FOXBORO — Big days round Gillette Stadium are often reserved for December and January.
Playoff video games or regular-season video games with playoff implications, these are the times that permit the perpetually current Patriots to peek forward on their calendars. But after all, occasions are altering in Foxboro.
Busy putting in a brand new offense as they open a brand new period, the Pats are gearing up for a pair important days this week. No, not video games. Not even a preseason sport.
Joint, padded practices with the Panthers on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“I think this will be our first test. Tomorrow will be our first big test,” Patriots left deal with Trent Brown stated of Tuesday’s observe. “With Game 1 three weeks away, tomorrow will be a nice gauge to see where we are and see what we need to do before Week 1.”
Pats large receiver Kendrick Bourne agreed.
Bourne and Brown had been two of the greater than two dozen gamers who sat out final week’s preseason opener towards the Giants, when the teaching employees opted to as a substitute play rookies and backups. Historically, the Patriots have weighed participant performances throughout joint practices simply as closely, if not heavier, than these in preseason video games when roster-building. This week, the Pats’ offensive and defensive starters will probably be pitted towards the Panthers’ prime expertise in 1-on-1 drills and group settings.
“It’s a good test. We played Carolina last year, it was a good game,” Bourne stated, referencing the Pats’ 24-6 win in Charlotte. “I know they’re going to come here with a lot of good energy.”
Before Monday’s observe, Pats coach Bill Belichick detailed the advantages of joint practices, which the group has been holding for roughly a decade.
“We’ll see some different X’s and O’s, but also maybe techniques on the way guys pass-rush or route-running or things like that. And, I would say, less predictability of practice,” he stated. “We form of know what’s on the opposite facet of the ball and what we are able to and may’t do. Some issues we aren’t going to see from the other facet of the ball. With a brand new group, the whole lot’s form of new.
“So it keeps you on your toes and forces more communication and more awareness. And we need that.”
Patriots large receivers coach Ross Douglas famous that the Panthers run a zone-heavy defensive scheme, a stark distinction from the blitz-happy Giants final week. The Giants primarily performed man protection as they blitzed on half of the Patriots’ passing performs over the ultimate three quarters.
“They will play their man (coverage), but they’re bigger and faster and longer in the secondary,” Douglas stated. “(Panthers safety) Jeremy Chinn is a big, longer guy, Donte’ Jackson and C.J. Henderson have some length and speed. So it’ll be a good challenge for us.”
Last season, Carolina’s protection ranked fifteenth by Football Outsiders’ opponent-and-situation-adjusted metric DVOA. Pro Bowl defensive finish Brian Burns leads a robust entrance, whereas former prime picks, together with defensive deal with Derrick Brown, linebacker Shaq Thompson and cornerback Jaycee Horn, are scattered throughout the unit.
Practices will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, earlier than the groups go head-to-head in a Friday evening preseason sport. Kickoff from Gillette Stadium is about for 7 p.m.
Source: www.bostonherald.com