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Replay: Patriots Unfiltered Tue Jul 29 - 11:00 AM | Thu Aug 07 - 11:55 AM

Patriots Defense Comes On Strong Against Commanders in Joint Practice

The Patriots defense turned in a strong performance against reigning NFL Offense Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders.

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FOXBOROUGH – The Patriots defense found its rhythm and delivered a strong performance against the Washington Commanders during Wednesday's joint practice, showcasing a mix of veteran playmakers, emerging talent and aggressive execution across multiple competitive periods.

While Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels opened the day with a sharp initial period that included what would've been a third-down completion to tight end Zach Ertz during the first set of 11-on-11 reps, the Patriots defense quickly responded. Over the next three sets in the middle of the field, the unit tightened up, applying pressure and forcing incompletions as the intensity ramped up.

Christian Barmore was a disruptive force throughout, collapsing the pocket and helping blow up a read-option play alongside Harold Landry that resulted in a fumbled handoff exchange. Landry scooped the ball and would've scored in a live game scenario. The final set of middle-field 11-on-11s ended with three incompletions and another would-be sack from Landry, capping a dominant stretch for the Patriots front.

"Every time we get a one-on-one, we must win," Barmore said. "That's our goal. We take that personally. We control the line of scrimmage, we can have a good day."

Rookie Joshua Farmer also made his presence felt, recording a tackle for loss and consistently proving to be a handful for opposing blockers. The Florida State product has been coming on since returning to the practice fields this week.

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Khyiris Tonga added a pocket-collapsing rush in the red zone, while Robert Spillane and D.J. James each broke up passes in tight coverage.

The defense's best work came in the final competitive period, with the ball placed at the 25-yard line and 45 seconds on the clock. Daniels completed two short passes before being stymied on four straight attempts. Third-year cornerback Alex Austin, who ended Friday's in-stadium practice with an interception, closed out the day with a pass defensed in the end zone.

Austin has made the most of his opportunities with Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis sidelined, and his performance Wednesday was another step forward.

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel emphasized the importance of joint practices as a tool for evaluation and growth.

"The goal is just to be able to put the identity out on the field against another team," Vrabel said. "To put the fundamentals that we've installed out there, to be able to adjust to different play styles, players that maybe are longer or quicker or stronger."

Vrabel also noted the value of seeing how his defense would respond to a quarterback like Daniels, who brings a unique blend of speed and decision-making.

"He's talented, makes great decisions, very fast," Vrabel said. "Rarely takes a big hit, which is very impressive for any player, especially a quarterback."

For Barmore, the challenge of chasing down Daniels was real, but the defense limited the damage he did with his legs.

"That boy fast," Barmore said with a grin. "I had good angles, but he fast. Good quarterback."

Despite Daniels' early success, the Patriots defense settled in and prevented the Washington ones from getting into the end zone during competitive team periods. Barmore credited the coaching staff and the team's preparation for the unit's success.

"Really just listening to our coaches and having good technique," he said. "Good hands inside, square up, playing good technique with what the coach teaches us."

Vrabel echoed that sentiment, saying the joint practice was designed to simulate game-like situations and give players a chance to adjust and improve.

"We want to practice the same way we've practiced against our team, by playing physical and aggressive," Vrabel said. "You have to be able to play competitively and physically without letting your emotions get the best of you."

With the first preseason game on deck Friday night, the Patriots defense looks ready to carry its momentum forward. The joint practice offered a valuable glimpse of what this unit can be: fast, physical and increasingly coordinated.

"We're going to keep getting better," Barmore said. "It's all about stacking days."

DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer

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