Patriots Training Camp 15: Offense Experiences Highs and Lows vs Vikings

The Patriots kicked off their first of two joint practices against the Minnesota Vikings.

Here’s a look at attendance, Mike Vrabel’s most notable soundbites from his pre-practice press conference, and my offense-focused thoughts on today’s session.

Attendance

Absent/Did Not Participate: WR Kendrick Bourne, CB Christian Gonzalez, TE Hunter Henry, CB D.J. James, RB Terrell Jennings, LB Marte Mapu, WR Ja’Lynn Polk, ED Elijah Ponder, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, LB Jahlani Tavai

Limited: DT Christian Barmore, CB Carlton Davis

Tweet of the Day

Mike Vrabel’s Top Quotes of Note

On the agenda for joint practices: “We’ll be more in the red zone tomorrow. We’ll be out on the field today, more full-field stuff. Doing a thing here that Kevin likes to do, play second-and-long, which for us would be a get back on track. We’re trying to get back half the yardage to get in third-and-manageable and then play out whatever third down scenario comes of that. So, I think that’ll be a great opportunity for us to see if they blitz, if they play zone and what we need to do on both sides of the ball to try to keep them in third-and-long. Then offensively, we’ve got to try to get some yards back to help our third down offense. So, that’ll be something that probably will look a little different. Second-and-10 and then it’ll go to third-and-2 or it’ll go to third-and-10.”

On what makes the Vikings defense a unique challenge: “They do a lot. They communicate; they disguise very well. They’ll show you something and then rotate to another coverage. There’s ability to pressure players from all three levels, from the front, from the linebackers and from the third level. So, you’ll get different personnel groupings that we’ll have to be ready for. We’ll get different movements, run pressures and coverages where the quarterback has to be aware, whether it’s man or some kind of rolled trap coverage that we have to be careful about where we’re throwing the football. ”

On what makes the Vikings offense challenging to face: “There’s an urgency to which they operate. They’re good up front. Excellent, skilled players. The ball comes out quick. They don’t wait out things, and there’s a good blend of what they’re trying to do. They’ll move the pocket. So again, it’s a very good personnel group. See how they said it, check me if I’m wrong. You guys back home should start saying that sometimes.”

On Jaylinn Hawkins repping with starters: “I think he’s done a nice job of coming in, communicating and playing pretty much all the different techniques that we’ve asked these guys to do on the back end. I think he’s playing with some speed and plays with some physicality. You saw a couple passes out to the perimeter that he was on and tight coverage in the game. I just really evaluated him and decided to get him back from last year. He did a nice job and played all special teams, played a lot of defense when guys went down. So, he’s continuing to take advantage of his opportunities, and then we’ll see where that goes.”

On Kyle Dugger repping less with the starting defense: “I think just making sure that he’s where he needs to be and understanding the coverage concepts and everything we do. Keep working and keep progressing. A lot of this is the guys that have earned a right to take a look with that first unit, and again, there’ll be different lineups and different things, so just focus on the reps that you get. Right now, his attitude’s been great, and he’s had a long recovery in the offseason. He’s been out there, and he’s continued to get better and work, and I think the more that he practices, the better he’s going to feel and the more that it’s going to translate onto the football field.”

Offense Experiences Highs and Lows vs Vikings

Between their talent, diverse pressures and disguises, and Brian Flores’ exceptional coaching, the Vikings’ defense is one of the most league’s most challenging units to face. It was a big step up in competition for Drake Maye’s offense, one that included some high highs and low lows, but New England kept things competitive throughout Wednesday’s session.

Maye had a strong start to 7-on-7s, completing short passes to TreVeyon Henderson and Stefon Diggs (2x) before hitting Henderson on a vertical from pistol. Henderson showed impressive tracking along the sideline, and though officials marked it incomplete, media members agreed it looked like a contested catch.

The starters’ next series was less positive. Maye began by targeting a wide open Kyle Williams on a corner, but the pass landed nowhere near the receiver, who potentially ran the wrong route. Maye then had a scary miss high over the the middle to DeMario Douglas, but he recovered with a comeback completion to Kayshon Boutte, who showed fancy footwork along the sideline.

On the first drive of 11-on-11s, Douglas fumbled a screen that was recovered by the defense, then Maye threw over his head along the boundary on a scramble (bailed out by a defensive penalty elsewhere). Maye got into more of a rhythm on the next possession, finding Diggs up the seam on a fake bubble screen and completing multiple short passes. He also exploited a blown coverage for a Mack Hollins deep score one drive later, a play that ended with Hollins punting the ball because he wanted more energy from the offense. Unfortunately, that rep was sandwiched between an incomplete comeback to Williams and another sideline throw to the rookie that should’ve been intercepted by Byron Murphy Jr. (credit to the corner for an excellent close on the ball).

There were other late mistakes, including a missed flea flicker to Efton Chism and a near-pick on what looked like an anticipation throw to Boutte, but Maye largely ended on a high note. He hit an open Douglas on a sail route, found Douglas over the middle to beat zone, threw Boutte open with perfect touch on a corner route, and exploited another blown coverage to hit TreVeyon Henderson for a long score on a wheel.

Adjusting to the speed of a new, unique opponent provided clear issues for the Patriots’ top offense. That said, Maye showed discipline and was opportunistic as a passer. Pressure was also a factor throughout practice, which didn’t make things easier on the young quarterback. Overall, it was a promising session with plenty to fix, and Josh McDaniels now has valuable teach tape to show his unit.

New England will look to have a more consistent day tomorrow, when the teams will focus more on red zone work.

Notebook

• Stefon Diggs turned it on against his former team, having what may have been his best day of camp. During 1-on-1s, he torched Jeff Okudah off the line for an easy win on a corner, then showed excellent late hands on a go ball against Byron Murphy Jr. He was also automatic when targeted during team drills.
• DeMario Douglas’ fumble was a rare glaring mistake from the receiver, but outside of that and slipping on his first rep of 1-on-1s, the slot receiver dominated Minnesota’s defenders. He burned Murphy Jr. on crossing and sail routes, drew a defensive pass interference during 1-on-1s, and was reliable working middle-field zones. Douglas and Diggs should be a good foundation for this receiving corps, even if more juice is needed outside.
• Efton Chism, who continued getting work with Drake Maye today, looked similarly unguardable. He caught multiple downfield targets from both quarterbacks, drew a DPI of his own, and was open for a touchdown on a flea flicker that Maye overshot.
• Joshua Dobbs threw two interceptions today. The first was a pick-six where Mack Hollins’ defender undercut his route and capitalized on a ball thrown slightly inside. The second appeared to be a robber coverage where Dobbs tried targeting Chism over the middle, and it too almost ended in a defensive score. Dobbs has his moments, but his inaccuracy and decision-making have been concerning at times.
• One of Dobbs’ positive moments was a 50-yard touchdown to Javon Baker on a deep ball, though Baker dropped another open go target later in practice. Baker’s work on special teams continues to stand out, as he took a Viking to the ground during a special teams period and almost ignited a skirmish.
• Just about everyone on the Patriots’ top offensive line gave up significant pressures, including three straight sacks at one point. New England was also called for two holds.
• Carlton Davis did not participate in practice until team periods.
• Andy Borregales took all field goal reps today and went 5-6, missing his final attempt from 54 yards out.
• Mike Vrabel said Rhamondre Stevenson’s absences have been due to “some residual stuff” from the Commanders game.