Pats deal with brutal heat
Players know it’s part of the program
FOXBORO — Before training camp opened, two of the Patriots’ veteran leaders shared their unfiltered feelings regarding the month-long grind.
“No one likes training camp,” Pats safety Devin McCourty said.
“I’d be lying if I said I enjoy it,” linebacker Dont’a Hightower added.
And that’s especially true when Massachusetts is in the midst of a brutal heat wave.
The Pats took the field Wednesday for their sixth practice of the summer, and temperatures spiked into the 90s before the session concluded.
As Tom Brady said, the conditions are “part of the challenge.”
“Whether it’s like this in late July, August, or whether it’s freezing cold in December, January, February, you’ve just got to figure out how to deal with it,” Brady said. “The elements are a factor — we’re not basketball players, we’re not hockey players — we deal with the elements. You’ve got to deal with the heat, and there’s probably, between a 90-degree day and what we dealt with in Kansas City last year, which was, I don’t know, five degrees? I mean, that’s an 85-degree difference. So you’ve just got to figure out how to deal with those elements the best you can.”
The Patriots are slated to visit Miami in Week 2, so the heat wave might help them in the long run.
“This definitely can prepare you,” running back James White said. “Just hydrate, just work as hard as possible because during game time you’re going to be going 100 percent, so try to practice at 100 percent and try to get in that good football shape.”
The Pats don’t get much of a break before heading to Detroit for joint practices. Temperatures are expected to reach the high 80s on Thursday and Friday.
Michel ramps up
Running back Sony Michel seems to be progressing.
Michel, who opened camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, took reps in competitive 11-on-11 drills for the first time this summer. On one carry, Michel displayed impressive burst and change-of-direction skills. The second-year pro is returning from an offseason knee scope. …
Offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn (Achilles) continues to come along slowly. Wynn took a few reps at left tackle in a half-speed positional drill but did not compete in 11-on 11s. Dan Skipper saw the bulk of left tackle reps once again, with Joe Thuney manning his usual left guard spot. …
Center David Andrews, who missed the first two practices of camp, saw an increase in work. Andrews participated in one-on-one drills (and stonewalled defensive tackle Mike Pennel on one rep) and was mixed in for 11-on-11s. …
Wide receiver Dontrelle Inman and defensive tackle Byron Cowart (quad) returned after missing the past few practices. …
Tight end Lance Kendricks exited practice, walking alongside a member of the training staff.
Secondary shines
The secondary got the best of the wide receivers on Wednesday, as Jonathan Jones (three pass breakups) and rookie Joejuan Williams (two) turned in their best performances of the summer.
Jones has been consistent throughout camp. Williams, though, has struggled at times. On Wednesday, he stuck with Phillip Dorsett on a deep corner route and broke up the pass. In the final period, he got a hand on a short pass intended for Maurice Harris.
“I feel like he’s getting better every day,” Pats cornerback Stephon Gilmore said. “He’s asking questions. Whatever we can to help him become a good player for our team to help our team win, that’s what we want to do.” …
Rookie receiver N’Keal Harry endured some tough moments. He committed four drops in total, three of which came in team drills.
In 11-on-11 hurry-ups, the final period of the afternoon, Harry failed to haul in a wellplaced ball on an out route.
Earlier, Harry couldn’t secure the ball while running free on a shallow crossing route.
In one-on-ones, secondyear corner J.C. Jackson got the best of Harry on a comeback along the sideline.
Overall, this was not the finest outing for the offense.
“It’s got to be a lot better, personally, collectively,” tight end Ben Watson said. “You guys were here. You watched it. We watched it. We participated in it. You get one opportunity a day, and you hate to come out and waste it, so to speak.”