FOXBORO – During the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this year, at a bar in Indianapolis, there was a discussion between scouts and coaches about college players making names for themselves in the Senior Bowl, which just took place.
One AFC scout raised his hand and slowly lifted it over his body as a plane boarded a runway. The “riser” he liked the most? Kyle Dugger, a Division II security guard from Lenoir-Rhyne in Hickory, North Carolina.
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Flash forward nearly six months later and Dugger – who posted eye-popping measurements in Indy – makes plays on a daily basis at the Patriots’ training camp. The pick of the second round, who was the first player selected by Bill Belichick after Belichick traded out of the bottom of the first round, got his hands on the football this week for three consecutive practices.
On Monday, Dugger beamed receiver Jakobi Meyers during a bubble safety drill. On Tuesday, he interpreted quarterback Jarrett Stidham as a deep safety. On Wednesday, he caught Cam Newton in the end zone, and he almost caught Stidham on the very next game. A few plays later, Dugger broke a pass from Brian Hoyer that was meant for tight end Ryan Izzo.
“I think he’s doing a good job just to be in football,” Devin McCourty said Tuesday. “Whether he’s down or he’s on the back end, he’s done a good job of that so far.”
Had it not been for Patrick Chung’s departure from COVID earlier this offseason, Dugger’s chances might have been limited. He works in defense, while veteran acquisition of free agent Adrian Phillips plays a similar role. But the rookie does everything he can with the snaps he gets.
Whether it’s playing in the deep end of the field, over the lock, or down in the box at linebacker level, Dugger has the athletic gifts to accomplish a variety of tasks for Belichick – even as he makes a massive leap at competition level. Dugger’s defensive coordinator at Lenoir-Rhyne said it could take a while for him to contribute defensively if he is adjusted during a short offseason. But he wondered if Dugger might finally look like Chargers All-Pro safety Derwin James.
That’s an airy comparison. But the way Dugger handled this week of training camp practice could not accuse you of questioning whether the sky is the limit for him.
Here’s how the rest of the day went on in the fields behind Gillette Stadium. . .
WHAT THEY WILL BE
Helmets and shells. That meant it was a lighter day from a contact perspective. But it also meant that a lot of work was done on the passing game.
WHO IS LOOKING FORWARD
N’Keal Harry was not tracked down all morning. It’s unclear why he missed the practice, but it’s worth checking out. How he developed in year 2 could go a long way in determining how the passing game comes about in New England. Sony Michel and Lamar Miller (physically unable to list) were both among the missing, as were rookie receiver Jeff Thomas and rookie linebacker Anfernee Jennings. Like Harry, Derek Rivers was a new absentee. His defensive teammates Beau Allen and Tashawn Bower were also out.
WHAT SAYS THAT
Enough passing. After a dynamic warm-up and walkthrough period, the quarterbacks went to their football work for play-action. Meanwhile, in another area of the field, receivers were repeatedly asked to make shoestring catches in a drill with director of player personnel Nick Caserio zipping the football. (The former John Carroll University quarterback is often asked to be an extra arm at this time of year.)
After drills, the offense and defense worked against each other in a period of 3-on-4 offensive-on-defense. That was followed by a period of 7 to 7 and a period of 11 to 11. After some kickoff work, the team did more 11-on-11 things, followed by a points team period.
The practice ended with some competitive red zone passing – 7-on-7 then 11-on-11 – and conditioning on Mount Belichick, also known as The Hills.
KWARTERBACK REPPORT
Reps were split relatively evenly again, and all three primary quarterbacks took reps at different points as the first quarterback rose. In 7-on-7 periods, Cam Newton went 4-for-7 with two interceptions. Stidham went 3-for-6, and Hoyer went 4-for-6. In 11-on-11 work, Newton went 4-for-9 (with two passes dropped). Stidham went 9-for-13 with a pick and Hoyer went 8-for-14 (with one pass falling).
Put all 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 reps together, insert for drops …
Cam: 63% accurate
Stidham: 63% accurate
Hoyer: 65% accurate https://t.co/UP3PbZbZVZ– Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 19, 2020
QUARTERLY VIEWS
Stidham got several very nice passes on the day. He hit rookie tight end Dalton Keene on a post route, leading him perfectly for some yardage to the catch, during 7-on-7s. He also threw a perfect seam pass to rookie tight end Jake Burt in 3-on-4 work with Dugger over the entire goal. Two of his best throws – two of the best of any quarterback – came at the end of practice. Byrd was again the target for a bomb through the middle. JJ Taylor caught the other in the front corner of the end zone while blanking through linebacker Terez Hall.
Newton made a pretty deep comeback to Gunner Olszewski with Stephon Gilmore on him. Well timed. On a line. Hard to get better than that. He hit a similar route – a deep out – to Byrd with JC Jackson close in cover later in practice. Newton also hit a quick dart across the middle to Julian Edelman. He pumped … pumped … then threw, perhaps pointing to some uncertainty as Edelman would interrupt his route. But the throw was on time and on the money.
KWARTERBAKLJOUWER
Newton was selected early by linebacker Cassh Maluia in the 7-on-7s session. Nice play by the rookie, who had to jump to secure the turnover. Bad throw by the quarterback, who never saw Maluia in his zone. (Two throws for this one, Newton was almost chosen by Stephon Gilmore in directing Isaiah Zuber.) Newton’s submission to Dugger in the red zone was not a very good throw, but it was a controversial play and Dugger out- muscled and out-positioned Ryan Izzo for the choice. Not Newton’s best throw. But not his worst, either.
Like Newton, Stidham sometimes had some problems behind his receivers. One came in the first period from 11 to 11 when he had JJ Taylor available and just shot it back behind the rookie. He later dismissed the fast wideout Damiere Byrd which resulted in an easy pick from JC Jackson. Not great.
Brian Hoyer was typically stable when it came to hitting the throws, one might expect him to hit. However, he had a chance to hit Gunner Olszewski on a deep ball early in the practice, but overtook him. He also missed Devin Ross on a deep route when the pass was placed behind the goal.
WHO POPPED?
JJ Taylor: There are plenty of opportunities for Patriots to run, and JJ Taylor – one of the nicest to see rookies available in this year’s draft – made the most of it on Wednesday. His best play was a contested grip where the 5-foot-6, 185-pound climbed the ladder and the football wrestled away from linebacker Terez Hall.
Damiere Byrd: With Harry not to be missed, there were also opportunities available for widows. Byrd was the primary attendant. His speed is clear because he was directed four times deep in the field. One on an outside route (mentioned above) of Newton. One on a deep finish from Stidham. Stidham tried to hit Byrd twice more, but was off the mark. One pass deep in the middle was under shot. One deep crosser was thrown out too far for him. Even though all of his goals were not successes, Byrd’s speed stands out. The Patriots could use it.
WHO DROPPED?
Julian Edelman: Two drops for the veteran slot machine. One went through his hands after he shook fully designed rookie corner Myles Bryant. The following came at the end of practice – it was the last competitive throw of the day – when Newton tried to hit him on the goal line. The pass was well placed, but he jumped right through the middle of Edelman.
Rookie tight ends: Dalton Keene dropped Brian Hoyer’s pass and was later found guilty when Chase Winovich nodded through the line for a ‘case’. Devin Asiasi also had two passes from his hands in 11-on-11 work. Asiasi had a nice play where he went up and over Devin McCourty in a 3-on-4 period for a good win. And Keene ran a nice post to pick up a bunch of yards when they were directed by Stidham. But it was an up-and-coming day for both.
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