FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots‘ first post-training camp practice was simultaneously noteworthy and a whole lot of nothing.
On one hand, the practice wasn’t competitive, with both the offense and defense playing off cards as the Patriots ramped up their preparation for Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders. Both scout teams saw extended work, and there wasn’t any live tackling.
On the other hand, Maye saw his first full-pads practice reps with the starting offense, including center David Andrews. What that could mean for the Patriots’ quarterback competition remains to be seen.
Let’s get into everything that stood out in Wednesday’s Patriots practice.
Patriots Practice Observations for Wednesday, Aug. 21
Attire
Full pads.
Attendance
The following players were absent from practice:
- OL Cole Strange (PUP)
- TE Hunter Henry
- DT Christian Barmore
- DT Mike Purcell
- OT Calvin Anderson
Henry missed his sixth consecutive practice due to a leg/foot injury.
Barmore and Strange both remained out and are candidates to sit out the entire season
The injury details on Anderson, Slye, and Purcell are unclear.
Marte Mapu, Shaun Wade, Sione Takitaki, Mitchell Wilcox, Oshane Ximines, and Kendrick Bourne were present but were limited and didn’t participate in team drills.
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Here are some additional injury notes:
- Starting left tackle Vederian Lowe left practice with an apparent back/side injury and didn’t return.
- Center Nick Leverett and edge rusher Josh Uche both returned.
- Linebacker Raekwon McMillan wore a red non-contact jersey for the first time this summer.
Highlights From Jerod Mayo’s Press Conference
On how he’ll split quarterback reps in the preseason finale: “It’ll be a little different; I’m going to keep that close to the vest, though. But look, all the quarterbacks will play in the game.”
On Takitaki and Bourne’s injuries: “You know, when those guys are ready to come back, they’ll be out here practicing. That’s the hard part. I don’t like to put time limits or deadlines on it. When they’re ready to play, we get them from the weightlifting staff and also Jim Whalen and his staff, then we’ll go with it.”
On Uche’s lingering injury: “It’s something that happened during the summer. I don’t think it’s major, but put him in the bucket of once he’s ready, he’ll go. He is dealing with something, though.”
On Mapu’s undisclosed injury: “I would love to say day-to-day, but we’re probably talking week-to-week. I’m sure no one has ever said that before to you guys, but week-to-week.”
On not wanting to be referred to as a “player’s coach”: “I just think I’m going to be a great coach. Whether you want to call it – whatever you want to label it as, more power to you. It’s the same thing when people say, ‘Well, he’s a Black coach.’ No, I want to be a good coach first, that happens to be Black. That’s kind of how I see it. I happened to be a player at one point in time.”
Jerod Mayo said the Patriots will work off cards for a good chunk of today's practice as they ramp up preparation for the Commanders and the Bengals pic.twitter.com/yIhcsEr4WH
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) August 21, 2024
On if he believes Maye would be ready to start if called upon: “100%. I think he’s ready to run a huddle.”
On Layden Robinson competing with Sidy Sow at left guard: “He’s strung a few weeks together here, and that’s the thing. I told these guys at the beginning of camp: there are more people in this room than there are jobs, and so either you’re going to hold on to your job, or someone’s going to take your job. I would say all those guys have been battling. So, it’s going to be a tough decision.”
On the timeline for choosing a starting QB: “I would say by Monday night, we should know who the quarterback is. A Sunday night game, it’s always hard to really crank through the film. Especially on the road. But I think Monday, Tuesday, you probably need to know who it is. Now, that doesn’t mean I’ll tell you on Monday or Tuesday.”
On the current state of the QB competition: “It’s still a competition, and Jacoby is still QB1. It’s a competition amongst all the guys on the field, including the quarterback spot. So, hopefully that makes sense to you guys. But he’s still QB1.”
Patriots’ QB Battle
Normally, I use this section to share QB stats from competitive 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 periods. But stats from this practice are practically useless, as the Patriots were focusing on scout-team work and running at half-speed, and much of the practice appeared to be scripted. Instead, I’ve listed the starter’s reps for each quarterback.
Jacoby Brissett
Starter’s reps: 18
Brissett saw the majority of reps with the starting offense but wasn’t sharp. Marcellas Dial Jr. intercepted Brissett on his first throw of practice, and Brissett should’ve been picked off two other teams. Again, those reps require context, and it’s possible Brissett was told to throw to those spots, but they still weren’t great throws.
Regardless, Brissett was the first QB on the field during all team periods and remains the Patriots’ top quarterback — for now.
