Patriots Training Camp 18: Drake Maye, Top Offense End on a High Note

The Patriots held a competitive practice heavy on team drills and drives starting deep in their own territory.

Here’s a look at attendance and my thoughts on today’s session.

Attendance

Absent/Did Not Participate: WR Javon Baker, WR Kendrick Bourne, CB Christian Gonzalez, WR Efton Chism, ED Anfernee Jennings, RB Terrell Jennings, WR Ja’Lynn Polk, LB Cam Riley, LB Jahlani Tavai, TE Jack Westover, WR Kyle Williams

Released: CB Tre Avery, ED Jereme Robinson

Signed: RB Micah Bernard, IDL Philip Blidi

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Drake Maye, Offense End on a High Note

It wasn’t a pretty start to practice for New England’s top offense.

Defensive pressure felt relentless at times, even when players didn’t reach the quarterback. Christian Barmore, Harold Landry, Jabrill Peppers, and Robert Spillane would’ve had sacks in live action, and their presence seemed to affect Drake Maye’s accuracy at times.

Maye’s first completions came on an out thrown behind Kayshon Boutte, a shallow to Stefon Diggs a flat to Austin Hooper, and a swing screen to Antonio Gibson. Incompletions over that stretch included a slant thrown too far in front of Boutte, an Alex Austin breakup against Boutte on a fade thrown too far inside, and a wide miss on an out to Hunter Henry.

The passing game showed signs of life on the starters’ third drive, with DeMario Douglas catching a crosser for a chunk gain. Mack Hollins made the catch of the day two plays later, climbing the ladder for a one-handed snag on a contested sideline target that didn’t seem catchable (though Maye would’ve been sacked by Spillane).

The top offense’s next drive featured bad misses on outs to Henry and Douglas, but Maye bounced back on his last two series’. He found Douglas on a sail route, Austin Hooper down the seam off run action, and Diggs on a well-covered in route.

Maye saved his best for a one-minute drill to end practice, a situation that’s given the offense problems in recent weeks. He had a perfectly placed seam to Henry with Christian Elliss trailing and a safety closing from centerfield. The chunk play allowed Maye to dink and dunk on an out to Douglas and two throws to Henderson in the flat. Andy Borregales punctuated the drive by nailing a field goal attempt.

The Patriots’ pass protection, particularly against blitzes and stunts, remains an area of concern as the preseason draws to a close. And while Maye’s done a better job overall protecting the football this summer, the spray misses have been a glaring issue. All that said, the sophomore quarterback’s mental toughness to overcome bad starts has impressed, and coaches say he’s where they want him to be at this stage.

Given starters ran sprints while backups continued to rep situations, it’s fair to assume we won’t see Maye or the top unit on Thursday against the Giants. There’s still plenty for Josh McDaniels’ offense, but it was encouraging to see them end camp on a relative high note.

Notebook

• K’Lavon Chaisson started on the right edge opposite Harold Landry after an excellent summer. Outside linebackers coach Mike Smith spoke glowingly of usual starter Keion White while acknowledging White is still developing in his first year as a full-time edge defender.
• Both Jared Wilson and Ben Brown repped at left guard for the Patriots today, with Wilson being the primary starter. Brown also got snaps at center for Garrett Bradbury.
• Andy Borregales and Parker Romo each went 4-4 during a field goal period, and both nailed their attempts during end-of-half work. Julian Ashby’s snaps were a bit shaky at times.
• Both Stefon Diggs and DeMario Douglas repped with Joshua Dobbs, a potential indication of how shallow the position is without Kyle Williams, Efton Chism, and Javon Baker. Diggs (crosser) and Douglas (sail) both had downfield completions after getting wide open.