FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — In some respects, Tuesday saw arguably Drake Maye’s best fully padded training camp practice. On the other hand, it finished with a reminder that the New England Patriots rookie still has a long way to go.
Maye popped early but struggled late in the practice, his final tune-up for Thursday’s home preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. Overall, New England’s defense outperformed the offense on a chilly, dreary afternoon in Foxboro.
Let’s go over everything that stood out on Day 11 of Patriots training camp.
Highlights From Jerod Mayo’s Press Conference
Mayo began his press conference by addressing the overnight Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors.
“I know what all of you guys want to know,” Mayo said. “One thing I did learn from Bill [Belichick] is I just — I don’t talk about players on other teams. So, just let me go ahead and say that now. But I remember as a player, I appreciated that. I appreciated that the only opinions that mattered were inside the walls. So, I’m still trying to apply that now going forward.”
Jerod Mayo arrives … deflecting on Brandon Aiyuk topic. pic.twitter.com/rsF1UhBfev
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 6, 2024
Here are some other key quotes:
On the receiver group: “Those guys are working hard. They’re getting better every day. Now, from Eliot (Wolf’s) and my perspective, we’re always trying to get better, no matter what position we’re talking about, no matter how those guys get here, whether it’s through cuts or through trades or whatever, we’re always looking to improve our team and win now.”
On Matthew Judon’s recent comments and practice participation: “Judon is doing what he has to do. He’s out here every day. He’s in pads; he’ll be in pads today as well. He’s doing everything in the meeting rooms. Look, it was a hiccup, and I feel like we’re on the same page, and we’re moving forward.”
On whether Drake Maye will play in the preseason opener: “Drake will play. Drake will play, and when he gets in the game, we’ll talk about that, but he will play in the game. Look, everyone who is healthy enough to play in the game will play in the game. That’s more than you’ve ever gotten before.”
On whether all four QBs will play: “As of today, that’s the plan, to have all of those guys out there playing. Once again, it goes back to competing. So, yesterday, you guys saw the live tackling period and things like that, that I think is very important. You don’t want the first time these guys have to get hit or hit someone else to be in the preseason game.”
On whether Jacoby Brissett will start on Thursday: “That’s the plan. Once again, look, I’m telling you guys this today. I mean, it could change as the week continues to progress, but that is the plan.”
On Kendrick Bourne being named in the Aiyuk rumors: “Honestly, I did talk to him this morning, and it was a good conversation. Once again, I feel like the story is so much further along than anything else. I just wanted to make sure we cleared the air. I do believe in being transparent with the players and really just setting those guys at ease.”
Patriots Practice Observations for Tuesday, Aug. 6
Attire
Full pads.
Attendance
The following players were absent from practice:
- LB Sione Takitaki (PUP)
- OL Cole Strange (PUP)
- DT Christian Barmore
- S/LB Marte Mapu
- CB Marcus Jones
- WR Kendrick Bourne
- OT Chukwuma Okorafor
- LB Josh Uche
Okorafor and Jones remained sidelined due to undisclosed injuries, with the former watching practice in street clothes.
Uche was limited for the third consecutive practice. He spent time on the lower rehab field and didn’t participate in team drills.
Barmore, who was diagnosed with blood clots on Sunday, has now missed seven consecutive practices. It’s unclear whether he’ll return at any point this season.
Mapu hasn’t practiced since the start of camp. He’s watched in street clothes every day, and his injury situation remains a mystery.
Strange continues to rehab from a torn patellar tendon suffered late last season. He might sit out half the 2024 season, if not the entire campaign.
Bourne, who’s rehabbing a torn ACL, didn’t participate and watched the second half of practice in street clothes.
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Takitaki is still recovering from an offseason knee scope, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. The veteran linebacker previously said he wouldn’t miss a single day of camp, but he’s yet to appear in a single practice.
Here are some additional injury notes:
- DeMario Douglas remained in a red non-contact jersey.
- Rookie tackle Caedan Wallace went to the trainers’ shed late in practice but rejoined his teammates shortly afterward. Whatever it was, it didn’t appear to be serious.
