Patriots
Quarterback cadences, a flashy catch, and a defensive lineman hungry for more.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye said Monday that he feels like he is hitting his stride as he continues to adjust to Josh McDaniels’s offense.
The Patriots quarterback completed 14 of his 18 passing attempts and ended practice with a flourish, finding DeMario Douglas for a touchdown in the end zone. It was a solid showing with no interceptions.
“Trying to get as many reps out there as possible,” Maye said. “I think you got to take the meetings and what you learn from when you do get a chance to run the plays, just take it and take it in the next time you run it. It’s all the same concepts in the league, but it’s different verbiage.”
“Mostly same guys running them, but just feeling out how they run it, timing and just getting different concepts. I think it’s been good. I think I’m starting to find a stride. I’m bummed out we’re about to leave, but it’s been fun.”
Monday’s practice was the first of two mandatory minicamp practices open to the media this week. There will be a closed workout on Wednesday, coach Mike Vrabel said.
There was an upbeat mood during the padless practice as the team worked on skill drills, position drills, and some light scrimmaging.
Here are four takeaways from the action.
Maye is finding his voice
Maye’s comfort level is “world’s different” compared to this time last year when he was a rookie, he said.
He mentioned his confidence and the way he is seeing the game as areas where he has improved.
There is still plenty of work left to do, Vrabel said.
“I think that there is a lot of room to grow,” the coach said. “I think there’s a lot of natural leadership qualities. I think I have to encourage him, continue to encourage him and to put him in those positions to do that.”
The Patriots ended practice by running sprints. Instead of a typical ready-set-go call, Maye called out snap counts and the team ran after finding the correct cadence.
“I’m just trying not to screw the guys over with the cadence and have them jump offsides,” Maye said. “I’m just trying to help the guys out, give them a little heads up in the front, but it’s good for us to hear cadence. “
“Cadence is a big thing in this league to see what defense is doing, help the guys up front blocking. Every D-line in this league is good. It’s a great way for those guys to listen in on cadence and also conditioning, when they’re tired, listening to the cadence.”
Play of the day: Kyle Williams’ catch
Rookie receiver Kyle Williams made a spashy play, hauling in a deep ball from Josh Dobbs during the 11-on-11 portion of practice.
The speedy rookie got behind the safeties in the back of the zone defense and snagged himself a slice of attention.
Maye said he’s looking forward to seeing how Williams and the other rookies look with pads on next month.
“I think you just saw it. I mean, they’re making plays all day,” Maye said. “So, we’ve got to find a way to get them involved. I’m looking forward to seeing kind of how they kind of shape their role in training camp, and I think they’re shaping it out here.
“I think you saw plays from everybody. TreVeyon caught a touchdown, Kyle caught a deep ball, Chis [Efton Chism III] had about 50 catches, I feel like, in OTAs. So, these guys are just showing the work and showing up.”
Vrabel says there are no holdouts
Last season, the Patriots had a pair of contact disputes heading into training camp. One dispute involving Matthew Judon ended with the multi-time Pro Bowler being traded to the Atlanta Falcons.
But, so far, attendance at minicamp has been strong. Wide receiver Mack Hollins headlined the list of absent players.
“There’ll be a couple players for personal reasons, but other than that, we don’t have any holdouts, if that’s what you mean,” Vrabel said. “There’s a couple personal situations that are going to keep a couple guys from being out here.”
Milton Williams ready for more work
Defensive lineman Milton Williams, who played around 48 percent of the Eagles’ defensive snaps last season, said he is hoping for more opportunities with the Patriots.
“It wasn’t by choice. I didn’t chose to play under 50 percent of the snaps,” Williams said of his time with the Eagles. “I’m training to play as much as I can. I’m just going out there when they call my number.
“I could have played more if they wanted me to play more. My training is going to be the same. I’m going to be in shape and ready for whatever.”
Tavai attends practice, but does not participate
Linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who is sidelined with a calf injury, attended Monday’s practice but did not participate.
He was on the field with his teammates during the early portion of practice watching drills. He did not have a practice jersey or cleats on.
Tavai, who led the Patriots in tackles last season with 115, is expected to be out until training camp.
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