Latest news with #DrakeMaye
USA Today
2 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
4 standouts from Day 2 of Patriots training camp practice
The New England Patriots resumed training camp practice on Thursday with some key names missing in action. Carlton Davis III, Austin Hooper, Mack Hollins, Ja'Lynn Polk and Vederian Lowe were non-participants, while veteran defensive tackle Christian Barmore was limited. Those absences created opportunities for other players to step up and shine with the top unit, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Granted, there weren't many big plays in this practice considering the offense was working on beating the blitz. That meant a lot of screens and short throws. The Patriots struggled against the blitz last season, and it often led to shortened offensive drives for the team. They've clearly worked on turning that around under returning offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Here were the four standout players on Day 2 of training camp: QB Drake Maye Drake Maye didn't make panic throws, and he kept the offense from moving backwards. This was a practice setting where the second-year quarterback racked up short completions and patiently worked his way down the field, taking whatever the defense gave him. It was a near-flawless period for Maye, who went 14-of-15 passing on the day. That same level of patience will serve him well in game settings, especially if the offensive line continues to struggle. EDGE Harold Landry III Harold Landry III continues to prove that he can still be a disruptive force on the football field. The former Pro Bowl edge rusher registered two sacks during 11-on-11s to help spark the defense. For all of the hype surrounding defensive tackle Milton Williams, it's starting to look like signing Landry might be one of the most impactful moves made by New England in the offseason. DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. With Christian Barmore working on conditioning, defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. had an opportunity to mix it up with the first-team unit. He managed to bat down the only incomplete pass thrown by Drake Maye during the practice. It wasn't anything spectacular, but it was a heads-up play from a player competing for a roster spot along a much-improved defensive front. WR Demario Douglas Third-year wide receiver Demario Douglas made the play-of-the-day when hauling in a pass from backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs. He was able to go up for the ball and make the catch to beat second-year cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr. His four receptions on the day led the team during 11-on-11s. Don't count out Douglas as a breakout candidate for the 2025 season. The arrival of Josh McDaniels' playcalling, along with more receiving help, could lead to a more productive year overall for the former sixth-round draft pick. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
Boston Globe
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Patriots offensive line not interested in discussing last year's struggles, and other observations from Day 2 of camp
The offensive line, unable to effectively pass protect or run block consistently, has been a pain point for the Patriots amid their rebuild. Last season, Those statistics mean that Patriots offensive linemen were among the worst in the NFL in both sustaining their blocks for longer than 2½ seconds on passing plays and creating open lanes on designed running plays. They also ceded the highest pressure rate on dropbacks (40.7 percent), according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up With Advertisement Moses, an 11-season NFL veteran, will likely start at right tackle, while It's difficult to evaluate the line's performance at this point because the Patriots aren't yet wearing pads to comply with NFL rules. As Moses noted, the linemen need something to grab in order to actually block. Advertisement Still, there are already some changes. The 34-year-old Moses has taken it upon himself to help usher in a new era, with an emphasis on creating camaraderie. He regularly meets with younger linemen after practice to review technique and serve as a resource able to answer any questions. 'I think the change in culture is the key,' Moses said. 'When I first got here, there weren't a lot of offensive line dinners and things like that. We've hung out a couple of times already. That's the key, being able to get to know each other outside of the building. Coach Vrabel's done a great job of allowing us to get up in team meetings and share our stories.' Moses and the rest of the offensive line know the real tests will come when the pads come on next week. New England's defensive front, led by big free agent acquisition Milton Williams, will certainly pose a challenge, one that Moses hopes will benefit the O-line. 'Football is the same as every sport,' Moses said. 'It's won in the trenches. When it comes down to fourth and 1 or the two-minute drill and things like that, you count on the offensive line and D-line to go out there and eat. The great thing about it is we have a great offensive line and great defensive line, so we challenge each other every day. That's iron sharpens iron." Other notes and observations from Day 2 of training camp . . . Advertisement ⋅ Most of the offensive gains during the team period came on short passes because, according to running back Rhamondre Stevenson, the focus of the session was picking up positive yardage on first down. Quarterback Drake Maye looked comfortable and in command of the Patriots' offense on Day 2 of camp. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff Thursday's session was light overall, as the team will gradually ramp up its intensity. Quarterback Drake Maye looked comfortable and in command for the second straight day, with exception to a fumbled snap from Wilson. Related : ⋅ No practice again for Ja'Lynn Polk, who remains sidelined for undisclosed reasons. The Patriots did not place Polk on the physically unable to perform (PUP) or non-football injury (NFI) list, which makes his continued absence a surprise. The 2024 second-round pick passed his physical this week, after recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and practicing in a limited capacity during the spring. The sooner Polk can return to the field, the better his chances of making the 53-man roster. He's competing for a spot alongside Javon Baker, Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, and undrafted rookie Efton Chism. Cornerback Carlton Davis also was not spotted during Thursday's practice. Davis opened training camp on NFI but practiced on Wednesday. His availability is worth monitoring, as the 28-year-old has never played a complete NFL season. Tight end Austin Hooper, wide receiver Mack Hollins, and tackle Vederian Lowe also remained sidelined for the second straight day while on PUP. Undrafted rookie defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie was a new absence. Special guest appearances Thursday included former Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich. ⋅ Defensive tackle Christian Barmore didn't practice in team drills, instead spending time on individual work with director of strength and conditioning Frank Piraino and defensive assistant Milton Patterson. Barmore rejoined the team at the end of practice for conditioning. Vrabel made it clear on Tuesday that players, especially those dealing with lingering issues (e.g. Barmore's blood clots), will be following their own training plans. Related : Advertisement ⋅ After serving as a popular target for Maye during the spring, Chism hasn't popped as much with the offense during camp. He is part of the rotation of punt returners, joining DeMario Douglas, Marcus Jones, and Kyle Williams, so a role on special teams could still facilitate his path to a roster spot. Chism returned both kickoffs and punts at Eastern Washington. ⋅ Vrabel has remained an active participant on the practice field, as he did in the spring, often sporting a No. 5 pinnie as a member of the defense. Safety Jabrill Peppers, who wears No. 5, joked, 'I keep telling him to take that No. 5 off. But he told me to go check in on the Patriots Hall of Fame. There's nothing I can say to come back from that.' Patriots coach Mike Vrabel has been an active participant on the practice field. