Instant observations from Day 2 of 2022 training camp

The New England Patriots were focused on making use of their running backs on Thursday during Day 2 of training camp. The offense ran a higher volume of running plays, screen passes and check-downs to the flat. That made for a quieter session of practice. It also helped tease what’s to come on Monday: contact. That’s when the team begins to truly evaluate its players, when they stop hitting each other with foam shields and start hitting each other.

In the meantime, New England is still installing its playbook and teaching the system — even if 11-on-11 drills are already starting to feel highly competitive between the offense and defense.

Here’s a wrap-up of all the important happenings at camp on Thursday.

The top takeaway: Bill Belichick continues to get hands on to coach offensive players

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Patriots spent an early session in practice working on route running with the quarterbacks, tight ends, receivers and running backs. Belichick was there in the midst of everything. Wile the coach might have watched from afar and spun his whistle in his hand in previous years, he was constantly working 1-on-1 with the offensive skill players. He pulled aside tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith to follow up on a coaching point from positional coach Nick Caley. Belichick then spent time working through route technique with rookie running back Kevin Harris and veteran back Damien Harris.

All the while, quarterbacks coach Joe Judge was running the drill and overseeing the QBs. Offensive line coach Matt Patrica was working off to the side of a different practice field. To keep everything connected, Belichick has been present for these team drills. At least for that one session, it felt indicative of this collaborative approach among the coaches on offense.

Final note on this for today: Judge seemed to relay plays on the walkie-talkie for 7-on-7s. Patricia continued to relay plays on 11-on-11s.

Attendance

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Defensive end Deatrich Wise was among those absent. He was present for Day 1.
The Patriots had no players in a red jersey for the second straight day.
For the second day, running back Pierre Strong was present and in pads but did not practice. He warmed up with the team but immediately went down with the non-participants.
The following players were not available or in pads.

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