Patriots Camp Report 07.30.23: Line an issue as New England opens it up; Douglas shines

FOXBOROUGH — Practice No. 4 is in the books, let's run down all you need to know: stats, observations, 3 up/down, etc:

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Offensive line a big problem: The good news for the offense was that they got out of the red zone for the first time and were able to open it, which served them well — when the line wasn't leaking like a sieve. Both quarterbacks were sacked six times a piece, there was another that could have been a sack, Mac Jones had to scramble twice (for a TD) and had to throw another away under duress from a blitz. Chasen Hines, Kody Russey/Hines, Riley Reiff, Andrew Stueber, Trent Brown and Cole Strange all got beat badly for sacks/pressures, while Deatrich Wise and Jabrill Peppers came in free. It was a bit of a trainwreck up front.

Demario Douglas continues to stand out: The best receiver of camp to this point has been the sixth-round pick, and it's not even close. His quickness is tough to cover and he's also not close to tapping his potential in the offense as he gains knowledge of the route running system. Douglas even got a dap up from Belichick, and he had a great fingertip catch of a short punt.

Jack Jones sees some first-team time: For the first time in camp, the second-year corner got promoted to the first team in red zone later in practice.

TAKING ATTENDANCE

Physically unable to perform list: OG Mike Onwenu, ST Cody Davis
Non-football injury list: OT Calvin Anderson.
Red non-contact jerseys: S Marte Mapu.
Returned to practice: DL Christian Barmore (personal), DL DaMarcus Mitchell.
Full participants: None.
Out: RB Ty Montgomery, WR Kayshon Boutte.
Limited: LB Terez Hall.
New injuries: None.

DRESS CODE

Helmets, shells.

LENGTH OF PRACTICE

1:30 in the perfect conditions.

QB STATS

Mac Jones: 6 of 9, 3 TDs (one scramble), 3 sacks, throwaway

Bailey Zappe: 8 of 12, 3 TDs, INT, 3 sacks.

Zappe had the interception and another possible pick-six to Jack Jones that was dropped.

STATS

Fumbles: None.
Drops: None.
Pass breakups: Jabrill Peppers, Jack Jones (both vs. Zappe)
Interception: Jack Jones of Zappe.
Sacks: Sam Roberts, Daniel Ekuale, Anfernee Jennings, Deatrich Wise, Matthew Judon, Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Keion White (arguable).

SHANK IT OFF

The punters had their first day of camp and both rookie Bryce Baringer and veteran Corliss Waitman had their highs and lows.

Baringer won the day with an average hang time of 4.78 to Waitman's 4.62. And Baringer had two moon shots over 5 seconds at 5.13 and 5.35 seconds.

TOP PLAY

• Zappe's perfect throw to Tyquan Thornton in the right corner of the end zone over CB Isaiah Bolden.

TWO UP

Demario Douglas: Best offensive weapon to date, maybe outside Hunter Henry.

Tyquan Thornton: Finally got into the mix today with a couple of catches.

THREE DOWN

Marcus Jones: Was victimized on back-to-back touchdowns to Tre Nixon and Douglas.

Jabrill Peppers: Was late covering Rhamondre Stevenson in the flat for a TD and seemed to be involved in a bust TD by the defense.

Chasen Hines: Had a rough time in protection and got run over a few times.

QUICK HITS

• Matthew Judon played 3 team snaps.
• Conor McDermott got most of the work as the starting RT. 
• Jalen Mills got a lot of work at free safety, along with Adrian Phillips. 
• Marte Mapu started at sub linebacker, and then played safety with the second team. 
• Kendrick Bourne still doesn't have a catch, but Mike Geisicki got off the schneid.
• The team has been without safeties coach Brian Belichick as he deals with a significant knee injury. "Brian, we see him every day, well a little bit, he’s been coming in on Zoom,” safety Jalen Mills told reporters. “But Mike (Pellegrino) is doing a really, really good job stepping in ... hopefully, Brian will be back soon.”
• The Patriots reportedly hosted RB Ezekiel Elliott on a free agent. “I’m going to pass (on commenting) on the guys that aren’t on our team," Belichick said.

SCHEDULE

Monday: 9 a.m. (pads).
Tuesday: 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m.
Friday: In-stadium practice, TBA