The deep passing game was absolutely cooking at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday, with the Patriots returning to the fields for their ninth training camp practice. Fans watching got a show, no doubt, seeing Kayshon Boutte, A.J. Brown, and Mack Hollins just making play after play downfield. These three top-level receivers were everywhere, proving how vital they are to this offense and how much trust they’ve already earned. Boutte led the team in receptions during team drills with five catches, while Brown and Hollins weren’t far behind, each hauling in four receptions.
Receivers Showing Out: Deep Threats and Dependability
Kayshon Boutte definitely did some damage out there, especially against the second-string defense. Even though he’s technically the WR4 behind Brown, Romeo Doubs, and DeMario Douglas, it is super clear that both Drake Maye and Tommy DeVito trust this dude big time. He rewarded that trust with multiple downfield grabs, even clutch catches in both quarterbacks’ two-minute drill situations. And Hollins? He made a huge play on a deep sideline shot from DeVito that would have been a 40-plus-yard touchdown in a real game. The veteran has been consistently productive over the last two days, cementing his role as a key target when they need him most. What about Brown, the offseason trade pickup? He showed zero signs of limitation from that dislocated thumb he picked up on Monday. He looked just as impressive as he did before the injury, catching all four of his targets, including three slants from Maye. This passing game is coming together, and it’s exciting to watch.
Emerging Talent and Defensive Pressure
It wasn’t just the offense making noise. Running back Terrell Jennings is back from the non-football injury list and jumped right into the thick of it during his second practice. He’s already working with the top punt team and got reps as the first running back with the second-stringers, taking over the spot previously held by Lan Larison, who’s still ahead of Jam Miller. That tells you a lot about the current pecking order, and it’s a big move for Jennings. On the defensive side, Dre’Mont Jones and Elijah Ponder, that pass rush duo, had a seriously productive day. Jones was lining up all over the defensive line and registered a couple of would-be sacks plus another pressure on Drake Maye. Ponder was also bringing consistent pressure from the edge and even broke up a Maye pass intended for Hunter Henry. These guys are going to be a problem for opposing offenses.
There’s still a long way to go in training camp, but seeing these guys flash like this is exactly what you want. These performances are building momentum, and it’s going to be wild to see how these competitions and connections keep developing. You just know these guys are itching for the regular season to kick off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
Leave a Reply