Following their first padded practice of training camp, the New England Patriots were back to work on Friday and once again donned full pads as the focus was mainly in the red zone again.
Here’s what went down on the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium.
Absent: CB Carlton Davis III, DT Christian Barmore (new)
Returnee: CB Brandon Crossley
Limited: OT Morgan Moses, OG Alijah Vera-Tucker
PUP/NFI: ED Gabe Jacas, RB Terrell Jennings, TE C.J. Dippre, ED Harold Landry III, S Brenden Schooler
In the secondary, the Patriots saw Brandon Crossley return after missing yesterday’s practice while Carlton Davis remained sidelined. Christian Barmore was then a new absence, while veteran offensive lineman Morgan Moses and Alijah Vera-Tucker were limited for likely veteran rest.
Maye’s day: It was another strong showing for Drake Maye as the quarterback continues to stack positive days together. After throwing touchdowns to Eli Raridon and Romeo Doubs to open practice in 7-on-7, Maye was efficient and decisive as work remained in the low red zone as he tossed just one incompletion.
In addition to a pair of short completions to A.J. Brown, Maye threw touchdowns to Hunter Henry, Mack Hollins, and DeMario Douglas — the last coming with the QB dropping a ball in the bucket in the back left corner of the end zone.
In total, he completed 19 of 21 combined passes in 7-on-7s and 11-on-11s. His only two incompletions were throwaways, with one of them seemingly ending up a Christian Gonzalez interception.
Dialing up the pressure: While Maye was sharp throughout the day, it came with some pressure around him. After New England’s front held up in pass protection on Day 1 in pads, the defensive got home on Friday. That came from several blitzes to produce free rushers, with Craig Woodson and Kevin Byard in the backfield at times.
New England’s offensive line, which was without Morgan Moses and Alijah Vera-Tucker at times, also struggled to find much room in the ground game for the second straight padded practice.
Big play A.J.: The Drake Maye-A.J. Brown connection came to life in the red zone on Thursday, but the duo was still in search of a big play in full-field work. It didn’t take long on Friday as Maye’s first pass of the day in 11-on-11 was a 40-plus yard completion down the left sideline to Brown, who got open on a double move against Christian Gonzalez as the corner guarded the sticks with New England blitzing.
Brown then hauled in two short touchdown completions in low red zone work from Maye as the chemistry and physicality continue to show in that area of the field.
As for the rest of New England’s wideouts, Romeo Doubs went up-and-over Gonzalez for a strong touchdown catch in 7s, but did not see a target in full team work. DeMario Douglas was more active today, while Kyle Williams ended the day hauling in a goal line fade from Behren Morton and also made a strong contested sideline catch from Tommy DeVito.
Efton Chism III shined in an early 2-on-2 goal line period, where was a tough cover for any New England defensive back and continues to be sprinkled in with the top offense in run looks. UDFA Cameron Dorner also stacked a second straight strong day together with three catches from Morton.
Kick returners: The Patriots repped more of a live kick return drill for the first time this offseason in front of reporters, which gave a look at the kick returner depth chart. That was led off by Kyle Williams and Lan Larison, while Efton Chism, Kobe Prentice, Jam Miller, Myles Montgomery and Cameron Dorner also saw reps.
Williams had a strong return to open the period with Larison as the up blocker, while Chism appeared to break the longest as the unit in front of him opened a wide cutback lane.
- Another strong day from rookie tight end Eli Raridon, who caught three passes (one from Maye) in 7s and a sail route in full team work on an impressive throw from Tommy DeVito.
- Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson continued to make plays in the passing game against New England’s linebacker. Rookie running back Jam Miller also caught the eye again finding running lanes.
- Caleb Lomu settled in at right tackle in full team work, but the rookie had a rough start in 1-on-1s — including losses to Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson, who won with a strong swim move.
- Will Campbell held up well again in 1-on-1s including a win over Dre’Mont Jones.
- Some movement on the backup offensive line with Mehki Butler replacing Caedan Wallace at guard. Ben Brown and Andrew Rupcich continue to serve as the top two depth options along the interior.
- Andy Borregales appeared to connect on five of his six field goal attempts continuing to work between roughly 30 and 50 yards.
- The Patriots will be back to work on Saturday where the current expectation is they will be back in full pads. Practice is set to begin at 10:15 a.m. ET and Mike Vrabel will speak beforehand.
