FOXBOROUGH - On a night that began with the Patriots honoring their past, namely, Tom Brady, a newer, younger generation sent a jolt of electricity that Gillette Stadium hasn’t felt too often in recent years. Yes, I know it was in a preseason game. Yes, I know the Commanders didn’t play anyone of importance. But for early August, it felt like another step in the right direction for a franchise that has been limping along for a half-decade or so.
TreVeyon Henderson, arguably the Pats' most dynamic player this summer, introduced himself to the Gillette Stadium faithful with a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown. That happened on the very first play of the game. He was sprung, in part, by a block from UDFA Elijah Ponder. Henderson’s speed did the rest.
"It was like a lightning bolt," said Drake Maye. "He saw the crease and knew he was gone."
"Man, I just thank God," said Henderson. "Since I was a little kid, something I was dreaming about was to be in this position, to be given this opportunity. And so one thing is to try my best to take advantage of every opportunity I get. It's amazing to be here, to be in an organization like this. I'm excited."
Later in the quarter, the second-round playmaker delivered a hit instead of taking one after a short pass, in the process sending that poor defender into the blue medical tent. I can’t promise Henderson’s going to get 20 touches a game, but he continues to make a case to lead this backfield and give it an element it hasn’t had since I don’t even know when.
But before you go booking a trip to the Levi Stadium (site of this season’s Super Bowl), know that the kids were far from perfect. The left side of the Pats' offensive line, rookies Will Campbell and Jared Wilson, struggled to handle a twist on the game’s opening series, putting Maye in harm’s way.
"I think that there was a game, maybe - a pass rush game - it looked like to me, and those are something that will continue to work hard on," said Mike Vrabel. "We were able to pick them up into practice. They ran a few of them over there against us in practice. We just have to be able to carry that execution into the game.
"But I certainly did see their play demeanor kind of stand out, and that's a good place to start, with that, and being downfield and finishing through the whistle and everything that we embrace here."
As was the case too often last year, Maye not only failed to protect himself on that play, but the football as well, losing a fumble. He coughed the ball up 9 times in 12 starts a season ago, and also got knocked out of a pair of games with concussions.
"That's a bad decision," said Vrabel. "I think we're going to need better from him, and I think he knows that. That's obvious. It wasn't there. Just have to find a way to get rid of the football, or take a sack and punt and play defense."
"Yeah, it's disappointing. I was excited to get out there," said Maye, adding. "Can't do that my first time out. Just put a damper (on the start). I'm glad we responded well that next drive, but, yeah, same time I'm glad it's something I can control, but at the end of the day, just can't put a defense in that position."
But Maye responded on the ensuing drive. Campbell, even more so, as he has for the majority of the summer. The rookie left tackle showed his quick feet and athleticism on a toss play to his side, getting out in front of the play and engulfing the cornerback. Henderson followed for an 18-yard gain (and an additional 15 following a penalty).
A few plays later, Campbell once again shone in space, attacking the linebacker at the second level and planting him on his seat cushion 12 yards down the field. Finally, on 3rd-and-goal from the 5-yard line, Campbell rode the edge rusher past Maye. The QB stepped into the void, then shuffled off toward the end zone, scoring easily. That capped an 8-play, 61-yard drive and ended the night for Maye, Campbell, Wilson, and, if my eyes didn’t deceive me, Henderson as well.
"Yeah, (we) continue to work at it every day of the week," said Maye of the vibe he's getting from this team. "You'll learn from it, learn from the tape. That's the biggest thing I've seen these guys. They want to get better. They're asking questions. A lot of football talk around in the locker room. I think that's something you like seeing.
"We want to win."
Again, they won’t be holding any parades in downtown Boston after tonight, and there’s plenty of bad tape for Vrabel and the coaching staff to show this group. But this was another positive step in a spring and summer full of them, and at this point, that’s all you can ask for.
