FOXBOROUGH - Under beautiful, bright blue skies and some heavy, humid air, the Patriots finished their media-access portion of the summer. No longer will we be able to see the entirety of practice, and even though we did today, team rules say no more reporting on what we saw, at least after the first 20 minutes.
Considering the team must get down to 53 by 4 p.m. tomorrow, it is worth noting the absences (even if there have been no confirmations on who's coming or going). So here you go: Efton Chism (injured), Kendrick Bourne (injured), Anfernee Jennings, Marcus Epps, Jahlani Tavai (injured), Jack Gibbens, Cole Strange, Terrell Jennings, Kobee Minor, Bradyn Swinson, and David Olajiga were not seen on Monday. The Pats had already reduced their roster to 76 after Sunday's release (injured) of Layden Robinson, last year's 4th round pick. So they have plenty of work to do to become roster compliant.
Mike Vrabel has been on the other side of this equation. He played 14 years in the league, but admitted during his first couple of seasons in Pittsburgh that he had some nerves this time of year.
"Yeah, I think probably early on in my career," Vrabel said when asked if he had to sweat out a spot. "I think that that was something that – you're just trying to earn a role and figure out what it is that you needed to do to make the roster for the first few years, I think, in Pittsburgh, until you become an established player, and then I think there's other conversations that kind of go on. So, I've been through a lot of these things. And like we said, we try to do them as respectfully and professionally as we possibly can."
There is more talent on this team than there was last year, but the bottom of the roster is going to turn over quite a bit, even after cut-down day. The Pats' lack of depth is glaring, especially at linebacker and offensive line. There have been reports about them "shopping" Vederian Lowe and Demontrey Jacobs, but they're not getting much, if anything, for either. That should tell you they're willing to go with rookie Marcus Bryant as the swing tackle, and have seemingly settled on Ben Brown as their first-off-the-bench interior player (Jared Wilson worked with the starters at left guard Monday). Expect the Pats to work the waiver wire - no great shakes, folks - and try to make a trade or two. Per league sources, neither Kyle Dugger nor Anfernee Jennings is attracting much interest in the trade market. That could always change post-cuts, but Dugger's money is a massive obstacle.
MAYE AT THE MIC
After a nearly two-hour practice, Drake Maye was running wind sprints while several teammates took their turn at the microphone (Garrett Bradbury on that scene, "He's gritty. Blue collar." Big smile). Maye also spent time throwing to a shirtless Mack Hollins (if I looked like that, I would never wear a shirt). When he finally stepped to the microphone, the quarterback did so with a smile.
The team has already started to put a game plan in place for the opener against Las Vegas. This will be the first time Maye goes through this process with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
"I think anytime you get a chance to go into a game, and see how the game plan works - and you see a little bit of preseason - but now it's full go, kind of game plan a team and watching tape with him in there, and just seeing what he's seeing, and try to be on the same page," said Maye of the experience. "That's the funnest part, I think, of playing the position - to see something in the film room on Monday or Tuesday, go out there and do it, practice and execute the game. Just kind of how the ritual goes. And it feels good when you see it on tape and accomplish something."
This offense, as you well know, having watched it in different incarnations for over two decades, can be very complex, and no detail - no matter how big or small - can be overlooked. That's part of what McDaniels is stressing to his second-year quarterback, and Maye feels as though he has a better handle on the scheme as the summer has worn on. It helps that since the final preseason game, the Pats have not continued to add to their volume on offense; rather, they are now going back over things they previously installed, trying to hone in on all those aforementioned details.
"I guess that's the goal of trying to get into it and feel like it comes second nature," Maye said. "And I think some of the protection stuff and some of the kind of day one, day two - even the stuff we're running mainly out here - I feel great, and I feel great about it.
"Those guys are starting to get a good chemistry going, and those guys up front are blocking hard and playing well. So I think it's just now going into the season is you're going to see a defense and study for it. There may be some unscouted looks, especially in week one. We got to not take a negative play and take care of the football, and from there, excited to get out there and be ready for week one."
Maye looked strong throwing the football on Monday.
MAYBE MAPU?
Is Marte Mapu going to be on this roster? Obviously, his availability - or lack thereof - has plagued him since he came into the league, and now he's trying to learn a new position, playing linebacker for the first time.
Mapu revealed to us that while he's trying to add "good weight," he's currently hovering around 215 pounds. Yes, this defensive scheme wants to embrace a more aggressive, attacking style of play, but 215-pounders taking on pulling guards or centers jumping to the second level doesn't seem like a long-term recipe for success. That said, Mapu has definitely shown some signs of improvement in the role, including his ability to get off blocks (albeit against 2nd and 3rd teamers).
"When I first was told I was gonna be moving into the linebacker room, that's something that I immediately just started trying to be intent about, ask questions about, and then just practice," he said. "It was mostly just trying to rep it."
Mapu added that Robert Spillane has been a great resource for him - "He's not afraid to share knowledge" - and he's enjoying this scheme because "I think it's just the simplicity of - you don't have to read stuff as much. Just get more downhill."