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff Nicole Yang can be reached at
USA Today
7 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Fired-up Patriots QB Drake Maye sends strong message for 2025 season
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye admitted the team is tired of losing when speaking with media members after a training camp practice. There's hope for a culture shift for a Patriots team that finished with a 4-13 record in consecutive seasons. They haven't had a winning record since Mac Jones' rookie year back in 2021. Maye is viewed as someone who can help turn things around. He had a Pro Bowl rookie season after throwing for 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with limited help around him. However, the Patriots hired Mike Vrabel as the new head coach, brought back Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator and upgraded the roster on offense and defense. The team might finally be in a position to do something about the losing. "I think you've got guys around here that are tired of losing around here and guys who want to win. ...I think the past two or three years around here and the past year for me—I can only speak for myself—but there's guys around here that are tired of losing and they want to win," said Maye. The Patriots are hoping for a Year 2 leap from Maye and the other moving parts to work in unison for immediate results. Between the upgrades made in free agency and a promising group of rookie draft picks, this could be exactly what the Patriots organization needed to start winning. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
CBS News
10 hours ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Drake Maye's 3-day throwing session with Patriots teammates was about much more than putting in extra work
Drake Maye wants to be the best quarterback he can be for the New England Patriots. But his goals for Year 2 of his NFL career go much further than what he does between the numbers. Maye is only 22, but he's determined to become the leader of the New England Patriots. He knows it's not something that will simply be given to him because he's the quarterback, but something he has to go out and earn each and every day. It can be earned by making plays and winning games. But becoming a leader starts well before games kick off on Sundays. "I think it's something I come in there every day, work hard, play good in practice. I think that's a big part, take practice seriously," Maye said after Wednesday's first practice of training camp. "I think practice translates to the games. It's hard to get, this simulation, it's not basketball. You can't go get shots, open three-pointers. There's nothing like being in the mix of it with a lot of bullets going. So, trying to earn my stripes in practice. And then from there, just try going along and hopefully win some games. And I think that'll help." With that in mind, Maye decided to put in some extra time with his offensive weapons between the end of mandatory minicamp and the start of training camp. He coordinated a three-day throwing "camp" in North Carolina with receivers Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Kyle Williams, and Ja'Lynn Polk, tight ends Hunter Henry and Jaheim Bell, and running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Terrell Jennings. But this was not just a way of putting in some extra work before the season. Getting the gang together for three days was Maye's way of building trust in each other and bringing the team together. In the end, uniting the team is one of the most important roles for a team leader. "You miss those guys for a month and you just want to get back, get a refresher for them, whether it's route-wise, play-wise. I think the most important thing is just bonding together," said Maye. "I think getting the guys together, going out to eat, having some fun, getting some work in. And I think I was glad that those guys, you know, came out and showed up." While there were plenty of pigskins flying over the three-day session, there was also a good amount of bonding. The group went out to dinner, played plenty of other games, and even had time for some fun on the water. It was during the trip that we got the viral moment of Maye falling back into the water while completing a pass to Stevenson on a jet ski. "I feel like we built that bond together that we needed," Douglas said after Wednesday's practice. "I feel like we're closer than ever with our room and the quarterback room." Maye and Diggs connected a few times early in Wednesday's session, which drew huge cheers from the crowd in Foxboro. Diggs was brought in to be Maye's No. 1 option this year, and is looking good as he returns from ACL surgery last season. He spoke about the pre-camp throwing session after Wednesday's practice, and said it will go a long way in building the trust between the QB and the receiver. "You want to get in as much as you can with the quarterback as a receiver. They say timing and all that, but it's more so just about trust," said Diggs. "You want to be around a guy that you can trust." Maye doesn't need any extra motivation to become a leader, but he's getting an extra push from new head coach Mike Vrabel. The quarterback spoke of their relationship Wednesday and how Vrabel is challenging him both on the field and in the locker room. "He does a great job of giving me points where I can improve, points where, 'hey, maybe do this. He's also kind of letting me go, kind of seeing where I'm at," said Maye. "I think it's kind of a challenge for me to kind of lead this football team and lead this offense." Vrabel was a team captain during his playing days in New England, so he has a unique perspective to pass along to Maye. He doesn't have much experience playing quarterback, but Vrabel's biggest message to his duel-threat QB is simple: Protect yourself and stay a passer for as long as he can during plays. "I think that's big," said Maye. "I'm kind of getting outside the pocket, remaining a passer longer, hoping for some big plays, scramble plays. I feel like I had good times last year where I had some guys deep that I may have missed them or took off running instead. So, just trying to remain a passer and just keep trying to work on footwork."
