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CBS News
6 hours ago
- Sport
- CBS News
A solid day for Drake Maye as Patriots really bring energy on first day of minicamp
The New England Patriots kicked off mandatory minicamp in Foxboro on Monday, and the theme of the day was energy. It was abundant on both sides of the ball throughout a spirited practice behind Gillette Stadium. Ahead of the session, head coach Mike Vrabel said Monday and Tuesday's practices would be an extension of what the team has done in OTAs. Monday included a lot of red zone work, and both the offense and the defense brought intensity to the field. Both units competed hard throughout the session, which featured a lot of spirited competition in the red area. The offense would make a play, and then the defense would answer by making a play of its own. We also saw the two sides talking back and forth with each other, though it was in a constructive way rather than a lot of trash talk. (There was also a good amount of trash talk.) Offensive players were chatting with defensive players and vice versa, as both offered up what they had seen on the previous play. There was a point where pass rusher Harold Landry was chatting up quarterback Drake Maye for a few minutes after a play, and that was common among a number of players. Reporters observing Monday's practice kept saying how much fun it was to watch thanks to the energy and investment the players put into it. Here are some more observations from Monday's minicamp practice: Another solid day for Drake Maye I thought Monday was a good learning day for Maye. He had command throughout the practice and made a bunch of plays during the session, though there were times he held onto the ball a little too long. Maye had a nice touchdown to Pop Douglas, where the receiver juked his defender to get to the end zone. But then he tried to dunk the football on the goalpost, and that didn't work out too well for the 5-foor-8 Douglas. Maye also hit rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson on a nice angle route during red zone work. He didn't force many passes during Monday's red zone drills. After practice wrapped up, he gushed about how great it is to work against the New England defense. He especially likes the challenge of going against corners Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis, whom he called one of the best corner duos in the NFL. "I tell Gonzo every day I'm going to test him," said Maye. "For me, it's just playing the chess match with them. It's been fun, a good matchup with our defense. They do a lot of different stuff and it's a great workout for us." Maye is well aware of the high expectations surrounding him heading into his second NFL season. He's not worried about living up to them, and in fact welcomes the challenge. "I think you want high expectations. The Patriots are used to winning and that's what we're trying to get back to," said Maye. "You want people to expect you to play good and that pressure is what fuels you out here; fuels you to get the rep right in practice, fuels you to work hard in the meetings and the weight room. It fuels you to not let what happened last year happen again." Kyle Williams had Patriots' Play of the Day Rookie receiver Kyle Williams had another big play for the New England offense Monday. He scored on a roughly 50-yard bomb down the middle from backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs. Stefon Diggs engaged and bringing energy Diggs wasn't able to do much on Monday as he continues to recover from ACL surgery. But head coach Mike Vrabel praised Diggs for his energy ahead of the session, and Maye can already see his impact despite Diggs not being able to make plays on the field. "He seems like an awesome teammate. He's my locker mate. We talk all the time," Maye said. "A veteran in this league, he's made a lot of plays and played in a lot of big time games. Awesome voice for the receiver room and this offense. "Once he recovers and gets back out there, I'm looking forward to being able to throw him some footballs," Maye added. "Always good to have a guy like that on your team." Diggs came out for a couple of routes at the end of Monday's session, but did most of his work on a side field with Ja'Lynn Polk. He also did a lot of talking with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels at one point on Monday. Christian Barmore looked good, as did the defensive front The New England defensive front is a big key to the team's success this season. "That's gotta be a strength for us this year, that front seven. We certainly invested in that position and I like how they're competing and like how they're working," Vrabel said of the unit before practice. "I'm excited where they're at and they're learning a lot of installation. They're working hard and getting in shape." The return of Christian Barmore will help. He's back after he was lost for most of last season as he dealt with a scary bout with blood clots, and Barmore looked good on the field Monday. While