Before I get to some lingering thoughts from Monday's mandatory mini-camp practice, I'd be remiss if I didn't share our conversation with Matthew Judon on WZLK's "The Rich Schertenlieb Show" (with Michael Hurley and yours truly) at around 7:20 a.m. today.
My first question to the Pats' edge rusher was about his contract. His cash due this year is $7.5 million, which is well below the going rate for a player of his caliber - think triple that number as the proper framework - even if he's coming off an injury that cost him 13 games this past season.
"Maybe they didn't know what I was gonna be in four years," said Judon of his current deal. "Maybe they knew exactly what I was gonna be, and it's at a discount. That's just how it happens."
That was pretty pragmatic of Judon, but he didn't take that same approach last summer, conducting what we described as a "hold-in." He was where he was supposed to be for mandatory mini-camp - just like this year - and for training camp. Still, during that stretch in July and into August, Judon wasn't a full participant until his 2023 salary had money added to it from the 2024 season. Then, like magic, the now 31-year-old was back at it, a full go. Will this summer see a repeat of that scenario if nothing changes?
"Uh, right now, I'm just gonna get ready to play," he said. "And you know, you kind of don't – you kind of keep throwing tantrums, tantrums, tantrums, and then you don't come out there and do what you're supposed to do? It kind of gets old real fast, you know. I ain't really trying to do that. I'm just trying to come out here and play football, get ready for this upcoming season, and put our defense and ourselves in a position where we can win the most games or be the most effective.
So that's what I'm really on right now. I ain't worried about holding out, sitting out … kind of protesting. … Because that, last year, that stuff was trash. I ain't really like that. Like I'm a football player, I don't want to get into the agency side. So I'm gonna come out here and play some football."
It's too early to say where this is headed. Camp isn't for another six weeks or so. There's time to bridge any gap between the two sides in the short or, should they desire, long term. But I can't imagine Judon going all out if at least another sweetener isn't added to the deal. And, to me, it makes smart business sense for a team with over $45 million in cap space to part with a few of those millions to ensure a top-10 defense stays there.
_____________________________
As for mini-camp leftovers from yesterday, here's what I got:
1. Drake Maye had three moments in particular that stood out. One was a perfectly layered throw to tight end La'Michael Pettway on a deep over route during 7-on-7. Pettway was tightly covered, but the rookie put the ball in the perfect spot. The only problem was Pettway couldn't reel it in. Pettway did that later during 11-on-11. It was a crossing route. That's not what made it noteworthy. What did was Maye's arm angle. He was facing some interior pressure, didn't have the cleanest passing lane but compensated by dropping down to a three-quarters angle and zipping a friggin' dart to Pettway, hitting him in the hands in stride. It was lovely. The last came when Maye read blitz, had an unencumbered rusher, but stood in and zipped a throw to JuJu Smith-Schuster in the seam. JuJu would have had to take a hit to complete the catch in a game situation - Maye, too, to make the throw - but that was well-diagnosed, and the ball was right where it needed to be.
"You're seeing his progression come alive," said Jacoby Brissett post-practice. Indeed.
2. Ja'Lynn Polk showed up with all three quarterbacks, playing both inside and out. He's not real wiggly, but he makes sharp cuts, winning with physicality at the top of the route by fighting off contact. Polk also won with speed, beating Christian Gonzalez on an out-cut in the red zone. I'm telling you again; he plays faster than his 40 time.
3. Davon Godchaux did nothing on Monday. He didn't stretch. He didn't run. He didn't participate. Is he recovering from something? Or is he looking for a new deal (he's in the last year of his contract)? I believe it is the latter, and the sense I'm getting is that the two sides are far apart. I didn't like how Godchaux carried himself last year or, most importantly, how he played. If I'm GM Eliot Wolf, I'm not extending the 29-year-old (he turns 30 in November).
4. Bailey Zappe didn't get many opportunities - he was third in the rotation - and when he did get chances, it went poorly. He threw a pick-6 to Kyle Dugger in his first rep during one 11-on-11 session, then was immediately removed for Joe Milton. Later, he made a dreadful decision and poor throw on a deep ball that Brenden Schooler should have intercepted. Say what you will about Zappe, but confidence has never been an issue for him...until Monday. It would only be human nature for him to look around and wonder, "Why am I still here?" I'd be asking myself that, for sure.