FoxBorough The Patriots’ offense was concentrating on making money on first down two days ago. Drake Maye completed 14 of 15 passes as a result. By purpose, all of those completions were shorter throws.
Maye and the offense went all out on Saturday. The offense was sending lengthier throws downfield on the fourth day of Patriots training camp. The quarterback’s completion percentage suffered as a result, but there were plenty of highlights throughout the day that got the local crowd cheering.
On Saturday, Maye made 8 of 17 passes during 11-on-11 drills. TreVeyon Henderson and Stefon Diggs contributed two drops to that.
Among Maye’s many standout throws was a multiple to DeMario Douglas. The Patriots’ offensive standout of the day was the slot receiver. Alex Austin and Jaylinn Hawkins were in covering as Douglas collected a deep pass from Maye during the second 11-on-11 period.
Then, on the day’s most important play, the receiver opened the next quarter with a 50-yard touchdown from Maye. This occurred when Maye slid to his right, evaded the pass rush, and fired a great deep ball to Douglas, who outran Kyle Dugger and Christian Gonzalez in coverage.
Kyle Williams, a rookie wide receiver, remarked, “We like to call that fast break football.” We should go at any moment because we felt like their plays. We can lengthen drives and the field during that period, so we sort of take advantage of it to go down the field and make some huge plays.
Marcus Jones was in close coverage, but Douglas made a terrific catch to end the session. This summer, the third-year receiver has already proven to be one of Maye’s most dependable targets.
On Saturday, Douglas had four receptions, more than any other Patriots receiver.
The following are the main lessons learned from Day 4 of Patriots camp:
Robert Spillane stands out among the Patriots’ numerous free-agent additions.
The Patriots defense was led by the seasoned linebacker on Saturday, who made Drake Maye’s job tough. Spillane defended tight end Hunter Henry and wide DeMario Douglas by intercepting the quarterback’s first two passes during the opening 11-on-11 period. He’s actually having an effect off the field as well.
Spillane, a former Las Vegas Raiders captain, has immediately assumed a leadership position both on the practice field and within Gillette Stadium. Christian Elliss, a fellow linebacker, dubbed Spillane odd this week and gave the greatest explanation of what he meant.
Each and every time we discuss pre-practice matters. He’s like a golden retriever out here. “He just has a lot of energy,” Elliss stated. He’s entertaining. He is simply someone you care about. You would give it your all for him. He is the one who will unite this defense.
Under Mike Vrabel, Spillane played his first NFL season in 2018 as an undrafted free agent. The next season, Spillane was cut by the Tennessee Titans and signed with Pittsburgh, where he established himself as a reliable backup linebacker. He made a name for himself as one of the NFL’s top middle linebackers in Las Vegas.
He concluded the previous season with a career-high 158 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions. Spillane agreed to a three-year, $33 million contract with the Patriots this summer. The veteran has quickly made a name for himself among his teammates.
“He’s very intelligent,” Elliss stated. People are aware of it, but I still want to highlight his skill at the game—he knows all the schematics and techniques. Spills is an amazing leader for this defense, and even when I’m out there covering someone one-on-one, he’s giving me a tip on something I can learn from.
After the first week of training camp, the Patriots rookie class is on the rise.
There were moments on Saturday when the Patriots starting offense included first-round pick Will Campbell, second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson, third-round pick Kyle Williams, and third-round pick Jared Wilson.
This season, all four players have distinguished themselves in different ways, and it is evident that the Patriots view them as important components of their future.
Henderson stated, “I think we have a great group of guys on this team, this rookie class that’s coming in.” The Patriots assembled a fantastic rookie class, in my opinion. I can’t wait to keep working with those guys.
Joshua Dobbs made a highlight-record deep catch to end practice for Henderson. On Saturday, he tied Demario Douglas for the team lead with four receptions. The Patriots attack should benefit from the rookie running back’s exceptional burst of speed.
