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    Sloppy day, both on and off the field, for Patriots

    By Tom Carroll,

    29 days ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4A8YqJ_0uh2lN8900

    Monday marked the Patriots’ first day practicing in full pads this training camp season.

    It also marked a day filled with sloppy offensive execution, and public displays of contractual contention with veteran defensive linemen.

    Matthew Judon was out on the field, but was not wearing pads and did not take part in drills. He was seen having an animated conversation with both executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and director of player personnel Matt Groh. He was also seen having two separate conversations with head coach Jerod Mayo, one of which while sitting on top of a bin.

    After practice, we also saw Davon Godchaux having conversations worth noting. First, with his agent Drew Rosenhaus, and then with both Rosenhaus and Mayo.

    Earlier in training camp, both Judon and Godchaux individually voiced their displeasure with their current contract situations. Both players’ deals are up after this season, making them unrestricted free agents. Both players have said they want to be in New England long-term, and are looking for deals that will make that happen at top-dollar.

    After day one of training camp, Judon held an impromptu press conference, where he said, “I mean, I’ve got to [practice], honestly. I signed the deal, my signature on it, so I’ve got to play on it.”

    And in the days following these comments, he was a standout on the defensive side of the ball. Multiple big plays and pressures to his name during eleven-on-elevens, and even a pick-six off Drake Maye.

    But the tune has clearly changed for the four-time pro bowl edge rusher.

    “I don’t know too much about the contract details, but I know we’re a better team when [Mathew Judon] is on the field,” veteran defensive lineman Armon Watts told the media after practice.

    So with the defense missing arguably their best player, logic would say the Patriots’ offense would take full advantage and have a big day.

    This was not the case.

    Pre-snap penalties, bad drops, and a poor outing from Maye plagued the offense throughout day five.

    We saw multiple offensive players sent to do laps around the field after avoidable mistakes, and even saw the entire offensive unit do a lap together after what veteran running back Antonio Gibson described after practice as not “hustling out to the ball.”

    Adding to the woes, this was Maye’s worst day of camp so far.

    Maye was 3-of-11 with an interception and a sack. He closed out practice with four straight incompletions.

    Through the first four days, we saw multiple big throws and big plays throughout seven-on-sevens, 11-on-11s, and one-on-ones between receivers and defensive backs. On Monday, there were no highlights to speak of for the rookie quarterback.

    Overall, it was a shaky day for an organization that has prided itself on stability and professionalism over the last 20 years under former head coach Bill Belichick.

    Contract disputes out for the world to see, a brand new offense looking very much so like a brand new offense, and a long road ahead for a first-year head coach looking to establish a foundation .

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