It's not training camp until the first fight, and in Green Bay Thursday both officially arrived. During a spirited joint practice with the Packers that was mostly dominated by a surprisingly successful Patriots' offense, the teams were involved in multiple skirmishes, scuffles and one fight.
By most accounts there were 6-7 incidents, highlighted by one big fight. During special teams work, Packers' linebacker Keshawn Banks took a swing at Patriots' rookie Keion White . New England linebacker Anfernee Jennings immediately rushed to White's defense and leveled Banks to prompt a practice-halting scrum in which an unidentified Packers' helmet went flying into the air ... and was comically caught by a referee.
Jennings was taken to the locker room, possibly kicked out of practice.
The intensity was clearly ramped up from Wednesday's joint practice. It was also a much better showing by the Patriots' offense.
Opening the practice 11 on 11 in the Red Zone, the Patriots got touchdown passes by Mac Jones to Kendrick Bourne and DeVante Parker. After not participating in contact drills Wednesday, newest Patriot Ezekiel Elliott also played a larger role and even took reps with the first unit. He scored what would have been two touchdowns, on a hand-off and a screen from Jones.
Fights in camp are an NFL rite of Summer, and nothing new for the Patriots. Last year they engaged in several brawls with the Carolina Panthers, will multiple players being kicked out of those joint practices.
The Patriots and Packers play their preseason game Saturday night at 8 p.m. at Lambeau Field.
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