Monday Patriots Notebook 5/13: News and Notes
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Some Patriots news and notes on this Monday:
Although the New England Patriots rookie class got to work late last week, Saturday was obviously the day that took center stage thanks to the fact the team opened things up to reporters as cameras were finally allowed in.
The result allowed a glimpse at this year’s group, and the results certainly gave people a reason to feel optimistic.
The Athletic’s Jeff Howe had one of the more detailed reports when it came to rookie quarterback, Drake Maye. Howe documented Maye’s entire day, providing a minute-by-minute breakdown of how he fared.
Much of that time saw the rookie focus on fundamentals. There was a focus on footwork as both he and fellow rookie QB Joe Milton III spent a portion of the practice facing simulated pressure as the two threw passes into a net, which had squares they targeted while also working on their accuracy.
Howe pointed out that Maye worked with a fairly diverse group, even taking reps with undrafted players like center Charles Turner and running back Deshaun Fenwick, along with tryout players like center Ryan Johnson and running back Terrell Jennings.
During the period, Howe reported that both Maye and Milton spent 19 minutes handing off and throwing swing passes with those players. He noted that while it appeared monotonous, it allowed the two to fine-tune their footwork and focus on the timing with what will soon be accompanied by a new blocking scheme with New England’s offensive line.
Howe also pointed out a stretch where the position groups worked together for the first time, with Maye throwing 19 straight passes over a stretch where none landed on the ground.
While that may have been the case, Maye admitted after the day was over that his receivers also helped him out on throws that weren’t necessarily on the mark. There were times where his guys had to reach back and make a nice play, with Ja’Lynn Polk being a player who stood out.
“Yeah, man, they look good,” said Maye after the session when asked about Polk and Baker. “I know you all just watched them. They look good. They made some plays in seven on seven. I don’t know if I threw a couple behind them, but they still made the catches. So I don’t know if we have one on the ground yet, and knock on wood.”
Howe noted that overall, including the full positional drills, Maye completed 38-of-39, including a stretch where he went 33-of-33 without anyone defending his throws. He was 5-of-6 during the 7-on-7 period with the defense on the field.
The numbers don’t necessarily reveal some of his off-target throws, but the fact his guys are making plays and that they seem to be all-in this early is encouraging. Listening to Maye and the guys speak after practice also appears to indicate that they’re already developing a good relationship, which is definitely something that should have people excited.
Maye’s leadership role is also on full display. The rookie told reporters that he’s already told his guys to watch practice with him so he can let them know how he saw things as they continue getting on the same page.
“Just trying to get not on myself on my own, but get the other guys around me, get them with me, staying later, getting here earlier,” said Maye. “Just told the receivers to go and watch practice and just hear it from my perspective because that’s what happens on the field. If the ball is in my hands, then I’m going to distribute it to them.”
Javon Baker has been fairly vocal since the moment he was drafted, and on Saturday, he certainly appeared to back it up by what he did on the field.
The overall impression was solid among most reporters, with Howe saying Baker distinguished himself among his peers. The rookie looked smooth and displayed some solid footwork, while also making a couple of plays that helped Maye finish with a strong outing.
Still, as fun as it was to hear Baker come in with the type of confidence he showed when he was drafted, backing it up on the field is something head coach Jerod Mayo emphasized Saturday during his press conference.
“Honestly, for me, I want these guys to have a personality. I want them to feel free to talk about certain things,” said Mayo. “Look, we’ll have rules of what to talk about. But now, once he puts it out there, he has to show it every day out here on the football field. If not, he’s just a talker. And then you start to lose the respect of the locker room and things like that. So, look, he said it, he put it out there, now you got to show us.”
Both Baker and Polk have seemed to already develop a pretty strong bond. After getting drafted, the two worked out together ahead of their arrival in Foxboro and photos of the two taken by the team have shown that they clearly get along well together.
Leading up to the draft, it felt like chemistry and personality were both points of emphasis as Eliot Wolf spoke about traits the team looked for in players. So far, the Patriots appear to have landed some intelligent high-character guys who already seem to be putting down a pretty good foundation.
It’s still early and it’s only one practice. But if first impressions are any indication, this should definitely be a fun team to watch later this summer.
One interesting note from Rich Cimini, who covers the Jets for ESPN, had to do with the fact the club recently parted ways with three members of their “athletic care and performance department,” which was created several years ago to combat a high injury rate.
