FOXBOROUGH — Some general observations on the Patriots' first open team practice under Mike Vrabel on Tuesday:
• The headline will be that Drake Maye was intercepted four times in the span of seven throws in the first team period, and that wasn't great. I'm not alarmed, it's very early. On one, it appeared Hunter Henry was being held, he only had one hand free to tap the ball, and Craig Woodson made the diving pick. Another was in the left flat and not sure what happened, but Christian Gonzalez made a diving catch. Another was thrown right to Dell Pettus, with no offensive players in the vicinity. Obviously that's not supposed to happen. Another was going to Kyle Williams but Gonzalez made a good play.
• Probably my bigger issue with Maye was that his hitch was back and pronounced, and he was guiding the ball and not letting it rip. But he was sharper in the second and final competitive team period. And he's just starting to learn a new offense. He's not going to play faster for a while. Sort of looked like Maye early last training camp, and then we all know it clicked for him and he continued to climb.
• Watching, not taking part: Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, Rhamondre Stevenson, Sidy Sow, Joshua Farmer.
• Limited: Ja’Lynn Polk, Michael Onwenu, Morgan Moses, Jared Wilson, Vederian Lowe, Jahvaree Ritzie, Jabrill Peppers.
Saw Peppers in individual work, but didn't see him on the field.
• In group work, Cole Strange got some snaps at center, but that didn't happen in team periods.
• In warm-ups the line was Will Campbell, Wes Schweitzer/Cole Strange, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu, Morgan Moses.
During practice, it was Campbell, Schweitzer, Bradbury, Strange, Wallace.
Vederian Lowe was backup LT, Demontrey Jacobs was backup RT. With QB Ben Woolridge, Lowe and Jacobs flip-flopped.
Second team line was: Lowe/Marcus Bryant, Jack Conley, Ben Brown, Tyrese Robinson, Jacobs.
• Campbell gave up a couple of quick pressures to Keion White.
• Lots of variation in the defensive front but it was mostly RE Keion White, Milton Williams, Christian Barmore/Khyiris Tonga, Harold Landry. K'Lavon Chaisson mixed in, mostly for White.
• Starting linebackers were Robert Spillane and Christian Ellis. Jahlani Tavai worked exclusively off the ball and appears to have trimmed down. It looked like Marte Mapu is at linebacker and well down the depth chart. He did show well in coverage. Tavai and Gibbens worked together on the second group.
• It doesn't look like Mike Onwenu reported in the best shape of his life. Might be heavier than last year.
• TreVeyon Henderson looks like the real deal. Built like a brick house with quicks, moves and great balance. Showed some great moves on a screen, and later made a nice catch of a high flare pass in the left flat.
• Kyle Williams made a nice grab after a pump fake from Maye when he was more comfortable, as did Javon Baker (back shoulder).
• UDFA WR Efton Chism continued to stand out with a couple of catches and some nice jump cuts after the catch.
• Saw about what you'd expect from a Josh McDaniels offense in the early stages of install. Saw the whole gamut, from zone and power runs, to some quick games and screens, some deep shots. Nothing really different. It's like they wanted to hit all the major points in the playbook.
• Defense looked like it was a lot of man that could easily and often fliped into a different quarters-based coverage.
• There was a little kicker competition, with Andres Borregales going 4 for 4 (despite a really low opening kick). John Parker Romo was 2 of 4.
• Last two periods were jog-throughs.
• Saw Paul Pasqualoni and James Develin in attendance.
• Patriots will be hosting the Commanders for joint practices, in addition to the sessions in Minnesota.
