Patriots training camp notebook: A notable step for Drake Maye on Day 18
Drake Maye took a notable step at Patriots training camp on Wednesday.
The final block of Patriots training camp practices for 2024 began on Wednesday, with the 18th of the team’s 20 practices this summer. However, the practice looked more like a typical regular season Wednesday than any summer session.
That didn’t come as much of a surprise, given head coach Jerod Mayo explained the plan for the practice beforehand on Wednesday. “I would say this week is a little hybrid-type of week for us as far as preparation,” Mayo said in his pre-practice press conference. “We’re still focusing on NEP [the New England Patriots], but at the same time trying to make sure our game planning and all that process – the scouting report process – goes smoothly. So, out here today, you’ll see some O vs. D. Some of that stuff is carded [meaning scout team reps].”
Of course there’s still a chance to evaluate players within scout team reps. And as always, player usage can be just as notable this year as player performance. We’ll start there as we get going with today’s Patriots training camp notebook…
Drake Maye gets first ‘starter’ reps
Earlier this week, Jerod Mayo talked about the importance of Drake Maye building chemistry with the top offense on his way to becoming a starter. There’s just one thing – through the first 17 practices Maye didn’t take any reps with the projected starting offense in padded practices/competitive drills, and only had a few reps with the group in other settings.
That changed officially on Wednesday – but not by much. During two team 11-on-11 periods, one at the start of practice and one late, Brissett stepped in with the starters after Jacoby Brissett and took a few snaps before the rest of the backups joined him on the field. In total it was four snaps, and all four plays were handoffs.
Overall, it’s simply not enough snaps for Maye to suddenly be in the conversation to be the Week 1 starter. It’s a baby step, but one that had to happen eventually.
Quarterback performance
While Drake Maye didn’t throw the ball with the top unit, he had a very good day throwing with the backups. Maye completed six of his nine pass attempts in 11-on-11 drills, with multiple downfield connections.
At the same time, his best throw of the day went in the books as an incompletion. He handled a low snap from backup center Nick Leverett and recovered to launch a ball about 45 yards in the air to Pop Douglas, who got behind the defense running up the middle of the field. However, Douglas tried to catch the pass – which was slightly ahead of him but still very catchable – with one hand. It resulted in a drop.
Meanwhile, Jacoby Brissett’s accuracy continues to be a question. He finished 4-of-7 and was intercepted by Marcellas Dial during a scout team period. Brissett was trying to hit Tyquan Thornton on a corner route but didn’t lead him enough, allowing Dial to undercut the throw (Brissett and Thornton did have a deep connection later in practice).
Javon Baker continues to struggle
In addition to his interception, Jacoby Brissett had another near-pick late in practice. He tried hitting Javon Baker on a curl in the middle of the field, but the route was jumped by safety A.J. Thomas. Some of that is on Brissett, but Baker didn’t come back as aggressively to the ball as he probably could have. It’s a play that may not stand out on its own in general, but given Baker’s overall struggles in practice felt notable.
Baker still isn’t making plays as regularly as he was at the start of camp, and seems to have fallen out of the top wide receiver rotation. Based on his practice reps it doesn’t look like he’ll have a big role in the offense once the season starts.
Key injury on the offensive line
Vederian Lowe has been the Patriots’ starting left tackle for the vast majority of the summer. However the team had to adjust on Wednesday, when he left practice early.
Nothing stood out on Lowe’s final play of practice, and he jogged off to the sideline after the rep seemingly without issue. However, after a minute or two he walked to the athletic training area with a member of the Patriots’ medical staff. They briefly checked him out there looking at the left side of his torso, before he left the practice field all together. Of course, Lowe’s status as the team’s projected starting left tackle makes the situation worth monitoring, and we’ll see if he’s back out there tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Lowe’s absence opened up first team snaps for rookie Caedan Wallace, who has mostly worked at right tackle this camp. Wallace held his own through Wednesday’s practice in that spot. That’s a long way from saying he’s in position to push low, but also an encouraging sign. If he builds on that, he could establish himself as the next man up if Lowe struggles early in the season after returning, or as the outright starter if Lowe is going to miss time.
Definitive day in the kicker battle
If the kicker battle wasn’t over before Wednesday, Joey Slye got a very definitive win in this practice. He hit all four of his kicks, from 33, 41, 47, and 50 yards. Meanwhile Chad Ryland – who was the first kicker up after Slye went first for most of the past few weeks – hit his 33-yarder then missed the next three kicks.
For most of camp Slye was clearly the better kicker from distance, but is now showing to be better from the intermediate range too. Plus two of Ryland’s misses were not close, with one fading well right while not reaching the goalpost. His third miss was a doink off the right upright.
Right now, it seems like Slye should clearly be the kicker to start the season. The only question is do the Patriots keep Ryland (or another kicker) on the practice squad as a second option if Slye starts to struggle once the season begins?
Attendance
The only new absence at Patriots training on Wednesday was defensive tackle Mike Purcell, whose release was announced after practice. Tight ends Hunter Henry and Mitchell Wilcox, tackle Calvin Anderson, defensive lineman Christian Barmore, and safety Marte Mapu remain out. Linebackers Joshua Uche and Oshane Ximines both returned, but were limited.
Injury-wise, Vederian Lowe left early as mentioned above. Cornerback Shaun Wade also walked off the field late in practice and didn’t return. Linebacker Anfernee Jennings seemed to tweak something midway through practice and took a few plays off, but returned during the next period and practiced fully from then on out.
What’s next?
The penultimate practice of Patriots training camp takes place Thursday afternoon. Friday will be the final open practice of the summer.