- Left tackle Sidy Sow didn’t participate in team drills. It’s unclear whether he’s dealing with an injury.
- Safety Joshuah Bledsoe returned after consecutive practice absences.
- Linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley appeared to suffer an arm/elbow injury and missed the rest of practice.
- Receiver Tyquan Thornton didn’t participate in team drills and worked on the lower practice field. After practice, Thornton said he’s “monitoring” a soft tissue injury.
Matthew Judon Watch
Judon didn’t participate on Tuesday, but it was hard to tell whether the absence was related to his ongoing contract dispute.
The star edge rusher was present and in pads for the start of practice. But after the stretching period, Judon spoke to a trainer and left the field. He later returned without pads or a helmet but with his cleats on, and watched the rest of practice.
So, your guess is as good as ours.
Judon, who’s entering a contract season and isn’t guaranteed any money, has gone public with his desire for a new deal. His practice participation has fluctuated throughout camp.
Patriots’ QB Training Camp Battle | Day 11
(Note: I don’t track quarterback stats when the offense is working off cards.)
Jacoby Brissett
11-on-11s: 11 of 17, four sacks
7-on-7s: 1 of 4
Brissett saw a heavy workload on Tuesday, a potential indication he’ll see minimal snaps in the preseason game.
It was a spotty performance for the veteran, as pressure was an issue throughout practice, and Brissett occasionally held onto the ball for too long. He connected with Jalen Reagor on an excellent touchdown during 7-on-7s but also committed multiple overthrows. Brissett completed five consecutive passes during one period, including three straight to Douglas.
So, there were highs and lows. But he still looked like the clear leader in the quarterback competition.
Drake Maye
11-on-11s: 5 of 10, interception, two drops
7-on-7s: 3 of 4
Maye started practice with a bang, with a beautiful end-zone fade TD to Kayshon Boutte, representing one of his best plays of the summer. He also was 5 of 6 in 11-on-11s before a late two-minute drill.
And the two-minute drill was rough. Maye went 0 for 4, including a tip-drill interception to rookie corner Marcellas Dial Jr. The ball was intended for Javon Baker, but Maye went high with the throw, which was tipped before landing in Dial’s hands. The same series also saw a pair of drops and a pass intended for Mitchell Wilcox that was broken up.
Still, it was just one period, and Maye was victimized by iffy receiver play. He also played behind a makeshift O-line, which gave up multiple pressures. The ugly two-minute drill spoiled an otherwise impressive practice for the rookie.
Joe Milton III
11-on-11s: 2 of 2
7-on-7s: 2 of 4
Joe Milton III had his moments, including a pair of completions to rookie Ja’Lynn Polk. But he also sailed two passes and wasn’t asked to do much. Let’s see how he does in the preseason game.
Bailey Zappe
11-on-11s: 4 of 7
7-on-7s: zero reps
Bailey Zappe’s extended 11-on-11 period was marred by drops, multiple pressures, and a pre-snap penalty. It wasn’t good. However, he did make a great deep throw to Boutte, who caught the ball but appeared to land out of bounds.
Best and Worst Performances From Day 11 of Patriots Training Camp
LB Anfernee Jennings | STUD
Anfernee Jennings was a force early in practice when he racked up two sacks in the initial 11-on-11 period. He’s been solid all summer and remains arguably the best edge-setter on the roster.
MORE: Simulate the NFL Season With PFN’s Playoff Predictor
Could Jennings pick up the pass-rushing slack if the Patriots trade Judon? Perhaps, although that responsibility likely would fall onto Keion White’s shoulders. Regardless, Jennings is a quality pass rusher and one of the Patriots’ most underrated players.
WR Jalen Reagor | STUD
Reagor’s impressive training camp continued, as he finished with four catches in team periods. He caught three consecutive passes from Maye during an 11-on-11 drill and delivered a highlight-reel TD during 7-on-7s. I still believe Reagor earns a spot on the 53-man roster, especially given his added value as an elite kick returner.
WR Javon Baker | STUD
It was an inconsistent practice for Baker, who factored into Maye’s interception and saw another pass bounce off his hands. He’s had far better practices.
