Rivers runs through it . . . to QB
PATS WILL TRAVEL IN THEIR OWN JUMBO JETS: PAGE 17
PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK
FOXBORO — Rookie defensive end Derek Rivers has a steep learning curve, and that was evident early in training camp when the Patriots broke out the pads for live contact.
But during the past two practices against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Rivers showed tangible strides. That level of noticeable improvement indicated the Pats’ top draft pick could make an impact in 2017.
“There are still a lot of things I’ve got to get better (at),” Rivers said. “It’s starting to slow down a little bit, but that just comes with experience, just comes with each rep. It’s been a blessing so far.”
While rotating with the starting defense in an early 11-on-11 period yesterday, Rivers rushed around the right side of the offensive line to sack Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles. Rivers added a pressure later in the workout.
The third-round pick is making a significant jump from college at Youngstown State, so the offensive tackles that he rushes against are far more fundamentally sound than anyone he’s ever seen. And at 6-foot-4 and 248 pounds, he has to add more strength to his frame to keep up with NFL blockers.
Those hurdles were anticipated by the Pats and led to his falling to the third round.
One factor in his favor: Rivers is consistently among the last group of players to leave the field after practice. He routinely stays behind with defensive linemen Trey Flowers and Deatrich Wise, and Rivers said he has already felt the impact with his pass-rushing moves.
“It’s more or less just about putting in that time,” Rivers said. “It’s all about sacrifice and studying. It’s not that bad. Just study. That’s it.”
Rivers figures to get a ton of playing time tomorrow night in the preseason opener against the Jaguars at Gillette Stadium. The first chance to put those strides to use in a game atmosphere will also be his most important test yet.
“Man, awesome, I can’t wait,” a beaming Rivers said of his preseason debut. “It’ll be fun, that first experience. I remember how it was my first game of college and even in high school. I’m just excited to see what it looks like when those lights are on. Just being on that sideline is just a blessing.”
Gronkowski steps up
Tight end Rob Gronkowski had his most impressive practice of training camp, as he caught seven passes, including six touchdowns. Six of those catches (five touchdowns) were on throws from Tom Brady.
Gronkowski opened the workout with four touchdowns in the first 7-on-7 period. He closed practice with his most impressive catch of the day, a tightly contested back-shoulder grab that set up a field goal in a late-game situation.
On Monday, he dropped his first two passes of camp (team drills only), so this performance served as a nice way to bounce back and a firm reminder that Gronkowski can go off at a moment’s notice.
Ups and downs
When his third-string offense failed to score a touchdown on the final play of practice, Patriots coach Bill Belichick was the first to hit the ground.
The teams’ defensive backups had a small wager: The losing group had to rip off 10 pushups. This isn’t out of the ordinary during practice, but it was an eyepopper to see Belichick hit the ground so fast. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett and the other backups joined Belichick to the delight of the Jaguars in a fun way to close the workout.
There’s a measure of accountability, too. Not that Belichick has anything to prove to anybody, but something like this is always meaningful to his players. And on the heels of an earlier episode in practice when Belichick barked at his backup defense to run a lap around the full perimeter of the practice fields, it was an example that the full unit involved in any drill has to pay the piper.