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
It's not Drake Maye's fault Patriots are where they are (but it's the thought that counts)
FOXBORO, Mass. — Drake Maye's Wednesday media availability had been lumbering along for about six minutes, with the second-year quarterback of the New England Patriots answering the usual second-rate questions. This is absolutely no knock on the people who cover the Patriots for a living. It's just that it's hard to ask deep, probing questions at the end of the first practice session of training camp, especially with horns blaring, fans cheering and the noonish sun beating down on everyone's necks. It's not unlike asking the veteran big-league pitcher about his first Grapefruit League appearance and being told, 'Just getting my work in.' Advertisement Heck, what could be more lame than bringing up Maye's first completion to newly minted Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs and then asking, 'What was that like???' It was I who asked that beauty. But it was after the media availability was over that Maye swung open the front door to his innermost football feelings and invited everyone to take a peek. All this happened just after Patriots vice president of media relations Stacey James had already said, 'Last question,' and after that last question had already been answered and Maye was now poised to exit, stage right. Enter Karen Guregian of MassLive, who started covering the Patriots in 1993 for the Boston Herald. How long ago was that? Drew Bledsoe and Bill Parcells were new in town and James Busch Orthwein owned the team. And the team played in a stadium with aluminum benches. That's how long ago. Maye had already made a couple of remarks attesting to his level of excitement for the 2025 Patriots, but without offering any specifics. But now, in the bonus round, he was being asked for those specifics. 'What excites me most?' Maye asked. 'I think you've got guys around here that are tired of losing around here, and guys that want to win. I think that's what excites me most. Guys want to win around here. I think the past two or three years around here and the past year for me, I can only speak for myself, but I think there's guys around here that are tired of losing and want to win.' He wasn't chuckling when he answered the question. Nor did he 'Shout It Out,' as though taking on the role of the cleaning product that's said to be tough on stains. But Maye was definitely pensive, as though this was something that had been on his mind for a while. Before continuing, it's important to restate that this is only Maye's second season with the Patriots. That the Patriots are where they are is not his fault. Yes, he was on the scene in 2024 when the Patriots, with one-and-done Jerod Mayo running the shop, went 4-13. Maye appeared in 13 games in 2024, making 12 starts. But he won only one game in which he quarterbacked the Patriots the entire game. If you want to give Maye a big slice of blame pie for 2024, conveniently leaving out that he was a rookie playing for a team with a coaching staff that was about to be dismantled, go right ahead. Advertisement But Maye wasn't around in 2023, when the Patriots went 4-13 in Bill Belichick's last season as head coach. It was also the season in which the Mac Jones era at quarterback came to an inglorious end. If Maye saw any of that Patriots season, it was probably on a flat screen from his apartment at UNC while eating a slice or two from Italian Pizzeria III. Nor was Maye on the New England scene in 2022, when the Patriots went 8-9, or in 2021 when they went 10-7 but were handed a 47-17 beating by the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round. And so on. And yet here's Maye, talking about guys who are 'tired of losing around here.' Talking about guys 'that want to win,' talking about 'the past two or three years around here.' Only it certainly didn't sound like Maye was speaking for himself. If you're a Patriots fan looking for signs that this team has an interest in getting back into the winning business, Maye's comments were the biggest news to come out of the first day of training camp. Well, OK, perhaps you're the type who limits optimism to what can be gleaned from X's and O's, in which case Maye's first pass attempt to Stefon Diggs was a much bigger deal. Diggs ran a crossing route and made the catch a step ahead of his defender. Boilerplate stuff, but it was 'Maye to Diggs' for the first time, and that's what the crowd was looking for on Day 1. The Maye completion to Diggs was real football stuff. As for that close-of-business quote, it's not something you're likely to take into account while mulling the 8.5 over/under win total that's been assigned to the Patriots. But there was nothing performative or fake about what Maye said. If it were, he'd have found a way to weave it into the discussion earlier in the session. It's not just that Maye is ready for his close-up as the leader of the 2025 New England Patriots. By talking about the failures of the recent past, and doing so with a sort of melancholy for those who came before him, it's as though he spent the summer reading Bob Hyldburg's 'Total Patriots.' Maye's job is to make the Patriots a better team. It sounds like he also wants to make them a better organization.