Details behind the changes weren’t revealed, although a source told Cimini the departures weren’t performance related while one of the staffers left on their own accord.
Obviously, everyone knows how last season started with Aaron Rodgers suffering his Achilles injury, which ended his much-anticipated season before it ever got started.
However, Cimini noted that last season saw injuries across their offensive line, which resulted in 15 different linemen seeing action over the course of having to play 13 different starting combinations up front.
What’s notable is the fact that it feels like these three guys took the fall for what has already been an issue for both the Jets and Giants at MetLife Stadium. That field has been the subject of frustration across the league for its playing surface, with an article by The Sporting News’ Dan Treacy pointing out the alarming number of injuries that occurred there since 2020.
He listed them out:
Nick Bosa (ACL tear)
Solomon Thomas (ACL tear)
Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle sprain)
Raheem Mostert (MCL tear)
Sterling Shepard (Achilles tear)
Sterling Shepard (ACL tear)
Wan’Dale Robinson (ACL tear)
Blake Martinez (Achilles tear)
Shane Lemieux (patellar tendon tear)
Jabrill Peppers (ACL tear)
Kyle Fuller (ACL tear)
Aaron Rodgers (Achilles tear)
Al Woods (Achilles tear)
Jaelan Phillips (TBD)
While Treacy said that the turf can’t necessarily be blamed for all of the injuries, there had been non-contact injuries that certainly stood out.
MetLife actually installed a new playing surface ahead of last season, which appeared to receive positive reviews early on from players.
However, as Treacy points out, the key difference between turf and grass is the fact grass gives way when a player’s foot is caught, often leading to divots. With artificial turf, that often isn’t the case and if their foot gets caught, it increases the chance of injury. Players have also noted that turf feels harder when they’re tackled, compared to a grass surface.
While the NFLPA continues to voice its concerns, it doesn’t change the fact that converting to grass league-wide likely isn’t in the cards. In the meantime, the Jets are moving in a new direction with the staff in charge of trying to keep its players healthy, although it remains to be seen whether or not it will matter given where they play.
Mike Reiss of ESPN reported on Sunday that Mayo and Eagles coach Nick Sirianni have already connected about holding a joint practice this August as the Eagles are expected to visit this preseason. Reiss believes that would happen during the second week of the preseason and would be the only joint session this summer. … Mayo was asked Saturday about Matthew Slater being on his staff, with the head coach calling him an “advisor,” and he liked the fact Slater is someone he can get honest feedback from. “Yeah, Slate is on the staff, and I’m happy about that,” said Mayo. “We came in together in 2008. Whoever would have thought, and I always joke with them, when we were in that room, rookie minicamp, that he would have a gold jacket one day? Hopefully, he does get that gold jacket. But he’s an advisor for me. All things football and, honestly, the things off in the field. He’s a very smart individual, and I would say we see most things the same way. At the same time, I know he’s a guy that would be honest with me. You know, once you put the head coach hat on, it’s hard to find people who are honest with you.” … Mayo was asked if he watched The Roast of Tom Brady on Netflix, and he admitted that he started off watching it, but ended up turning the channel. “It was too much for me,” he said while later adding, “I’m just focused on what I have to do. I think you guys would be nice to me if we win games, not watching Netflix.” … Mayo acknowledged the fact they had “20 try-out guys” there on Saturday, adding that “a few” impressed him. Mayo noted that movement skills and what they pick up in the classroom were things he’s watching, but it’s all about stringing multiple performances together. “You can’t just take one day and say, this guy showed out,” said Mayo. “I know that’s the hot thing to do. At the same time, we’ll do a lot here today, and you guys will get a chance to see these guys as well. Ask me that next time we talk.” … The NFL Schedule is expected to be released on Wednesday, which will obviously provide a roadmap for how things will play out for this new Patriots team. Reiss said during his Sunday column that the club will likely open the season on the road, which New England did to kick things off in 2022 down in Miami. The Patriots opened their season against the Dolphins for three straight years from 2020-2022 (vs Miami, vs Miami, at Miami), while last year saw them open at home against Philadelphia. Prior to that stretch, the Patriots went 2015-2019 opening against someone other than Miami (vs Pittsburgh, at Arizona, vs Kansas City, vs Houston, and vs Pittsburgh). Regardless of who they open against, it would be nice if the schedule makers would at least avoid a hot September day in South Florida and instead allow the first meeting between these teams to happen at Gillette Stadium rather than down in Miami, hopefully keeping that meeting until either December or January.
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