Patriots Shrine Bowl Practice Day 3: Who's Catching Bill Belichick Attention?
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LAS VEGAS -- The New England Patriots, led by receivers coach Troy Brown, wrapped up their third practice session at the East-West Shrine Bowl in the cold and wet Fertitta Complex at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
Brown stood in front of the microphone, exasperated after a difficult offensive performance that featured three interceptions in team drills and little overall rhythm.
"It was not very impressive offensively," Brown said. "I was proud of the defense out there, the way they played, but offensively, we've got a lot of work to do - wasn't a good day."
Brown added that the offense practiced "pretty well" Saturday and Sunday but remained down on the performance Monday - and he made sure to let them know.
"I tried to explain to them that this is what it's going to be like in the league," Brown told Patriots Country. "You've got to develop some kind of consistency about yourself, your practice habits and all those things, and also you've got to be able to perform in different types of weather - this is normal for us in New England and New York and Buffalo.
"If you can't play in this kind of weather, then it's going to be tough on you."
Here's a full rundown of risers, fallers, injury updates and some on-field praise from the Patriots coaching staff during Monday's practice session ...
Risers
Florida safety Trey Dean III and North Carolina State linebacker Drake Thomas both intercepted a pair of passes, Dean's coming in the team portion while Thomas split his between one-on-one's and 11-on-11.
Dean had his best day of the week, winning some matchups in one-on-ones on top of showing range and instincts to force turnovers later on. Thomas, meanwhile, showed impressive hands and strong feel for body positioning in coverage.
Another defensive back who had a strong outing is Minnesota's Terell Smith, carrying over his momentum from Day 2 by staying in phase with receivers all throughout the session. The West's defensive backs have been stout thus far and Smith has been among the pack leaders.
If Smith hasn't been the best, the honor belongs to UAB's Starling Thomas V, who's undersized at 5-10, 194 pounds but is quick and hyper competitive. He's been the only corner able to stick with Liberty receiver Demario Douglas, one of the best players in attendance at the Shrine Bowl.
Boise State defensive tackle Scott Matlock was perhaps the most impressive defender in offensive line vs. defensive line drills, showing leg drive and significant power in his hands.
On the other side of the ball, Ole Miss offensive tackle Mason Brooks continued his good week, holding up well in pass protection while illustrating clear leadership skills with his new teammates.
Apart from Douglas, the best player on the West's offense was Nebraska tight end Travis Vokolek, known more for being a sure-handed receiver and stout blocker than separator but proved he could create space throughout the session.
UCLA receiver Jake Bobo has improved each day of practice, seemingly gaining comfort and confidence and finishing more consistently at the catch point. He's also been able to gain separation more frequently as a route runner.
The best quarterback was Tommy DeVito of Illinois, as he was precise with his ball placement and was the lone West signal caller not to throw an interception. After a difficult first two days, DeVito took his game to another level Monday.
Rounding out the risers is Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim, the school's all-time leading rusher. Known more as being a physical, downhill runner, Ibrahim showed lateral quickness and reliable hands out of the backfield.
Fallers
It was a nightmare session for quarterbacks Chase Brice (Appalachian State) and Dorian Thompson-Robinson (UCLA).
Brice threw an interception in one-on-ones, two more in team drills and had another close call on a ball that just hit the ground. The former Clemson and Duke passer seemed to be out of sync with his receivers.
Thompson-Robinson also had issues with interceptions and fumbled three snaps, prompting one West defender to shout, "you're too little to be taking the snap." Some on hand believe Thompson-Robinson should move to receiver in the NFL and he shared that one team asked him about a potential switch during interviews.
Minnesota-Duluth guard Brent Laing was on the other end of some of those snaps with Thompson-Robinson, and while Laing has ultimately helped his stock this week, he's left some questions unanswered surrounding his ability to play all three interior spots.
Injury Updates & New Additions
USC running back Travis Dye and Chattanooga defensive tackle Devonnsha Maxwell both departed Las Vegas following practice Sunday to focus on their rehab. Dye arrived injured and watched from the sidelines during the week while Maxwell sustained his injury during the first practice session on Saturday.
Michigan tight end Luke Schoonmaker has also been out all week as he continues to rehab through a shoulder injury suffered in the College Football Playoff loss to TCU. Schoonmaker, however, stayed in Las Vegas and frequented the sidelines Monday. Sources believe Schoonmaker could go anywhere from late second round to early fourth; the NFL is higher on him than the media.
Ohio State cornerback Cameron Brown missed his second consecutive practice with "tightness," as he told Patriots Country, but anticipates being back on the field later this week.
The Shrine Bowl added one player - Arkansas defensive tackle Terry Hampton - to the West team Monday, presumably taking Maxwell's place.
Elsewhere, Boston College receiver Zay Flowers didn't participate Monday and told Patriots Country that he won't suit up for the remainder of Shrine Bowl festivities.
Patriots Staff Says ...
New England's coaches have been more vocal towards the players than the Atlanta Falcons' East team group and delivered plenty of notable lines Monday.
Following a physical fill against an inside running play and stout downfield coverage, one New England staffer went out of his way to tell North Carolina State linebacker Isaiah Moore "nice job" as his teammates swarmed him on the sidelines.
A few moments later, another staffer voiced praise to Indiana cornerback Jaylin Williams, who had a bounce back day in coverage and impressed during special teams drills - to which the coach shouted, "Hell yeah, J-Will!"
Florida receiver Justin Shorter showed the ability to take coaching and quickly implement it the following rep, as one coach criticized his leverage on a special teams snap - which he responded to throwing a dominant block, with the staffer telling him, "Great rep."
Off to the side, Patriots coach Bill Belichick had several conversations with Penn State defensive tackle PJ Mustipher. Belichick has done this with multiple players throughout the week, including Southern Miss cornerback Eric Scott Jr. and Harvard defensive lineman Truman Jones, but not as frequently as with Mustipher.
Prior to the frigid practice, Mustipher was warming up shirtless - of which he told Patriots Country that he "(doesn't) feel the cold" as he played his college ball in the Big Ten. His mindset and coachability is sure to catch eyes around the league ... and seems to have caught Belichick's.
The West team will return to the field at the Las Vegas Raiders practice facility for an 8:15 a.m. session Tuesday, leading into the Shrine Bowl at 8:30 p.m. (EST) on Thursday night.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter at @DFlickDraft
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