Patriots Training Camp 8: Mack Hollins Makes Practice Debut

Attendance

Absent/Did Not Participate: C Garrett Bradbury, RB Antonio Gibson, CB Christian Gonzalez, LB Jahlani Tavai, G Sidy Sow

Physically Unable to Perform: LT Vederian Lowe

Additions: TE Tyler Davis, TE Cole Fotheringham

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Mack Hollins Returns

Mack Hollins made his Patriots debut during today’s walkthrough practice.

The session was a slower-paced and fairly uneventful, but Hollins’ deployment stood out. After missing all of spring and starting summer on the PUP list, the veteran was immediately and heavily involved.

Most of New England’s receivers fall into the category of X (split-end), Z (flanker), or slot, but the veteran lined up at all three spots with mutiple groupings.

Early in practice, Hollins was the primary X alongside Stefon Diggs and DeMario Douglas. Hollins also lined up at Z in a grouping with Kayshon Boutte and in the slot with Kendrick Bourne and Kyle Williams outside.

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is known for moving players around the formation, but this was the first time in camp a receiver has assumed so many roles. Players have also said McDaniels, who spent a season with Hollins in Las Vegas, has used the receiver as teach tape during film sessions. That respect, combined with Hollins’ significant early workload, suggests he could play a key role for the Patriots’ offense this season.

Notebook

• Carlton Davis and Joshua Farmer returned after missing multiple practices.
• Drake Maye has yet to throw an interception in training camp. He told reporters that whlie his goal is always to avoid picks in practice, he’ll still try fitting passes into tight windows, saying “I’m not scared to throw it. I’m still not gun shy.” He’s taken more calculated risks in recent practices than he did earlier this summer.
• Efton Chism told reporters he’s been studying former Patriot Danny Amendola. Chism said he wasn’t familiar with Amendola’s game before, but praised the slot receiver for his twitchiness and ability to beat both man and zone coverage.
• Javon Baker, Lan Larison, and John Jiles were with the starting offense when the team split into two walkthrough groups. This could hint at them working with the top group during tomorrow’s in-stadium scrimmage. TreVeyon Henderson, Kyle Williams, and Kendrick Bourne were the most notable players working with the second offense.