Patriots Training Camp 12: Drake Maye Carves Up Commanders

Attendance

Absent/Did Not Participate: CB Carlton Davis, CB Christian Gonzalez, ED K’Lavon Chaisson, LB Jahlani Tavai, G Sidy Sow, G Caedan Wallace, WR Kendrick Bourne

Late Arrival: WR Stefon Diggs

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Mike Vrabel’s Top Quotes of Note

On the goal of joint practices: “Well, the goal is just to be able to put the identity out on the field against another team, to put the fundamentals that we put out there, the installation, to be able to do it against another defense, to be able to adjust to different play styles of players, players that maybe are longer or quicker or stronger, just different play styles of each player throughout this league. Worked with a team that we have a lot of respect for, a team that was very good and played their best football late in the season, which is why they had an opportunity late in the season in the tournament, a lot of respect for DQ (Dan Quinn) and his coaching staff, so it just is a good fit.”

On whether starters will play in Friday’s scrimmage: “Again, focused on today and they’ll get a lot of reps today, different situations and again, I would say most everybody that’s healthy should expect to play in the game. How long they’ll play, I don’t know, but we have to prepare to play in football games and prepare to win football games. So, that’s the mentality that we’re going to take.”

On TreVeyon Henderson: “I mean, he seems to be a quick learner and if there’s something that happens in production, he rarely makes the same mistake twice. Great teammate. I mean, you see him playing with effort when he doesn’t have the ball in his hand and he’s been able to do some things in the run game and learns quickly to be able to move him around in different positions offensively.”

On if Morgan Moses is being eased back in or dealing with something new: “Probably a combination of both and just want to be smart and make sure that everybody’s plan is the best one for them to be prepared for the season. So, Morgan will do a little bit today, won’t do much, and then we’ll see where he is at the next opportunity, which would be Friday.”

On whether be spoke to players about fighting: “We want to practice the same way we’ve practiced against our team and that’s by playing physical and aggressive and not doing stuff that hurts the team and certainly don’t expect any of that and if it does, we’ll have to handle it accordingly. You have to be able to play competitively and physically without letting your emotions get the best of you.”

On Larry Izzo-esque qualities that he looks for in special teams players: “Well, a passion for playing football, competitive spirit, production I think would be the biggest thing. Understanding speed and space and blocking angles. It’s a skill and it’s an art and certainly Larry did it as well as anybody. So, I would say that the competitive spirit would probably be at the top of the list if you’re looking for adjectives to describe Larry.”

Drake Maye Carves Up Commanders

Drake Maye brought his A-game during today’s joint practice against the Commanders.

The sophomore has shown poise and sound decision-making all summer, and he continued to find open receivers while keeping his eyes downfield against pressure. Even more impressive was Maye having one of his most accurate days in a summer plagued by spray misses. He completed multiple downfield and tight-window throws, and, in typical Drake Maye fashion, did a great job sharing the wealth.

The first noteworthy completion came on a crosser to DeMario Douglas with Mike Sainristil trailing. Douglas continues to look like Maye’s top target, and he showed his explosive YAC ability on a trio of drag routes. The pair’s only miscue was a rare Douglas drop on a sail route where he got wide open.

During a later team period, Maye showed his ability to move defenders by looking off coverage and getting Austin Hooper open over the middle. He then connected with Mack Hollins on an outside hole shot to between zone defenders. Maye

Maye’s success continued in the Red Zone, where he threw touchdowns to Kayshon Boutte, Hunter Henry, and Hollins. Henry (pick play) and Hollins (bootleg) got wide open on their scores, but Boutte’s touchdown came on a backshoulder fade with Marshon Lattimore in near-perfect coverage. TreVeyon Henderson also dropped a touchdown after getting free on a wheel route.

Maye’s only obvious miscues were what looked like a miscommunication on an early throw, slightly errant completions to Hollins (dig) and Douglas (drag), and an interception late in practice. To the quarterback’s credit, his turnover was more of a learning moment and great defensive effort than a turnover-worthy play.

Maye targeted an open Douglas in the end zone, but the pass was tipped by Bobby Wagner and picked off by Sainristil. “I think I could have looked him a different way and he barely got a hand out,” Maye told reporters. “I tried to throw it with some speed down there in the red zone to hopefully not have tip balls, but a good play by him. Unfortunate, but I think it was a good play, I think reading the eyes.”

Ending the day on a turnover was less than ideal, but for the vast majority of practice, Maye looked like the real deal against a talented veteran defense.

Notebook

• TreVeyon Henderson showed his physicality in pass pro by taking Von Miller to the ground late in practice. The players got into it and Mike Vrabel dove in to break things up. Will Campbell then joined the pile-up and accidentally cut Vrabel’s face. The head coach joked with DeMario Douglas after the skirmish, “You should’ve seen the other guy.”
• Will Campbell lost at least one of two reps against former Patriot Deatrich Wise during 1-on-1 pass rush. Campbell bounced back with a quiet stretch during team periods. Fellow rookie Jared Wilson was perfect in 1-on-1s and appeared to maintain that momentum throughout practice.
• Demontrey Jacobs and Marcus Bryant rotated at right tackle with Morgan Moses not participating. Mike Vrabel said Bryant, who seemed to have the better day, “gotten better each and every day” while working at both tackle spots.
• Garrett Bradbury and Ben Brown got snaps at center with both the top and backup offenses, with Bradbury getting the majority of top reps.
• Stefon Diggs arrived late and didn’t participate until 7-on-7s, but was targeted by Drake Maye on three straight attempts for two completions.
• The Patriots ground game struggled against the Commanders’ front, with positive gains being few and far between. Rhamondre Stevenson’s first run was quickly blown up, but Henderson showed his explosiveness on a toss.
• Javon Baker caught a slant for six points during Red Zone drills, and he likely should’ve drawn defensive pass interference after beating Jonathan Jones deep. Unfortunately, Baker nearly had a fade target intercepted, and he might’ve been penalized for throwing the ball in the air after his touchdown. The second-year receiver has climbed the depth chart due to his unique skill set and highlight plays, but consistency still eludes him.
• Mack Hollins had two tough drops in today’s practice, but he combined for five receptions from Maye and Joshua Dobbs. Hollins’ best play was a 30-yard slot fade touchdown on a drop in the bucket from Dobbs. He also went up for a high dig throw from Maye.
• Andres Borregales finally got a leg up in the kicker competition, going 4-4 while Parker Romo went 3-4 after a rare miss.
• Efton Chism was open consistently while working with the backup offense. He toasted Jon Jones on a whip route and made himself available for a completion on a Dobbs scramble.
• Gee Scott Jr. caught a crosser from Dobbs on a play-action dropback. The Ohio State alum is the only backup tight end who’s shown up downfield this summer.
• Alex Austin, Miles Battle, and Kobee Minor all broke up passes during the final Red Zone period. Austin forced two incompletions, both on fade targets, but was called for pass interference against former teammate K.J. Osborn. Despite the blemish, Austin continues to have a solid summer.
• Kyle Dugger spent a lot of time with the backup defense and struggled when covering Zach Ertz.
• I was focused on the Patriots’ offense today, but their pass rush looked dominant in the few snaps I did see. Christian Barmore (who got a snap at right outside linebacker in a NASCAR package) tossed Nick Allegretti on one particular 1-on-1 rep, and he flashed along with Milton Williams and Harold Landry. Run-stopping nose tackle Khyris Tonga also continues to surprise with his bull rush.