Since the start of OTAs in May, Campbell has been the Patriots’ preferred starting left tackle on the offensive line. The No. 4 overall pick appears to be the Patriots’ long-term solution for guarding Maye’s blindside, even if the team hasn’t yet practiced in pads.
During training camp, Wilson has been one of the biggest surprises. The rookie, who was selected as a center out of Georgia, has alternated this week between center, left guard, and right guard. Wilson might challenge veteran left guard Cole Strange or veteran center Garrett Bradbury for a starting position with the Patriots.
Williams has been one of the best receivers to work with Maye’s team. On the first day of camp, the Washington State freshman made a big impression by beating Christian Gonzalez for a terrific catch.
According to Williams, it starts with the offseason, from OTAs to the present. Simply completing the ongoing work, getting to know one another, and having Maye trust me when those kinds of routes are called.
There were other defensive players that stood out besides Spillane.
Joshua Dobbs was intercepted by Jabrill Peppers during 11-on-11 play. Lan Larison was supposed to receive the pass, but Jack Gibbens deflected it during the play. Peppers finished the play with the turnover.
That marked Gibbens second pass breakup of Saturday s practice. Craig Woodson also had a breakup on Dobbs while covering Kyle Williams. Harold Landry broke up a Maye pass intended for Diggs.
Saturday also marked the first practice that the Patriots held a 7-on-7 session.
Maye went 4-of-7 in two periods. He started the drill off 1-of-4 as Gonzalez got the better of Diggs on two pass plays. The cornerback had one pass breakup on Maye.
Maye was better in the second 7-on-7 period, completing all three passes. This included a highlight reel 50-yard touchdown to Javon Baker. The second-year receiver split Woodson and Hawkins in coverage. That marked Baker s first reception from Maye in training camp
The Patriots offensive line continues to shuffle throughout camp.
The first 11-on-11 period saw rookie Jared Wilson start under center for Maye s unit. That marked the first time Wilson started a full-team period with the starting offense. The third-round pick continues to impress. On Saturday, he once again played right guard and left guard.
Saturday also marked the first time that Caedan Wallace played left guard with Maye s offense. Cole Strange started that drive, but was subbed out for Wallace midway through.
The 2024 third-round pick was drafted by the Patriots to play left tackle after playing right tackle at Penn State. This summer, however, Wallace has been almost exclusively at left guard.
The Patriots top backup has been Demontrey Jacobs. He s primarily rotated in at right tackle with Morgan Moses, but also played some left tackle. Seventh-round pick Marcus Bryant has been the top backup left tackle with the second unit.
For the most part, the Patriots continue to stick with the same top unit Will Campbell (left tackle), Strange (left guard), Garrett Bradbury (center), Michael Onwenu (right guard), and Moses (right tackle) but there seems to be a lot of competition at the left guard and center positions.
Terrell Williams rejoined the Patriots this week after being away due to a health scare this offseason.
The defensive coordinator, who met with the team remotely, wasn t allowed to travel under orders from his doctor. Since coming to New England, Williams has been a welcome sight for his players.
Multiple veterans have lauded Williams for his energy to start training camp.
It s tremendous. He was checking in with us via Zoom or FaceTime, Jabrill Peppers said. Glad to have his presence. His intensity cracking jokes, making the meeting room a little lively. You need that in camp.
T brings a competitiveness to the room. He always wants to dominate, Keion White added. He doesn t really care if you have the pads on or not; he doesn t want you to look like you re soft, and I respect that.
The defense s first true test comes on Monday when the Patriots will hold their first padded practice of the offseason.
The Patriots absent list grew, for a short period, on Saturday.
When practice started, the team was without Moses, Rhamondre Stevenson, Carlton Davis, and Ja Lynn Polk. Midway through practice, however, Moses and Stevenson came out to the practice field and participated in full-team drills.
Polk missed his fourth practice and hasn t appeared at training camp yet. Davis has now missed two of the last three practices after starting the week on the non-football injury list.
The Patriots are also still without several players on the PUP and NFI list Mack Hollins, Austin Hooper, Vederian Lowe, and Josh Minkins.