Drake Maye
Starter’s reps: Three
Maye took three total snaps from Andrews during live periods. However, he was running against the scout-team defense, which was playing off cards. So, while the reps weren’t truly competitive, they represented Maye’s first full-pads snaps with Andrews since the start of training camp. It’s something.
As for his actual performance, Maye again was confident and decisive. He also delivered two beautiful deep balls, with one dropped by DeMario Douglas and another incomplete to Ja’Lynn Polk.
Maye has momentum — there’s no denying it. He might’ve supplanted Brissett by now if he’d received these kinds of reps early in camp. At this point, it might be too late.
Asked if Sunday night might be a final push to win the starting QB job, Drake Maye says his focus is to take advantage of any opportunity he gets while acknowledging that Jacoby Brissett has taken all the reps with the 1s and has been a great teammate to him. pic.twitter.com/vNE18KeJmn
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 21, 2024
Joe Milton III
Starter’s reps: Zero
No notes other than an interception to Marcus Jones and another near-pick.
Bailey Zappe
Starter’s reps: Zero
Zappe saw more work than Milton, which in the past would have indicated that the latter would play more in the upcoming game. It’s unclear whether the same rules apply to Mayo and his staff.
Best and Worst Performances From Wednesday’s Patriots Practice
DT Daniel Ekuale | STUD
One of the more underrated pass rushers on the Patriots, Daniel Ekuale went 2-0 in linemen 1-on-1s with both victories against Mike Onwenu. It was an impressive showing for a player who could be primed for a big role while Barmore is sidelined.
LB Kobe Jones | STUD
Kobe Jones, who was signed on Tuesday, popped during 1-on-1 tackling drills when he dominated running back Deshaun Fenwick, who landed on his back. Patriots defenders loved it.
OT Caedan Wallace | STUD
Caedan Wallace did well during 1-on-1s (he won both reps I saw) and appeared to hold his own at left tackle after replacing Lowe.
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The rookie might be the short-term answer at left tackle if Lowe is sidelined for an extended time.
WR Javon Baker | DUD
The rookie receiver has been completely invisible for over a week and has plummeted down the depth chart. On Wednesday, he worked with the second-team offense and scout unit.
C Atonio Mafi | DUD
Deatrich Wise Jr. and Sam Roberts both dusted Atonio Mafi during 1-on-1s. It was another ugly day for the second-year interior lineman, who looks like a roster longshot.
K Chad Ryland | DUD
Chad Ryland went 1 of 4 on field goals while Joey Slye went 4 of 4. This kicking competition might be over.
Assorted Patriots’ Notes and Highlights From Wednesday’s Practice
- Purcell was released shortly after practice.
- Jaylinn Hawkins had a “sack” against Brissett.
- Receiver Matt Landers, who was claimed off waivers on Tuesday, made his practice debut and wore No. 9.
- Robert Kraft attended practice.
Your first look at new #Patriots WR Matt Landers: pic.twitter.com/oEnRTffwta
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) August 21, 2024
- This was the top offensive line grouping, from left to right: Lowe/Wallace, Sow, Andrews, Onwenu, Chukwuma Okorafor.
- Wallace filled in at left tackle on the top offensive line after Lowe suffered his injury.
- This was Maye’s O-line during his first scout-team period: Lowe, Robinson, Leverett, Onwenu, Wallace.
- This was Maye’s line during his first live period: Wallace, Robinson, Leverett, Michael Jordan, Okorafor.
- Onwenu didn’t see any reps at right tackle after running as the second-team RT on Saturday and Sunday.
- Keion White also did well during linemen 1-on-1s, as he always does.
- Here are additional highlights from Wednesday’s practice. The Patriots will practice again on Thursday and Friday.
Maye ➡️ Thornton pic.twitter.com/yvdjgBw3Sa
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) August 21, 2024
Drake Maye to Kawaan Baker
–#patriots #nfl #newenglandpatriots
Patriots Coverage Powered by @PrizePicks @Gametime pic.twitter.com/QhG6axH2PF— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 21, 2024
Jacoby Brissett to DeMario Pop Douglas at Patriots Training Camp
–#patriots #nfl #newenglandpatriots
Patriots Coverage Powered by @PrizePicks @Gametime pic.twitter.com/Pdgwzjv3zz— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 21, 2024
Joe Milton to Ja’Lynn Polk
–#patriots #nfl #newenglandpatriots
Patriots Coverage Powered by @PrizePicks @Gametime pic.twitter.com/FcvndzjndP— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 21, 2024
The bee 🐝 is back! 😂
–
“It’s the same one”- Jerod Mayo
–#patriots #nfl #newenglandpatriots
⚡️ by @PrizePicks @Gametime pic.twitter.com/0vyLa2ZSa4— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 21, 2024
