The New England Patriots were focused on making use of their running backs on Thursday during Day 2 of training camp. The offense ran a higher volume of running plays, screen passes and check-downs to the flat. That made for a quieter session of practice. It also helped tease what’s to come on Monday: contact. That’s when the team begins to truly evaluate its players, when they stop hitting each other with foam shields and start hitting each other.
In the meantime, New England is still installing its playbook and teaching the system — even if 11-on-11 drills are already starting to feel highly competitive between the offense and defense.
Here’s a wrap-up of all the important happenings at camp on Thursday.