Flags and ice buckets fly: Notes from Practice

Star linebacker Jerod Mayo was not present for today's workout. The reason for his absence is not known yet, as it was his first missed practice of training camp. In his absence, Dont'a Hightower shifted to an inside linebacker role, with rookie Darius Fleming getting some first team reps at outside linebacker.

Aaron Dobson and Dominique Easley were both on the field in full pads for the first time this summer, but neither did much beyond individual drills. Easley reportedly took place in 1 on 1 pass rushing drills (I was unable to confirm this), which is certainly a positive sign for his recovery. Dobson looked fine going through warm-ups and positional drills, but didn't partake in 1 on 1s or the team portion of practice. Seems like the team is still being cautious with both players.

Rob Gronkowski was not sporting a red no-contact jersey, but the star tight end didn't take part in any full contact or team drills. They are still being cautious with him.

Positional battles:

Backup quarterback

Ryan Mallett was back on the field for the Patriots, but got very little work in, as Jimmy Garoppolo got most of the work running the second string offense. Garoppolo continued to build on a strong week of practice since his impressive preseason debut last week, with a beautiful strike over the middle to Josh Boyce standing out as a highlight.

Safety

Tavon Wilson was present but not in pads today. Despite this, it was Patrick Chung, not Duron Harmon, getting the majority of the work with the first string defense next to Devin McCourty. Harmon has long been presumed the starter at strong safety, but he appears to be facing some real competition for that role.

Harmon might have some company in falling down the depth chart, as fellow Rutgers alum Logan Ryan saw far more time with the 2's than the 1's today. Taking advantage was preseason superstar Malcolm Butler, who was the first sub in for Brandon Browner at corner. Neither Harmon or Ryan showed particularly well last week against the Redskins, with the pair being responsible for an early touchdown. They may lose playing time down the road if they don't pick up their play.

Offensive line

The team continues to shuffle around the offensive line this training camp, with a number of veterans playing in a number of different roles. At one point, Brady took the field with Marcus Cannon at left tackle, Sebastien Vollmer at right tackle and Nate Solder resuming his rookie role as an extra big blocking tight end. Both Ryan Wendell and Dan Connolly got reps at center as well, and Josh Kline got some reps at right guard with the first team as well. This shuffling should help the Pats come up with their best starting five going into the season, while also developing depth and versatility should injuries force players to fill in at unfamiliar positions.

Highlights

• Kenbrell Thompkins beat public enemy #1 Cary Williams for a nice fingertips grab down the sideline. The record-setting crowd of 25,317 let the Eagles corner have it, with a "Cary, Cary" chant briefly bringing Bruins clashes with Canadiens goalie Carey Price to mind.
• Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman toyed with the Eagles cornerbacks during one on one drills, with each making several beautiful grabs down the field. Edelman repeatedly got the better of Bradley Fletcher, while Edelman at one point completely turned Malcolm Jenkins around with a great double move.
• Ryan Wendell(!) of all people showed up with a leaping, one handed touchdown grab on a fake field goal at the end of practice. Needless to say, the crowd (and his teammates on the offensive line) went wild.
• The entire Patriots team, included Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft, ended practice by completing the ALS ice bucket challenge. Pretty cool scene.  

Other notes:

• NFL official John Parry and his crew are on hand in Foxborough this week for joint practices and Friday's preseason game. Prior to practice, Parry met the press and said that Belichick had asked his crew to call practice tightly, with an emphasis on gaining clarity on the new threshold on illegal contact and pass interference. The officials obliged, with yellow flags flying throughout practice. The Patriots certainly seemed to get more called on them than the Eagles, including Darrelle Revis, who got two calls against him.
• Speaking of Revis, questions of whether Revis Island will become Revis hemisphere could be premature. Brandon Browner stayed in his comfort zone at right corner all practice, but Revis shadowed the Eagles top receiver, Jeremy Maclin, throughout practice, ranging from outside duties to a few snaps in the slot. At times Revis showed his shutdown form, but he was also beaten handily by Maclin for a touchdown (although it looked like he may have released the Eagles receiver in a blown zone coverage).