the no-contact rules mean defensive players can't do much during practices, newcomer Milton Williams said all the big fellas in the trenches are doing what they can when they're out on the field. "Right now, there is only so much we can do as far as rushing, power, stopping the run and things like that. We've been focused on communication, making sure we end up in the right spot, and running and making sure we get in shape," said Williams. Williams was that investment Vrabel alluded to, after the team gave him a four-year, $104 million deal that includes $63 million guaranteed in the offseason. Williams played just half of Philadelphia's defensive snaps last season, but said that wasn't his decision. He's gearing up for a much bigger workload in New England. "I'm training to play as much as I can. I'm going out whenever they call my number," said Williams. "I'll be in shape and ready for whatever." Other big plays Isaiah Bolden had a nice play in the secondary when he picked off Dobbs in the red zone and returned it for a pick-six. He also broke up a pass by third-stringer Ben Wooldridge in the red zone. Undrafted running back Lan Larison also turned some heads on Monday when he scored a touchdown on a nice wheel route. Patriots attendance at minicamp Diggs and Polk were both limited among Patriots receivers, as were offensive linemen Mike Onwenu, Vederian Lowe, and rookie Jared Wilson. Receiver Mack Hollins, linemen Wes Schweitzer and Tyrese Robinson, and linebacker Jahlani Tavai (who was injured in last week's OTA practice) did not participate on Monday. One more minicamp practice The Patriots will practice one more time Tuesday afternoon. They'll be back at the facilities Wednesday, but Vrabel has already called off that day's practice. Then players will get a nice break before returning for Training Camp in late July. "Really starting to find a stride and I'm kinda bummed out we're about to leave," said Maye. Maye has some pretty big plans ahead of training camp though. He told reporters Monday he's getting married in two weeks.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
8 takeaways from Patriots OTAs as defense stifles Drake Maye
FOXBOROUGH – At this point, it feels like a trend in New England. The Patriots began their offseason workout program this spring, and once again, the defense looks miles ahead of the offense. That was certainly the case during the first open OTA session last week when Drake Maye threw four interceptions. Advertisement On Wednesday, Maye's unit fizzled once again in the second open practice. Although there was some progress – the starting quarterback didn't throw an interception – the Patriots offense wasn't nearly as efficient as one would hope. Maye finished the day completing 53% of his passes (9-of-17) in 11-on-11 drills. The Patriots defense did all it could to disrupt Maye's offensive unit. The combination of Harold Landry, Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, and Keion White up front was at times too much for the Patriots to handle. Maye's first 11-on-11 period was a run-heavy session that saw the quarterback complete three short passes to TreVeyon Henderson, Kyle Williams, and Kendrick Bourne. After that, however, Maye never completed two passes in a row for the rest of the day as the offense didn't get into a solid rhythm. Advertisement Maye completed 2-of-5 passes in the second period and was 2-of-6 in the third. Maye threw behind multiple targets (Kendrick Bourne and Henderson) and had a pass deflected at the line of scrimmage. Tight end Jack Westover also dropped a pass. In the final 11-on-11 period, Maye completed 2-of-3 passes. His last play of the day during competitive drills was a fumbled snap between him and center Garrett Bradbury. Before practice, Mike Vrabel was asked if he cared about Maye's four interception day last week. 'Well, I care. I care about every player's performance and that we continue to improve. There has been great improvement,' Vrabel said. 'Everybody's going to have a bad day. There's a lot of reasons that go into it. We're not going to analyze every single practice and have explanations for things that came up. The command, the operation, all those things have continued to improve. Advertisement '… Hopefully the operation, the communication today, and the execution has got to be better. We only have so many of these opportunities. I'm hopeful that in front of us, the media, that we have a better day.' Here are the main takeaways from Wednesday's open practice: Cause for concern? Learning a new offensive system isn't easy and that's been seen from Drake Maye this spring. Through two open practices, the second-year quarterback is 20-of-33 (61%) with four interceptions. Last year, in five spring practices, Maye finished 29-of-44 (66%) with three interceptions. Is this a cause for concern? Before practice, Vrabel noted that on Maye's four-interception day, the Patriots were working on third-down plays. That made it easier for the defense to rush the passer and made it more difficult for the offense. Advertisement 'This is hard. This is a hard time in the spring when every pass play is third-and-10,' Vrabel said. 