MORSE: Schedule Release and Patriots Rookie Camp Recap

The Schedule Release

The NFL is scheduled to release the full schedule tomorrow. The Patriots have the second most difficult Strength of Schedule of listed opponents according to NFL Analyst for NBC and Fox, Warren Sharp. Rumor has it the Patriots will play in England this year.

Patriots OTA on Horizon

The Patriots have an OTA scheduled for May 20, 21 and May 23^rd of next week.

Rookie Camp Concludes

In another move to create a more open relationship with the media, Head Coach Jerod Mayo opened one of the practices to the media. We got our first glance at the draft picks, UDFA signees and tryout players. The Patriots had 23 tryout players, 8 draft picks and 9 Undrafted Free Agents at camp. The extraordinary number of players, much more than in the days of Bill Belichick, was manageable because the coaching staff has expanded to over 20 coaches.

It was observed that Jerod Mayo did not spend much time with any one group but meandered amongst all the groups. Unfairly Greg Bedard characterized this as being unprepared for the job. I look at it and say that Mayo is letting his coaches do the individual group coaching. It is a different day and age post-Belichick.

Drake Maye was concentrating on footwork, and everything was going at a slower pace. Coach Mayo stated that he needs work and that he will get there because he is a hard worker and puts in the time needed to understand the offense. Joe Milton has a rocket for an arm, and it showed with some of the receivers unable to catch his passes.

The two rookie wideouts looked great in shorts and shells as does every NFL player. Let’s see when they start to put NFL caliber DBs up against them.

Interesting note that Caedan Wallace played exclusively at Left Tackle and Layden Robinson played at Left Guard. Ryan Johnson, the tryout player whom they signed at the conclusion of camp was the Center. I think we are seeing the Patriots coaching staff’s concern about the recovery of Cole Strange. He is not expected back until the start of Training Camp.

Transactions

The Patriots signed 4 tryout players after their rookie camp and cut a veteran.

Signed

Jay Person Edge Chattanooga 6’2.2” 234 Lbs 4.78e 40

A quad injury prevented Person from running a 40 at his Pro Day (40 estimate is from NFL Draftscout). The two-time Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2022 and 2023) is a terrific pass rusher with 16.5 sacks the last two years. He also averages 1.45 Tackles for Loss per game. During his 5-year career he accumulated 228 tackles. Perhaps his age scared some teams off, since Person is already 24 years old. This is how Person described himself in an interview with NFL Draft Diamonds. When asked what makes him an NFL prospect, Person responded “My intense high speed of play, being every down guy, and simply making big plays in big time moments”. He went on to say that “I will come to work every day and give 110% on the field and in the film room”.

Terrell Jennings RB Florida A&M 5’11.2” 216 Lbs 4.66 40

One of the Rattlers’ all-time leaders in rushing. Last season he rushed 120 times for 705 (5.86 YPC) yards and 10 TDs. For his career he rushed for 1851 yards and 24 TDs. FAMU didn’t throw him the ball much, but it is believed he can be an effective pass catcher out of the backfield. Grew up with Patriots Pop Douglas.

Ryan Johnson OL Youngstown State 6’2” 306

Transferred from Duquesne. Played primarily at Right Guard and some at Right Tackle. Projects as a Center and that is where he played with the top line in the rookie camp.

The Patriots Transaction Press Release listed Johnson at the above listed 6’2” 306 lbs. The Youngstown State website has him listed at 6’4” 315 lbs. He started 27 games between Duquesne and D1 Youngstown State.

Jotham Russell Edge International Pathway (Australia Rugby) 6’4” 239 lbs

Russell is trying convert his athleticism and toughness from his Rugby background into an NFL career. The Patriots received a roster exemption for Russell, and he doesn’t count toward the limit of 90 players in camp. We will have to wait and see what he looks like in training camp and joint practices. According to Russell, “I’m very excited, the closer it gets to more real it feels,” he said. He is just 20 years old.

Russell stated, “You count down the days, so I’m keen to get there, switch on fully and get the (training) schedule. It’s a huge opportunity.”

I saw a picture of Russell in pads and helmet with an IMG jersey. He started working out there in January, so the Patriots are not going into this blind. They have seen what he can do and that’s why they signed him.

Released

Ke’Shawn Vaughn RB – Vaughn was signed as depth and was on the Practice Squad. He didn’t play a down for the team. Vaughn from Vanderbilt was a former third round pick by Tampa Bay in the 2020 draft.

Remarkable Story of Calvin Anderson’s Health Scare

As many can recall, Anderson missed nearly all of Training Camp with a mysterious illness. It has been reported that illness was malaria. Anderson and his wife went on a trip to Africa where it is believed that Anderson contracted the disease.

His wife rushed him to the hospital where he had a 104 temp. Not only did Anderson lose weight but he also suffered side effects with his heart. The players were very appreciative of Anderson’s effort to get back in the lineup for the opening game, but he was a shell of himself.

Eventually, he went on IR for the season. He is back to his old self and is working out with his teammates in the off-season program. It should be interesting to see where he is at when it comes time to put on the pads.

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About Mark Morse

Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.

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