No matter how much faith you have in the Patriots’ new “weaponized” offense, in their new draft picks, coordinator Alex Van Pelt, his scheme or the QBs executing it, growing pains are to be expected. In the offseason, in minicamp, training camp, the regular season and all throughout the 2024 campaign, there will be times when no matter who’s under center it’s going to be ugly. Such was the case at the latest Patriots OTA. Hey, best get it out of your system early, right? RIGHT?
With conditions that were so beautiful outside, it almost seemed like somebody ordered the weather, the mostly new New England Patriots offense experienced plenty of ups and downs in a series of simulations, reps and activities on the practice fields outside of Gillette Stadium. These again, it should be noted, are voluntary practices (organized team activities) with no pads or contact. The mandatory minicamp begins next week. Spirits were bright. Effort was high. Execution? Well, again, this is the time to be learning.
The person with the most eyeballs on him, rookie QB Drake Maye, was the clear No. 2 QB, taking reps behind starter Jacoby Brissett. Maye had a couple of picks on the day, one a possible miscommunication with running back Antonio Gibson. At one point the defense dominated the offense so heavily in red zone activities that the offense was seen doing pushups. Yup, back to basics for Van Pelt's squad.
Maye, whom new receiver K.J. Osborn said has a bunch of arm talent and is “very smart,” acknowledged that he’s in a battle with Brissett and third-year veteran Bailey Zappe, but that the room is very supportive of one another and he’s having fun. Receivers Tyquan Thornton and Javon Baker were absent Tuesday, though that’s not why the offense had some connectivity issues.
That could have been thanks to the return of newly paid defensive lineman Christian Barmore, who was a dominant presence on the field, at one point sacking Brissett on back-to-back plays. Big things are expected from Barmore this season, so as far as the defense goes, as new defensive lineman Armon Watts put it, “We have a high ceiling.”
Some other notes, soundbites and key takeaways…
**Maye did have some nice passes despite the inconsistent day, connecting on TDs with JuJu Smith-Schuster and Pop Douglas, who has impressed Maye so much he offered this praise: “Can’t guard him in a phone booth.”
**Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt spoke for the first time in forever, noting like both head coach Jerod Mayo and VP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf have previously, that Brissett is the starter as of now. Van Pelt likes that he’s seen Brissett and Maye working and studying together off the field, and that Maye has “been impressive,” lauding Maye for his progress learning how to QB under center as well as the much discussed footwork as well.
Van Pelt added that he sees Maye’s development and his ascending to QB1 “as a marathon not a sprint,” so fans best be prepared for the rookie from UNC to not just be gifted the starting role. He also added he likes to call plays from the sidelines, so he should be a very visual component of the Pats game day experience.
**Osborn, a free agent from the Minnesota Vikings, added that he played in an offense exactly like this in his first two pro seasons, which gives him added familiarity in his first season in New England.
**If healthy, Pop Douglas is going to do some things this year.
**Speaking of receiver, second-year WR Kayshon Boutte was spotted in action.
Boutte’s status for the upcoming season is unknown after it was discovered he was placing several wagers on college football from gambling apps on his phone prior to being drafted by the Patriots.
**With Maye taking the reps behind Brissett, who looked the best again at QB, that means Maye has taken the QB2 spot, where Bailey Zappe had been operating during earlier OTAs.
**Speaking of QBs, sixth-round rookie Joe Milton out of Tennessee spoke for the first time at OTAs, admitting for the Foxboro Faithful to appreciate, “I’ve been a Patriots fan my whole life.” Milton is a physical specimen with a cannon for an arm who will take some time to mold for the pro game. Though he did say he threw a ball “only 75 yards” when he was 16. Only 75.
**Notable absences Tuesday included Matthew Judon, Mike Onwenu, Josh Uche, Jonathan Jones, Chukwuma Okorafor, Davon Godchaux and Marcus Jones.
If everything was perfect at Pats practice from an offensive standpoint now it would almost be alarming considering the number of new QBs, new receivers, new coaches and new scheme. Nowhere to go but up in the division, on the field and all-around. Mayo asked for patience, so hopefully everyone on the sidelines and watching from home will strap in and be prepared.
For fresh reaction to OTAs and all Pats practices, make sure you check out the latest Six Rings & Football Things reaction pods (Andy is joined by New England Football Journal’s Kevin Stone for today’s edition) and keep your radio locked to 93.7 FM WEEI and WEEI.com.