'They're pass rushing, they're pressuring and they're blitzing. Which is great. We have to be able to block and see everything. It is a passing camp. It didn't take Keion [White], K.C. [K'Lavon Chaisson], Christian [Barmore], Milt [Milton Williams], and Harold [Landry III] long to figure that out. It is what it is, which is good.' Javon Baker's learning moment Javon Baker flashes potential, but it's also very clear the receiver needs to mature. On Wednesday, Baker found himself on the field with quarterbacks Joshua Dobbs and Ben Wooldridge. The second-year receiver played well and made a great play – jumping over undrafted cornerback Brandon Crossley for a catch on a Wooldridge deep pass. Advertisement After the play, however, Baker flexed his right arm and started to jog slowly to the sideline. That drew the ire of Vrabel because the Patriots offense was in the huddle and waiting for Baker to return. That's when it appeared that Vrabel said something to Baker to get the receiver to run back to the huddle for the next play. Baker's potential shines, but it was also noteworthy that he was catching passes from backup quarterbacks. That was the case even with three receivers (Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, and Ja'Lynn Polk) either not there or not participating. Maye played with four receivers on Wednesday – Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, and DeMario Douglas. Hunter Henry's a security blanket Maye completed his nine passes to five different players – Hunter Henry (three), Bourne (three), Williams (one), Henderson (one), and Antonio Gibson (one). Advertisement It's clear that Henry is still Maye's security blanket. All three of his receptions came after a Maye incomplete pass. That was seen plenty last season when Henry finished with 66 receptions, 674 yards, and two touchdowns. Stefon Diggs absent On Tuesday, a video circulated on social media of Stefon Diggs partying on a boat in Miami. Before practice, Vrabel said the team was aware of the circulating video, which saw Diggs hand an unknown substance to a woman. Last week, Diggs was present for at least one day of OTAs. That wasn't the case on Wednesday as the receiver wasn't at practice. 'The message will be the same for all our players, that we're trying to make great decisions,' Vrabel said. 'Any conversations that I've had with Stefon will remain between him, I, and the club.' Advertisement The Patriots also had receiver Mack Hollins, cornerback Carlton Davis, tackle Caedan Wallace, and tight end Austin Hooper absent from Wednesday's practice. Rhamondre Stevenson returns Rhamondre Stevenson stayed home for the start of the Patriots offseason workout program after the death of his father. On Wednesday, Stevenson was back at practice in a limited fashion. The running back was with the team during the start of practice but held out of competitive 11-on-11 drills. That led to more opportunities for Antonio Gibson and TreVeyon Henderson. Stevenson ended practice with the offense during their walkthrough. Advertisement 'I want to support him through this process the best that we can,' Vrabel said. 'That's probably a little bit more difficult. He doesn't know us as well. His communication, I appreciated. It's great to have him back. We'll work him along and make sure that he's ready to get out there.' Defense won the day Even when Maye wasn't on the field, the defense won the day. Backup Joshua Dobbs finished 10-of-16 with an interception. He was picked by cornerback Myles Battle on a pass that receiver John Jiles dropped. Wooldridge, the third-stringer, finished 3-of-5 on the day. The defense had several players finish with pass breakups – Jack Gibbens, Craig Woodson, and Kobee Minor. Several players limited Several players were limited during Wednesday's practice. Advertisement Right guard Michael Onwenu was among that group. Without Onwenu, the Patriots offensive line looked vastly different when Maye was on the field. It'll be interesting to see how the guard depth chart plays out this summer. Names to watch are Tyrese Robinson, Cole Strange, Sidy Sow, Wes Schweitzer, and Layden Robinson. There doesn't seem to be a front runner at left guard with several players rotating in during two open practices. Also limited on Wednesday were Kyle Dugger, Ja'Lynn Polk, Vederian Lowe, Jared Wilson, Stevenson, Jaquelin Roy, and Wilfried Pene. Kicking competition The Patriots kicking competition is in full swing. Advertisement Last week, rookie Andy Borregales finished a perfect 4-of-4 while Parker Romo connected on 2-of-4 field goal attempts. On Wednesday, Romo was a perfect 4-of-4 while Borregales finished 3-of-4. The rookie's miss was wide left. The Patriots have been having kickers start around the mid-30s and work their way up to 50-plus yards. Borregales missed his third attempt. More Patriots Content Read the original article on MassLive.
