FOXBOROUGH - Practice No. 16 of 2024 is in the books; let's run down all you need to know: all the stats, 3 up/down, 1-on-1 pass rushes, and odds and ends:
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Drake Maye's role hasn't changed, but his play has: The Patriots were back in full pads today with a regular practice and Drake Maye was back with the second string exclusively and working with center Liam Fornadel instead of David Andrews. Maye also didn't get his own game-situation series (2:38 left needing a field goal), which limited his team reps.
However, for the first time in camp, Maye is entering the conversation to make this an actual quarterback competition.
I can't overstate how much different Maye looks since his successful stint against the Eagles' backups. He looks like a different player mentally and as far as his confidence. The tentative, slow-processing rookie is gone. He's playing with real confidence and it's showing up on the field. Between team periods and 7 on 7 Maye was 10 of 16 with 5 TDs, one drop and zero sacks.
Even Eliot Wolf admitted to the difference.
"Drake’s very conscientious. He takes all the coaching points. He’s trying to do everything perfect," Wolf said. "It was really nice to see him the other night go out there and just play ball rather than think about those things.”
This is why the Patriots should have played Maye more in the first preseason game. The more he plays, the more he just plays. He was probably questioning himself a bit but the game showed him, "Hey, I can play and make plays at this level." That confidence has carried into practices.
Conversely, Brissett has continued to struggle, going 10 of 18, 2 TDs and 2 sacks. He's now the one being indecisive and late with his throws. At one point in the red zone team period, a coach yelled for Brissett to be "faster."
After reviewing the film from this practice, it will be interesting to see if the coaches make this a real competition. Patriots have four practices remaining.
Patriots lose another tight end to injury: Hunter Henry has been out a while, Austin Hooper went down with a foot/ankle injury on Saturday and now third-stringer Mitchell Wilcox left practice with a right hamstring injury. That leaves rookie Jaheim Bell, La'Michael Pettway and Jacob Warren as the only healthy tight ends. Bell impressed today with more time and has shown great athleticism to this point.
Offensive lines go into a blender again: The starting offensive line was once again intact, but the Patriots rotated a lot until the final game situation period with Jacoby Brissett. The subs were fast and furious, but I think this is fairly accurate:
TAKING ATTENDANCE
Physically unable to perform list: WR Kendrick Bourne, LG Cole Strange, LB Sione Takitaki
Non-football injury list: None.
Red non-contact jerseys: None.
Returned to practice: None.
Out: DT Christian Barmore, S Marte Mapu, TE Hunter Henry, OT Calvin Anderson (left wrist), C Nick Leverett, TE Austin Hooper (left foot), DE Joshua Uche, DE Oshane Ximines, DT Armon Watts, WR JaQuae Jackson.
Limited: DE Keion White.
New injuries: TE Mitchell Wilcox (right hamstring) left practice and did not return. C Liam Fornadel (right elbow) returned.
DRESS CODE
Full pads (9th day).
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
2:15 under clouds and some rain.
QB STATS
Team periods
Jacoby Brissett: 6 for 11, TD, 2 sacks — (RZ: 1 for 2, TD, sack; 1 for 1; 1 for 1, sack; 3 for 7)
Drake Maye: 5 for 7, 2 TDs — (RZ: 2 for 3, 2 TDs; 0 for 1; 3 for 3)
Bailey Zappe: 2 for 3, TD — RZ
Joe Milton: 1 for 1
7 on 7
Brissett: 4 for 7, TD — (Red zone - 1 for 4, TD; 3 for 3)
Maye: 5 for 9, 3 TDs, drop (Red zone - 3 for 5, 3 TDs; 2 for 4, drop)
MAYE REPORT
Another promising practice for Maye.
Team red zone
Harris left end
Harris middle - plus run
Incomplete to Baker
Complete - Nice TD to Polk back of end zone
Complete - Flips FPO TD to Bell near front right pylon
Team
Complete - Throws deep right along sideline to Osborn who makes a great catch over Marcus Jones, who mistimed his jump
Complete - Boutte slant
Complete - Douglas
ONE-ON-ONE REPORT
No split reps! But limited.
TOP PLAYS
Kawaan Baker made a ridiculous catch of a Joe Milton deep ball down the left sideline. The pass was a little short, landed on the back of CB Marcellas Dial as he faced guarded Baker, who fought back hard for the ball, pinned it on Dial's back and then held on to the ball as they tumbled to the turf.
THREE UP
QB Drake Maye: Looks like a different player since the Eagles game gave him a needed boost of confidence.
DT Daniel Ekuale: Beat Mike Onwenu twice in 1-on-1s.
TE Jaheim Bell: With the top three TEs out, the rookie made the most of his opportunity with 3 TDs.
FOUR DOWN
K Chad Ryland: Was just 3 for 5 today as Joey Slye was 4 for 4. This is getting close to over.
WR Javon Baker: Had a drop today to cap a poor stretch for the rookie that has seen him drop down the depth chart after a rough preseason game, especially his route running.
HC Jerod Mayo: I've actually been mostly impressed with Mayo this camp, but his decision to have the rookie car wash (the soak the turf and have hoses going while they corral a loose ball) before practice instead of after seemed to be a mistake. Several rookies, including Ja'Lynn Polk, Javon Baker and Jaheim Bell, had to miss a few individual periods as they tried to find new equipment and shoes. At least Mayo included the new coaches and staffers. That was fun. Next time, though, AFTER practice.
OG Mike Ownenu: Two losses to Daniel Ekuale in 1-on-1s ... unheard of. Bad day at the office.