Patriots defense encouraged by ‘pretty damn good’ practice vs. Eagles

FOXBORO — The Patriots’ new-look offense looked far from game-ready in Tuesday’s joint practice with the Eagles.

The defense, though, came away pleased with the way it performed against a Philadelphia offense that boasts Pro Bowlers at quarterback (Jalen Hurts), running back (Saquon Barkley), wide receiver (A.J. Brown) and offensive tackle (Lane Johnson).

“I think we did a pretty damn good job,” veteran safety Jabrill Peppers said after practice. “I think we competed from every position. They’ve got a guy that can make something happen at every position. They’ve got a good O-line, very big, and they do a lot of eye candy … so you’ve got to read your keys well. I think we needed it. There’s going to be a lot to correct on tape, but I definitely think we needed it today.”

New England was able to generate frequent pressure on the ultra-mobile Hurts, resulting in at least four “sacks” in 11-on-11 drills. Edge rushers Joshua Uche and Oshane Ximines both drew holding calls, and the front seven, led by D-tackles Davon Godchaux and Daniel Ekuale, generally held up well in run defense.

“Philly has a really good O-line,” Godchaux said. “Some would say they’re the best in the league. … I thought we were competitive. I thought we made some great plays. We’ll look at it on film, of course, and we’ll get better from it.”

There were a few breakdowns. Among them: two plays on which the Eagles were able to get pass rusher Matthew Judon isolated in pass coverage, leading to a wheel-route touchdown to Barkley and a healthy gain for Brown along the right sideline. But the Patriots also thwarted a couple of potential scores, with cornerback Alex Austin and safety Jaylinn Hawkins notching pass breakups on Hurts deep balls.

“I don’t think they got it in in two-minute (drill),” Peppers said. “I don’t think they got in in red zone. Maybe one, I think.”

The one player the Patriots consistently struggled to contain was Brown. Philly’s top wideout feasted in the teams’ lone joint practice together, catching 10 of his 11 targets in team periods. His lone incompletion was a Christian Gonzalez pass breakup in 7-on-7s. Brown was a perfect 7-for-7 in full-team 11s, beating Gonzalez once, Judon once, Austin twice and Marco Wilson three times.

Peppers, though, balked at the notion that Brown had a “good day” against New England’s defense.

“I saw him catch two or three passes that would have been complete in a game, but if we could hit, I don’t know if he hangs on to a couple of those,” Peppers said. “He definitely did his thing, but that’s a guy who’s going to do his thing. We’ve just got to figure out a way to slow him down.”

On Brown’s completion against Gonzalez in 11-on-11s – a slant route from the left side – Peppers raised his hands to make clear he was choosing not to hit the in-cutting receiver.

“It’s just being a pro, man,” the hard-hitting safety said. “When I first got in the league, I would have definitely hit him. I’ve been kicked out of a lot of pro practices. So I’ve kind of learned to teach myself how to practice. But that one, that would have been a collision. We’re both two big guys. He has strong hands – maybe he holds on to it, maybe he doesn’t. I don’t know. But based on what I put on tape, I don’t think he holds on to that.”

Peppers still brought his trademark physicality to practice, however, delivering multiple loud run stuffs and decking Kenneth Gainwell while the Eagles running back was blocking on a Barkley carry. Johnson, Philadelphia’s stalwart right tackle, noted Peppers’ explosive hits when asked about the Patriots defensive front.

“I think they’re stout. Really good players,” Johnson said. “Jabrill Peppers came up from safety and smacked a few guys. Really strong guy. But they’re very strong, very technique sound, and if you do any uncharacteristic stuff with your technique, they do take advantage. And that’s really how it’s always been playing these guys.”

Defense was the undisputed strength of last year’s 4-13 Patriots team, and based on how unfinished the offense has looked so far this summer, they’ll again need to keep scores low to compete in Year 1 of the Jerod Mayo era. That group is facing some important questions – stud tackle Christian Barmore is sidelined due to blood clots, though he was present at practice Tuesday for the first time since his diagnosis, and Judon’s contract dispute remains unresolved – but Peppers believes it should be even stronger this season than it was in 2023.

“I think the standard has risen because we’ve played so long together and we’ve shown what we’re capable of,” said Peppers, one of the team’s defensive leaders. “So now I just think we’ve got to take it up a couple notches.”

 

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/8uwZtmO