However, Baker lands this section due to his incredible 15-yard touchdown against Christian Gonzalez in 11-on-11s. The pass from Brissett was perfect, and Baker dove near the edge of the end zone before snatching the ball. It was hard to tell whether his feet were in bounds, but the entire offense celebrated.
RB Kevin Harris | DUD
Kevin Harris is on a cold streak after a stretch of impressive practices. He dropped a pass from Zappe during team drills and committed a fumble during an 11-on-11 period with Maye at quarterback. Fumbling has been an issue for Harris throughout his career, and performances like the one we saw on Tuesday won’t help him in his quest for a roster spot.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster | DUD
Another day, another drop for JuJu Smith-Schuster, who seemingly has at least one bad moment per practice. He looks uncomfortable, unsure of himself, and resigned to his potential release. At this point, it’s fair to wonder whether he’ll even make it to roster cutdown day.
CB Christian Gonzalez | DUD
I’m not sure what to make of Gonzalez’s camp. There have been good days, bad days, and days that lie somewhere in between.
Tuesday was another mixed bag for the sophomore cornerback, who played well for stretches but also gave up the touchdown to Baker. Gonzalez has given up his fair share of plays this summer, arguably too many for a player who’s supposed to be a shutdown corner.
There’s no reason for Patriots fans to panic, but Gonzalez needs to be more consistent.
Assorted Patriots’ Notes and Highlights From Day 11 of Camp
- This was the chilliest and wettest practice of camp, and I’m not complaining. Most of the first 10 practices were brutally hot and humid.
- Defensive tackle Trysten Hill had another solid practice, including a strip sack of Zappe. He’s making a strong case for a roster spot.
- Kicking competition update: Chad Ryland went 4 of 4; Joey Slye went 3 of 4 with a miss from 50 yards.
- Some fans started a “Start Drake Maye” chant early in practice.
Jacoby Brissett misses an easy pass and fans start chanting “Start Drake Maye”
–#patriots #newenglandpatriots #nfl
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/kDxS8qB65l— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 6, 2024
- Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Dell Pettus, and Joe Giles-Harris all had pass breakups.
- I credited the defense with six “sacks” while other reporters logged as many as eight. Regardless, it was a rough pass-blocking performance.
- The Patriots spent a lot of time on end-zone fade routes, with mixed results. Maye shined.
- These were the top offensive line combinations, from left to right:
First group: Vederian Lowe, Michael Jordan, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Calvin Anderson
Second group: Caedan Wallace, Layden Robinson, Nick Leverett, Atonio Mafi, Zuri Henry. - It’s unclear why Sow, the top left guard throughout camp, didn’t participate. He’s been excellent all summer, so the Patriots might’ve been managing an injury and/or his workload.
- This was Lowe’s fifth consecutive practice as the top left tackle. That follows Wallace’s three-practice run in the same role, so it’ll be interesting to see when/if the Patriots throw the combinations back into a blender.
- Brissett and Peppers engaged in some lighthearted trash talk after an 11-on-11 period.
- Here are additional highlights from Tuesday’s practice. The Patriots will take Wednesday off before hosting the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night in both teams’ preseason opener.
.@KJ_Osborn GRIDDY ALERT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/NiJlnObr0p
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 6, 2024
Jalen Reagor teaching Tyquan Thornton how to dance at practice? 😂
–#patriots #newenglandpatriots #nfl
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/v2VsFH3OiE— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 6, 2024
K.J. Osborn with a Clean One-Handed catch 🔥
–#patriots #newenglandpatriots #nfl
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/HCz2mNGAPw— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 6, 2024
Joe Milton wouldn’t stop dancing at Training Camp today 😂
–#patriots #newenglandpatriots #nfl
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/Exy6iJYwlo— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 6, 2024
Joe Milton with a great pass to Ja’Lynn Polk
–#patriots #newenglandpatriots #nfl
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/BYufqQcx9k— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 6, 2024
Drake Maye with a great pass to Kayshon Boutte
–#patriots #newenglandpatriots #nfl
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/uQjT9Z400h— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 6, 2024