Giardi: Don't read too much into the QB reps at Patriots OTAs

FOXBOROUGH -"It's really not about how many reps here and there; it's about the quality of the reps that you get. That's what I preach."

That was Jerod Mayo about 15 minutes before Monday's OTA in Foxborough, answering a question about how he planned to divvy up the number of snaps each of the four quarterbacks would get in practice. It's important to note because the signal caller everyone has their eyes on - Drake Maye - was third in line, repping behind Jacoby Brissett and Bailey Zappe but ahead of fellow rookie Joe Milton. 

This order is not surprising. The other two have started games in this league, while Maye is a 21-year-old, fresh-faced college kid with a slight shoulder hitch and inconsistent footwork. Small steps, people. Small steps.

This day wasn't about evaluation, at least from my perspective. It was about fundamentals, play installation - focusing on early downs - and ensuring all 11 knew where to go and what to do. Competitive work? Not really. Some stretches where, yes, the intensity picked up some, but in shorts, t-shirts, and a helmet, you can only glean so much.

"Well, it depends what quarterback you're talking about," said Mayo on what he was looking for from the QBs. "I would say, from a holistic standpoint, it's just about progress. Today, it won't be perfect, and I don't expect them to be perfect, but you want to make sure you see these guys going in the right direction from an execution standpoint."

For Maye, that was one of the encouraging parts of his day. In this setting, he appeared in control with the reps he got. There was no re-huddling for him to make sure the play had been received and communicated correctly. I'm sure there will be at some point - this is a foreign language for him and the other rookies - but the more the former UNC star shows he can handle, the more he can push the players in front of him.

"I thought Drake did a great job not only progressing on the field but also off the field," said Mayo of the youngster's work in rookie mini-camp. "You can already tell he is going to put in that extra work. You know, I walked by the quarterback meeting room, he's just in there by himself, watching film. Those are the things that you want to see. I am excited to see his growth going forward."

The physical ability has opened eyes, especially when you see Maye and Milton throw alongside Zappe. Never mind the size difference - poor Bailey looks like the littlest little brother - but the way the ball jumps off the two kids' hands is...different.

"Oh yeah. Those guys, the arm talent is there," said cornerback Marcus Jones. "It's great to be able to see them out there and also being coachable and stuff."

Maye ripped a couple of short to intermediate balls toward the sideline — one to Javon Baker, another to T.J. Luther — that reinforce we're in a new era of Patriots football. This organization hasn't had someone who could drive the ball like this crew — Brissett very much included — since Tom Brady was plying his trade in town. That won't be an issue this year. Or shouldn't be, unless Zappe somehow ends up as the starter.

And for those that wanted a different veteran quarterback signed in free agency over Brissett, the way those two interacted Monday was proof positive that Brissett comes as advertised. Entering his 9th year, Brissett knows why he's here, and while he won't go easy on Maye, he was encouraging and spoke with the first-round pick often throughout the practice. Maye also spent considerable time behind the huddle when Brissett was working, standing alongside offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt but even more so with special assistant Ben McAdoo when Van Pelt was actively involved with the "first" group.

Once practice ended, three players — Ja'Lynn Polk, Baker, and Maye — kept working as the rest of their teammates trudged off to the locker room or for media responsibilities. They were working on routes, and Maye directed the entire operation. Just as he told us when we spoke with him at rookie mini-camp, Maye is letting them know if you want the ball and be in his trust tree, this is how it has to be. That's what you want as he moves forward this offseason and, big picture, in his career. 

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Other news and notes from the availability:

- Juju Smith-Schuster declared himself fully healthy. As we reported when the Pats signed him a year ago, the entire league knew his knee was not in good standing, but that didn't stop the Pats from signing him and, unsurprisingly, getting very little bang for their buck in 2023-24. 

"Last year, I was at 60%," said Smith-Schuster. "Right now, I'm like 100%, so it's a big difference. It's not easy coming off a knee injury and having a long season (with KC) and coming back really short, whereas this year, I had a long break and had more time to rest and recover."

Smith-Schuster could be in the fight of his life for the last spot in that receiver room (if they go with six). Pop Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, K.J. Osborn, Polk, and Baker seem to be locks or something close to it (assuming nothing disastrous on or off the field).

-Speaking of health, Marcus Jones also said he will be ready to go with no limitations. He remains fully committed to being a defensive back (he should be the team's nickel corner), but if the call to offense happens, he'll do whatever is asked. Jones did get amped up about the new rule changes with kickoffs. "it's crazy how the NFL, the next year, they change (snapping his finger) the next time and it's kind of cool to see...I'm happy about it, and hopefully, there will be more opportunities (to run back kicks)."

- Christian Barmore was all smiles about his new deal. When asked what he did with the extra cash, he smiled and said he bought some new fishing gear (that must be some kind of equipment). He called Mayo "his guy" and is thrilled to be playing for him.

- Kyle Dugger is another one basking in the glow of his new megabuck deal. The veteran safety admitted the lack of movement on a deal was hard to ignore last year.

"It's nothing you can completely ignore, as much as you're trying to, if I'm being honest," he said, adding that the contract now allows him to "get back and put all your focus on the field and the work and everything that's going to help you play better as the season goes on."