5 takeaways from Day 2 of Patriots training camp

A few thoughts on the right-tackle battle, Davon Godchaux' absence, how the QBs fared and more.

The flashy catches and big throws that stood out during Day 1 of the Patriots’ training camp were practically non-existent during Day 2.

The Patriots put more pressure on Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye on Thursday, and the quarterbacks adapted by sticking with the short game.

Neither quarterback threw an interception, but there likely would have been plenty of sacks if these scrimmages were real game action.

The Patriots are still figuring things out on the offensive line, and the defense took advantage with a stronger showing than the day before.

Here are five takeaways from the action.

Godchaux out

Defensive lineman Davon Godchaux did not practice on Thursday.

He was not spotted during the beginning of practice but eventually arrived after the action got underway.

It is unclear whether the late arrival had anything to do with Godchaux’s contract situation. He is in the final year of his contract and told his social media followers that he hoped he would be able to reach a new deal with the Patriots.

While he sat out Thursday’s practice, Godchaux did participate the day before.

Linebacker Matthew Judon, who is also unhappy with his contract situation, was a full participant on both days.

Pressure is on for QBs

Judon set the tone early during 11-on-11 scrimmages when he charged into the backfield and forced a hurried throw from Jacoby Brissett.

A couple of plays later, a play-action pass fell incomplete and was followed by a scramble from Brissett after the pocket collapsed. The veteran adjusted and found Tyquan Thornton and KJ Osborn for several short completions.

Maye felt the pressure too. His early reps of 11-on-11 included a keeper up the middle, a check-down to the running back, and a handoff. One of his better throws went over the middle to Ja’Lynn Polk who made a nice grab.

Overall both quarterbacks were accurate, but neither made any huge plays.

Right tackle up for grabs

So far through two days of training camp, the part of the Patriots offensive line that seems to have the most continuity is the middle.

David Andrews can pretty much be penciled in at center. The versatile Mike Onwenu, who played right tackle last year, has spent time most of his time lining up at guard. Sidy Sow has gotten consistent looks at the other guard spot.

It’s the tackles, particularly the right-tackle spot that are in question. On Thursday, Vederian Lowe took first-team reps at right tackle. New England gave Calvin Anderson a look at that spot on Wednesday.

Anderson, who is fully healthy after missing most of last season while battling malaria, said his time in the hospital changed his perspective on both football and life.

“I definitely think I’m different,” Anderson said. “Different for the better, of course, I may be biased on that but I have so much more perspective on life, on the game, on my opportunity to play the game. You just take so much less for granted, especially now being back healthy … It’s easier to put a smile on your face and be excited about running hills.”

Gonzalez remembers fallen Vikings player

Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez took a moment to remember Khyree Jackson, the 24-year-old Vikings cornerback who died in a car crash earlier this month.

Jackson and Gonzalez did not play together at Oregon, but Gonzalez was one of the players who helped Jackson during his transition when he transferred from Alabama to Oregon.

“He was going through his transfer process and I was going through the combine process so I was back in Oregon,” Gonzalez said. “They had me host him for his official visit so I got to hang out with him for a couple of days.”

“Everything y’all have seen about his energy, its true. He always had a smile on his face. He told me he was going to come to Oregon for a year and then we were going to meet in the league. Then he did what he did. It’s extremely sad. Prayers out to his family.”

New players’ lounge

The Patriots have a new spot to hang out at during their downtime, according to rookie receiver Ja’Lynn Polk.

“They just created a players’ lounge for us so when we have our free time in between meetings and stuff like that,” Polk said. “We’ve got the pool table and stuff like that in the players’ lounge so we do a lot of team bonding outside of the field that nobody sees.”