Patriots Offense Struggles Against Eagles Defense During Joint Practice Session at Gillette Stadium

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ICARO Media Group
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13/08/2024 21h44

In a highly anticipated joint practice session between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium, both teams showcased their strengths and weaknesses on the field. The Patriots offense faced a formidable challenge against the Eagles' defensive front, with starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett and third-overall pick Drake Maye experiencing pressure in the pocket throughout the two-hour session.

Despite some clean pockets for Brissett, thanks to the top offensive line, downfield opportunities were limited. On the other hand, Maye started off strong, completing his first nine passes flawlessly. However, he struggled during the late team periods, with three sacks occurring within a span of four plays during a two-minute drill that ultimately proved unsuccessful.

While fans may express concerns about the performance of the Patriots' offense, it's important to acknowledge that inconsistencies are expected for a rebuilding roster facing a top-tier NFC contender like the Eagles. However, what stands out as a significant concern are the issues related to controllable aspects of the game. The Patriots were called for nine penalties by the referees present during the session, experienced two bad snaps, and had a botched exchange on a run play.

Head coach Jerod Mayo addressed these concerns before practice, stating that Monday's session was "sloppy" and that improvements were necessary in terms of operation and faster play. He emphasized the need to clean up pre-snap issues that are within the team's control before Week 1.

While there is room for improvement, it's crucial for the Patriots offense to address these miscues and prevent them from becoming a habit. The coaching staff will have a few weeks to rectify these issues before the start of the regular season.

In terms of specific observations from the competitive joint practice session between the Patriots and Eagles, rookie quarterback Drake Maye showcased his potential with a strong start, connecting with rookie wide receiver Javon Baker on two deep passes during 7-on-7 and full-team drills. However, his performance faltered during red-zone work and a two-minute drill that resulted in three sacks.

Maye acknowledged his role in the team's struggles during the hurry-up offense and expressed his determination to improve his performance moving forward. He emphasized the importance of getting the ball out quickly on early downs and avoiding sacks during two-minute drills.

The offensive coordinator, Alex Van Pelt, and his staff aim to develop Maye's game from the pocket, focusing on playing within the offensive structure and improving his consistency as a passer. While Maye's progress as a pocket passer seems promising, it's worth noting that his supporting cast has made it challenging for him to string together positive plays.

Starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett also faced challenges during the practice session, completing 12 out of 24 passes with two interceptions in full-team drills. Brissett faced pressure from both sides but had more opportunities to push the ball downfield from clean pockets. Despite some successful connections with tight end Austin Hooper, Brissett struggled with downfield accuracy on certain throws.

Head coach Jerod Mayo expressed his intention to give rookie quarterback Drake Maye more playing time during Thursday night's preseason game against the Eagles. The upcoming game will provide valuable insights into Maye's development and the overall performance of the Patriots' offense against a quality opponent.

The interior offensive line struggled against the Eagles' defensive tackles, with top guards Mike Onwenu and Sidy Sow facing challenging matchups. This area remains a concern for the offensive line, particularly at the left guard position where rookie fourth-rounder Layden Robinson could potentially push for playing time.

The offensive tackles also faced difficulties during the practice session, with all four top tackles experiencing issues against the Eagles' pass rushers. Chuks Okorafor was noted as the most effective among them. Rookie Caedan Wallace had a notable win against Brandon Graham during one-on-one drills but struggled during team periods alongside the rest of the backup offensive line.

The two-on-two drills, which involved offensive and defensive linemen working together in two-man combinations, proved challenging for the Patriots' offensive line. Additionally, the running game initially struggled with numerous stuffs on outside zone and trap schemes but showed progress later in the session. Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson managed to find openings on toss and pin-pull plays, respectively.

While there may not have been significant separation among the top receivers during 11-on-11 drills, wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk made a notable impression by beating Eagles cornerback Shon Stephens on a go route during one-on-one drills with Maye at quarterback. Polk also showcased his skills with a sharp in-breaker during the same drill. However, it's important to remember that receivers should excel in one-on-one situations.

As both teams continue to prepare for the upcoming season, the joint practice session provided valuable insights into areas of improvement for both the Patriots offense and the Eagles defense. The challenges faced by the Patriots' offensive line and quarterbacks will be closely monitored as they strive for consistency and success throughout the preseason and beyond.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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