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Mike Reiss
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Fast-hit ideas and notes across the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Maye as chief: The Patriots are hoping that quarterback Drake Maye evolves into extra of a pacesetter in his second NFL season. A drill applied by first-year coach Mike Vrabel at voluntary organized workforce actions — which has seldom, if ever, been seen earlier than on the Patriots’ apply area — was one solution to probably speed up that course of.
It thrust Maye into the highlight in an hostile state of affairs that examined all gamers’ bodily and psychological toughness.
Here is the way it unfolded: On the finish of the latest apply open to reporters, Vrabel lined up the complete offense alongside the aim line, with Maye within the center, and implored Maye to decisively name out the cadence earlier than everybody ran a dash on the right snap rely.
As soon as … twice … 3 times … they usually stored sprinting after that.
Many gamers had been gassed by the top, which is as near the utmost bodily exertion that may occur in a voluntary spring apply. Offensive lineman Cole Unusual, for instance, got here to the interview space after apply nonetheless respiration closely primarily based on the high-intensity sprints.
Because the drill progressed, which included changeups of Vrabel telling Maye to name out of a “dummy” snap rely to see if any gamers would possibly bounce early, Maye had to ensure his voice was heard from sideline to sideline.
The Patriots tweeted an image of the drill, with Maye main the pack and Vrabel watching intently to see if anybody left early — a whistle round his neck as he enthusiastically-but-demandingly prodded gamers to dig deeper.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) June 3, 2025
Maybe that explains additional what veteran operating again Rhamondre Stevenson stated when requested what he is noticed from Maye in latest weeks.
“He is a pacesetter. He has that form of ‘oomph’ to him,” Stevenson stated.
The drill has myriad potential advantages for the Patriots — from bodily conditioning, to sharpening psychological focus with a aim of avoiding false begins when fatigued, to placing Maye able the place he is in cost among the many total offensive unit.
The final half is an evolving course of for the 22-year-old, who at this level final 12 months was displaying deference to veteran Jacoby Brissett as he tried to mix into the combo. The work comes as Maye, who now has veteran Joshua Dobbs and undrafted free agent Ben Woodbridge behind him on the depth chart, can be studying a brand new offense beneath coordinator Josh McDaniels.
“He is doing rather well. He is very sensible. Works actually arduous,” McDaniels stated. “He is doing a extremely good job of digesting the data, processing the corrections when there’s a correction to be made, and going on the market with a terrific perspective and mindset the subsequent day.”
Maye will look to complete the spring on a excessive observe this week when the Patriots maintain their obligatory minicamp Monday by Wednesday.
“I believe Drake is doing a helluva job with a change from one offense to a brand new offense,” quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant stated. “He is been a professional’s professional. He is been tremendous intentional with every thing we have requested him to do, so I could not be happier with the place he’s proper now.”
2. Warmth examine: With Vrabel holding spring practices at midday ET, it had the Patriots on the sector on the peak of Thursday’s scorching 90-degree humid day. Some early prep for a Week 2 highway sport towards the Dolphins, with security Jabrill Peppers noting the circumstances on X: “Felt like we had apply in a Sauna as we speak.”
There’s a a lot cooler, probably moist, forecast anticipated for this week’s obligatory minicamp.
3. Davis’ absence: Receiver Stefon Diggs‘ in-and-out attendance at voluntary spring practices sparked headlines, whereas cornerback Carlton Davis III‘s comparable state of affairs flew a bit extra beneath the radar. Davis was again on the sector Thursday after not being current throughout practices open to reporters the final two weeks.
The Patriots signed Davis to a three-year, $56 million contract in free company that included $34.5 million in ensures with the thought of pairing him with second-team All-Professional Christian Gonzalez.
The Davis-Gonzalez combo — not seen a lot this spring — can be among the many notable storylines at obligatory camp.
4. Campbell’s impression: There may be solely a lot an offensive lineman can present in non-padded spring practices, however for what it is value, first-round choose Will Campbell went wire to wire at left sort out the final three weeks. He caught the attention of 1 teammate.
“My first impression is once I noticed him set, he has actually easy toes, strikes effectively by air, and is fairly accountable for his physique and his actions,” veteran proper sort out Mike Onwenu stated.
5. McDaniels’ integration: Given the expertise on the offensive teaching workers beneath McDaniels — with tight ends/passing sport coordinator Thomas Brown, receivers coach Todd Downing and offensive line coach Doug Marrone all having served as coordinators prior to now — the melding of concepts has been a prevalent theme this spring.
That confirmed up final week when McDaniels stated the unit was operating some performs he wasn’t as aware of, however got here from others on workers.
Stated Downing: “Fairly humbling and superior that Josh can be concerned about what ideas [assistants] would wish to convey to the desk. He is had a profitable system and he has no purpose, apart from trusting us and believing in us, to wish to hear what we’ve to say. In order that’s been fairly an honor to do this collectively.”
6. Rhamondre remembers: Stevenson did not have a lot of a reference to first-year operating backs coach Tony Dews getting into this 12 months, so when Dews traveled to Las Vegas this spring to examine on Stevenson and pay respects to his late father, it resonated with him.
“All which means quite a bit to me and it meant quite a bit to my household,” stated Stevenson, who remained in Vegas till becoming a member of the workforce a pair weeks in the past.
7. Dews’ recruit: When Dews was teaching operating backs at West Virginia in 2017, he acquired an early begin on recruiting by reaching out to TreVeyon Henderson at Hopewell Excessive College in Virginia. It did not go effectively.
“He snubbed me!” Dews joked.
Henderson landed at Ohio State, Dews moved on to the NFL with the Tennessee Titans, and now the 2 have linked once more in New England after the Patriots chosen Henderson within the second spherical (No. 38).
8. Key dates TBD: With the top of spring practices this week ought to come readability on just a few upcoming key dates for the Patriots. Issues to anticipate embrace: the primary official apply of coaching camp (projected within the July 24-25 vary), the long-anticipated Tom Brady statue unveiling outdoors Gillette Stadium, the Patriots Corridor of Fame induction ceremony for Julian Edelman and Invoice Parcells, and a potential in-stadium apply for season-ticket holders and Foxborough residents.
9. They stated it: “This time final 12 months, I used to be simply studying the best way to stroll.” — 2022 first-round choose Cole Unusual on how uplifting it has been for him to take part in spring practices after lacking them in 2024 whereas recovering from a critical left knee harm that included a torn patellar tendon.
10. Do you know? Diggs has totaled 5 seasons with 100-plus receptions, and if he hits that mark in his first season with the Patriots, he’ll be a part of Antonio Brown and Brandon Marshall as the one NFL gamers to ever report six seasons with 100-plus receptions.