USA Today
23-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking and evaluating the top-10 linebackers in 2025 NFL draft
Ranking and evaluating the top-10 linebackers in 2025 NFL draft The New England Patriots could still use help at the off-ball linebacker position as they continue revamping their defense with faster, more aggressive athletes. Despite bringing in Harold Landry to upgrade the pass rush and getting flashes from Keion White, there's a clear need for more explosiveness and versatility in the second level of their defense. This class offers a strong mix of true Mikes, modern coverage linebackers and hybrid off-ball/edge types — all of which could complement the Patriots' evolving scheme. Whether they target one in the middle rounds or later, New England would be wise to keep a close eye on this position. Here's a look at the top off-ball linebackers in this year's class. 10. David Walker – Central Arkansas David Walker is a linebacker/edge hybrid with elite twitch and explosiveness. He made Bruce Feldman's freaks list and dominated at the FCS level with natural leverage, violent hands and a strong lower-body base. He finishes plays with violence and has a nose for the football. However, Walker is extremely limited in arm length and has a capped physical frame. He lacks ideal bend, has inconsistent pass-rush plans and dominated lower-level competition, which raises questions about his transition to the NFL. Still, the tools are exciting, and he could contribute as a developmental chess piece. 9. Smael Mondon Jr. – Georgia Smael Mondon Jr. is a rangy, athletic linebacker with excellent closing speed and impressive coverage instincts. He flashes sideline-to-sideline range and has a knack for blitz timing and diagnosing outside runs. He is battle-tested in the SEC with multiple years of starting experience. The concerns include durability—he's dealt with injuries in three consecutive seasons, plus his senior year of high school. He's maxed out physically and doesn't have the functional strength to hold up consistently in traffic. Still, on sub-packages and passing downs, he's a valuable coverage option. 8. Danny Stutsman – Oklahoma Stutsman is a downhill thumper who's at his best working in the box and attacking gaps. He brings physicality and a high motor, showing good instincts as a run defender and the ability to time blitzes well. His change of direction and spatial awareness are limited, and his pad level can get inconsistent when finishing tackles. He's not a sideline-to-sideline player, but in the right system, Stutsman can be an early-down enforcer who sets the tone inside. 7. Kobe King – Penn State King is one of the most reliable tacklers in the draft. He is a throwback MIKE with great gap integrity, strong thump in the run game and consistent stack-and-shed ability. He's a natural leader who quarterbacks the defense with poise and control. He doesn't offer much in coverage and isn't the most explosive athlete, but what he lacks in range, he makes up for in instincts, toughness and reliability. He's a plug-and-play interior linebacker for a team that needs a steady presence. 6. Barrett Carter – Clemson Carter is a modern linebacker with plus coverage skills and impressive explosiveness. He attacks downhill with control, is disruptive against screens and blitzes effectively when schemed up. He can line up in space and move fluidly against tight ends and running backs. But Carter occasionally hesitates when reading plays and struggles to disengage from blocks once engaged. He also gets flat-footed in man coverage at times, but his raw athletic traits and versatility make him an appealing WILL linebacker. 5. Chris Paul Jr. – Ole Miss Chris Paul Jr. is an undersized but twitchy linebacker who plays with his hair on fire. He has exceptional change-of-direction ability and elite short-area burst. He reads plays quickly, blitzes with violence and is a monster on special teams. He tends to overpursue and lacks length, limiting his ability to stack and shed. When fatigued, his tackling technique slips. Still, Paul brings juice and processing speed that can add value as a high-end third linebacker or coverage sub. 4. Jeffrey Bassa – Oregon Jeffrey Bassa is a converted safety with top-tier movement skills in coverage. He plays with fluidity and a deep understanding of zone spacing, making him ideal for modern spread offenses. He blitzes well, plays fast and communicates like a seasoned vet. Concerns include limited play strength when climbing linemen get into his chest, and despite strong positioning, his ball production is minimal. Even so, Bassa has the instincts and athletic profile to be an impactful WILL at the next level. 3. Carson Schwesinger – UCLA Schwesinger is one of the rangiest linebackers in the class. He flies to the football with elite closing speed and brings special teams value as a three-year standout. He's a loose-hipped mover with the processing speed to match his athleticism. A scrappy player with a chip on his shoulder — Schwesinger was a walk-on turned starter at UCLA — he embodies toughness and persistence. Granted, he's still raw with his stack-and-shed technique and inconsistent finishing in space, but he's a tone-setter and team captain with upside to be a starting WILL in the NFL. 2. Demetrius Knight Jr. – South Carolina Demetrius Knight Jr. is a classic downhill MIKE linebacker with strong instincts, violent hands and good zone awareness. He explodes through gaps and hits like a freight train. His leadership and maturity shine, and he's always around the football. Man coverage is a weakness, and he has a tendency to duck his head and dive at ankles, allowing some elusive backs to slip away. But for teams that run two-gap fronts and need physicality in the middle, Knight is a tone-setter. 