Patriots Training Camp 1: Kyle Williams Makes Catch of the Day

Attendance

Did Not Participate: WR Ja’Lynn Polk

Physically Unable to Perform: WR Mack Hollins, TE Austin Hooper, LT Vederian Lowe

Non-Football Injury: S Josh Minkins

Tweet of the Day

Mike Vrabel’s Top Quotes of Note

On how it feels returning for training camp: I think we’re grateful. I think we’re excited. There’s an energy in the building. The players seemed excited. We had a long meeting. That first training camp meeting is brutal. It is long. There’s a lot of presentations that we have to get in front of them. They stayed engaged and then came in here this morning. I’m excited to hit the field with them, and our coaches are ready to work and continue to build what we started out in the offseason.

On structuring practices: “There’s things that you need to get done and there’s a checklist that you go through, and it relates to the fundamentals, the scheme, the special teams, conditioning, game situations, red zone, third down, two-minute. But the fundamentals are critical. The fundamentals in this game are a foundation, so the foundation has to be built here in training camp. We’ll adjust and add time in the way that we take care of the football, the attention to detail and the ability to turn the football over. Everything that I think that we need to work on, we have to be able to address at some point in time during training camp.”

On what makes a successful training camp: “Build a team … Earn a role … Prepare to win … So, if we can do those things, there’s a reason I try to do this, I don’t claim to be the smartest person, so if I can just try to find some things that I think are important for the team, and the individual, and then kind of coming back to the team. So, if it looks like we build a team, and there’s some cohesion, and guys are enjoying being around each other. Are they competing? Are they taking care of each other? And then are guys starting to figure out, hey, this is going to be my role, I’m going to go try to dominate that, whatever that may be. And then ultimately, are we understanding these situations, and can we try to win a football game? So, that’s what would be successful.”

On what he looks for in a leader: “I hope player and coach can be an extension of the message that I have created, and try to get that across in their own words, and stay consistent to it. That’s why we don’t have a ton of stuff that we try to talk about. We try to stay very consistent, and allow that to kind of branch off, and don’t tell them what to say, but allow them to have some parameters and things that we’re working for. So, we just hope that everybody carries that message over here, as they work to lead their unit or another position.”

Kyle Williams Makes Catch of the Day

It was a quiet, but efficient day for the Patriots’ top offense.

Though Drake Maye completed all of his throws, would-be sacks aside, most were short passes due to pressure and tight coverage. These included connections with Stefon Diggs (2x), DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Antonio Gibson.

When Maye chose his spots wisely when he did go downfield. His only glaring mistake was a near-interception by Jabrill Peppers, but it was an uncharacteristic underthrow with the rush closing in.

Maye’s first shot was a perfect ball over Robert Spillane, who had Hunter Henry draped down the seam. Later, he found Kayshon Boutte over the middle on a play action fake.

The grab of the day went to Williams, attacking a curl target near the sideline with Christian Gonzalez all over him. It was an impressive display of concentration and hand strength against an All Pro defender. Still, like most rookie reps, it wasn’t perfect.

“Backside 1-on-1 with Gonzo, [Kyle] made a big-time catch,” Maye said after practice. “Strong hands. I told him to maybe sell it a little more, just try to give him a go route feel. He’s coming along.”

Williams’ speed, quickness, and savvy could make him the one-on-one winner New England has needed for years. He’s currently rotating with Boutte as the top X, but Williams could earn a larger role by stacking good days and continuing to build rapport with his quarterback.

Notebook

• Stefon Diggs, eight months off a torn ACL, looked impressive in his first full practice. His burst after the catch was noticeable, and there are no glaring limitations in his route running (or his puppy wrangling).
• Kayshon Boutte (X) and Stefon Diggs (Z) were the top outside receivers, but Kyle Williams and Kendrick Bourne also mixed in with the top offense.
• There were several new developments along the offensive line, particularly inside. Rookie Jared Wilson, who didn’t participate in the spring, rotated with top center Garrett Bradbury. Career tackle Caedan Wallace was the top backup at left guard, and fellow 2024 pick Layden Robinson switched back to right guard while repping with the third team. Veteran signing Yasir Durant repped at left tackle, where he played during his championship run in the UFL.
• Rookie Craig Woodson nearly deflected a downfield throw to Kendrick Bourne, but the veteran recovered to make an impressive grab while falling to the turf.
• Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams was back with the team after suffering a health scare in the spring. Defensive tackle Milton Williams called him a “smart dude,” praising the coach’s experience and track record of success.
• Joshua Dobbs threw an ugly interception over the middle that was intercepted by D.J. James. Intended target Javon Baker appeared to run the wrong route, but Dobbs’ accuracy was up and down on the day. The veteran also threw behind Baker on an earlier slant and missed wide to Efton Chism III.