Pulpit, he showed his power especially when lined up versus the second-stringers. This is the kind of depth the defense needs to survive the long season.
The Patriots are building a roster that can handle the hits. Gonzalez and Brown are setting the tone. Bryant is solidifying the line. The question now is if they can keep this up when the pads come off for real. Can the defense hold up when the season starts? Let me know who you think will break out next in the comments.