1. Jihaad Campbell – Alabama Jihaad Campbell is the most complete linebacker in the class. He is an explosive, versatile defender with elite closing burst and a pass-rush element to his game. He can line up at MIKE, WILL, or EDGE, with the athleticism to cover tight ends and chase down ball carriers in space. He still needs to polish his discipline and hand placement, but his rare size-speed combo, instincts and age (just 21) give him true All-Pro upside. He's the kind of defender you build a linebacker room around Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
USA Today
09-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Harold Landry makes honest admission on life playing under Mike Vrabel
Harold Landry makes honest admission on life playing under Mike Vrabel 'All I know is, as long as I played for Vrabes, there was never a situation I wasn't prepared for.' — Harold Landry — Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) April 8, 2025 New England Patriots linebacker Harold Landry gave the ultimate compliment to Mike Vrabel when speaking with media members. 'All I know is, as long as I played for Vrabes, there was never a situation I wasn't prepared for," said Landry, via Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan. Landry played under Vrabel at the Tennessee Titans from 2018-2023. During that time, he put together multiple productive seasons. His best season came in 2021, when he recorded 75 combined tackles to go along with 12 sacks. He also had 22 quarterback hits on his way to a Pro Bowl nomination that year. Now, Landry is looking to help anchor a Patriots defense in need of a reset after a tough season last year. There's hope that Landry's pass-rushing abilities and veteran leadership, along with his knowledge of Vrabel's system, leads to success in New England. At the very least, he will strengthen the linebacker room, which will be important for a unit that struggled with health and depth last year. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
New York Times
10-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Patriots, LB Robert Spillane agree to terms on reported 3-year, $37.5 million deal
The New England Patriots spent the early part of the free-agency negotiating window bolstering their linebacker position. A day after signing former Tennessee Titan Harold Landry, the Pats agreed to a three-year, $37.5 million deal with former Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane, per a league source. Advertisement Spillane began his career as a downhill run stuffer but improved against the pass in recent years and has become a well-rounded, above-average linebacker. He was the No. 39 player in our free agency rankings. Spillane went undrafted in 2018 after playing for P.J. Fleck at Western Michigan. He was signed by Mike Vrabel and the Titans and spent part of his rookie season there before being waived. Still, that connection seems to have persisted as Spillane is set now to rejoin Vrabel. GO DEEPER Patriots 2025 free agency tracker: Seeking help at WR, O-line and D-line Spillane is still at his best as a run stuffer and projects as a starting linebacker for the Patriots. If he's lined up next to Anfernee Jennings, that gives the Pats a strong push against the run. They still haven't done much to address the pass rush, but the early moves suggest the Patriots don't want to get pushed around on defense. The Raiders used Spillane on a career-high 82 pass-rush snaps (which yielded a pair of sacks) in 2024, but it's still not his strength. He notched 110 tackles and an impressive 6 percent missed tackle mark, according to Pro Football Focus. The pessimist might note this doesn't really move the needle too much for 2025. But this free-agency period for the Patriots is more about shoring up their major weaknesses and trying to cement at least an average level of play from many positions. Spillane does at least that for the linebacker corps. Is he going to mean a huge difference in wins and losses the way a Chris Godwin or Ronnie Stanley might've? Probably not. But the Patriots need solid football players, and Spillane is a solid football player. Patriots fans know the answer to this one. The franchise has so much cap space, it couldn't possibly use it all in one cycle. Spillane will put a small dent in it, likely with a cap hit north of $10 million. But that's a drop in the bucket when the Patriots started with nearly $130 million to spend. Advertisement The Patriots have gotten better and tougher on defense. So far, free agency has gone about as expected with them adding solid but not flashy football players. But this can't be it. The two biggest questions remain: What do they do at left tackle? And how do they improve at wide receiver? • Live free agency updates: Tracking trades, contracts, deals and rumors • Our updated list of the top 150 free agents • Free agency grades: The good, bad and ugly of key deals • Top free agents at every position
