Michel catches on to pass
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — With each practice, home or away, Sony Michel is looking more comfortable in the passing game.
His presence in that regard was pretty much nonexistent during his rookie campaign. He ran effectively between the tackles, but was hardly utilized as a receiver out of the backfield.
Now that he’s able to be a full participant in training camp, something that didn’t happen last year, more is being added on his plate.
“I just want to keep improving,” Michel said yesterday after the workouts with the Lions. “I’ll always be a running back. Whatever coach asks of us . . . . It’s always smart to work on all aspects of your game.”
Michel was more of a dual threat in college. He caught 64 passes for 621 yards with six TDs during his time at Georgia, so he didn’t just run the football.
The fact he’s pretty much been active the entire training camp, unlike last year when he was forced to shut it down after another knee procedure, has benefited him.
“I think it’ll just help me overall, just as a football player going into the season, being ready physically, mentally,” Michel said. “In camp, you get to get those reps, you get to get your conditioning going. Last year I missed those things, so it was harder for me to get going a little bit. I think this year it can help a little bit and prepare me for the season.”
Michel indicated learning the passing game in the pros is different than college. The systems and schemes are different, so that adds to the learning curve. But he’s getting on board.
“You can go to any different team anywhere and it’s going to be different. Coach has got different philosophies, they want things done differently,” said Michel. “Here, we got a certain way we want things done. I’m trying to do it to the best of my ability.”
Practice pieces
Wide receiver N’Keal Harry exited during 11-on-11s with a right leg injury. Harry yelled in frustration as he limped to the sideline, where he consulted with head trainer Jim Whalen.
After stretching his right hamstring, the rookie wideout did some light jogging. He continued to rub the back of his right leg as he stood on the sideline.
Harry briefly returned to practice, but did not participate in the final period of the session.
Safety Patrick Chung returned after a one-day absence. He was still wearing the red noncontact jersey.
Running back Rex Burkhead did not practice, but was present. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy, wearing full pads, was not spotted during 11on-11 drills.
Offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn was in the lineup for walkthroughs before the competitive drills began. Per usual, it was Dan Skipper at left tackle when Tom Brady was under center.
Offensively, the highlight of the day was a Brady bomb to Phillip Dorsett in the hurryup drill. The Pats were simulating a situation where they trailed by four points in the final minute of a game. On the first rep, Brady was nearly intercepted while throwing deep for Dorsett, who ripped the ball away from the defender. Two reps later, Brady tried his luck again. Dorsett got behind the secondary and Brady dropped the ball perfectly over his receiver’s shoulder for the score.
Brady was intercepted by Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Mabin in goal line 7-on-7 drills. He was targeting tight end Matt LaCosse, who was running across the field.
Mini-Gronk?
Lions rookie tight end T.J. Hockenson was on the radar for many Patriots fans this past spring.
The Pats needed to replace Rob Gronkowski, who announced his retirement in late March, and Hockenson was widely believed to be one of the best prospects at the position in years.
Of course, the Pats didn’t get anywhere near Hockenson, who came off the board at No. 8 overall.
Matt Patricia is hoping Hockenson can someday emerge as his team’s version of Gronkowski (or at least something in the ballpark).
“Coach Patricia obviously has a relationship with the Patriots for a long time, and it’s cool to be out there with those guys,” Hockenson said. “When I was in college, I watched Gronkowski a lot. I watched (Travis) Kelce .I watched (Zach) Ertz. But being here, I’m just trying to learn the offense and be the best tight end I can be, not really trying to compare my game to anyone.”
Hockenson got the best of the Patriots secondary in a hurry-up drill yesterday, snagging a touchdown grab from Matthew Stafford to cap an easy four-play drive down the field. Patriots safety Patrick Chung was in coverage.
“There’s a lot that goes on in a play like that,” Hockenson said. “(Tight end) Jesse (James) came up the middle. I was able to cut off him. He got me open, basically, and Stafford put the ball right off my break.”