The Patriots Have Been Taking the Next Step Back Toward Greatness at OTAs
With the Patriots conducting OTA workouts this week, it's as good a time as any to offer the reminder that, contrary to common opinion, the "O" doesn't stand for "Optional," but for "Organized." Still, optional is what these practices are. And so any time a veteran would skip one, especially Tom Brady late in his Patriots career, asking Bill Belichick about it was to push the button on his Buzz Lightyear spacesuit that made him say, "I'm only going to talk about the players that are here." There was no other response. I bring this up because one person involved with the team who hasn't been there this week is me. But we're not going to talk about me and the things I'm too busy with to make it to Foxboro. Instead we're just going to focus on the players who are there, as told by the actual football journos who have been there.
And I'm happy to report (their reporting) that it sounds like everyone is buying into Mike Vrabel's program. That everything Taylor Lewan said about working for him back when he first got hired is happening as predicted:
Heads are on swivels. "Shit is about to get really hard for a little bit." Buttholes are being kept tight. And things, so far in this early going, are working out as Lewan says here.
For starters, the attendance has been close to 100% (present company excluded), with the notable exception of Rhamondre Stevenson who had the best excuse in the world to be with his family, and chose to show up today anyway:
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Plus Christian Barmore not only looks fully recovered from the blood clots that cost him most of last season, but better than he did before:
And as far as buying in, it's there's nothing like seeing the highest paid player in team history enjoying his first reps against the most important rookie. Because both are vitally necessary to this franchise's future:
And for his part, Will Campbell is staying late for extra coaching from his bookend lineman, RT Morgan Moses, who from the minute he signed in New England said this is the kind of leadership he planned on providing:
Next was the notable upgrade in speed. Not just in terms of the improved 40-times up and down the roster, but in how the practices were run:
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That improved foot speed - which is something that's been killing this team for years, has turned up already. From second round RB TreVeyon Henderson:
To third round wideout Kyle Williams:
Source - In the second full-team practice of his early NFL career, veterans are already taking notice of this rookie wide receiver.
“Oh yeah, everyone is competitive at this level,” Gonzalez said when asked about Williams. “Everyone is going to come in and especially receivers and (defensive backs), that’s one of the positions you have to be the most competitive at. (Williams is) one of them. He’s going to talk his talk just like every other receiver. He comes in, had his head down, gets to work, you know he’s hungry, ready to go. At this point, that’s all you can ask from him – come in, get to work, and ask questions when needed.” …
In the Patriots’ final 11-on-11 series, Williams was on the field with Maye, again. The young quarterback didn’t shy away from throwing to the rookie. This time, Maye took a deep shot down the left sideline. Williams blew by a Patriots cornerback and caught a tough, contested catch with rookie safety Craig Woodson in tight coverage.
Williams finished the play by getting both feet in bounds near the sideline. Players applauded the rookie – and it was a moment that’ll only build more confidence for Maye.
As well as UDFA receiver Efton Chism, who not only fits the pluperfect definition of a camp sleeper who could make an impact, but looks like the prototype of the quicker-than-fast slot guy with elite cutting ability that makes the engine of the Josh McDaniels offense accelerate like Spaceball One set to Ludicrous Speed:
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To a lesser degree, it's worth noting that Javon Baker made the catch of the week:
But even with Memorial Day Weekend upon us to kick off The Summer of Optimism, I'm not prepared to invest my emotions in a second year guy who had one reception as a rookie.
The second year guy I am prepared to invest in, who is in fact the vessel into which I'm willing to pour all my hope into, got off to a horrific start in OTAs:
Boston Herald - Drake Maye: 10-of-16, 4 INTs … Woof.
Maye connected on his first two passes of competitive 11-on-11s, layups to Douglas and Kendrick Bourne. Then the wheels fell off with a no-shot deep ball intended for Kayshon Boutte that got batted away and a six-snap stretch where he packed all four of his interceptions. Two stemmed from bad passes – an overthrow deep and underthrow underneath – the aforementioned miscommunication and a short rip over the middle that corner Alex Austin batted up to rookie safety Craig Woodson.
Maye also took two would-be sacks in this stretch, one courtesy of Marcus Jones on an unblocked slot blitz and Keion White flying off the left edge. Over the second half of practice, Maye settled in without the comfort of checkdowns (only three of his 11 completions were screens or checkdowns). He delivered his best passes in the final full-speed team period, finding rookie Kyle Williams on a deep out route and veteran tight end/security blanket Hunter Henry on a deep over.
Admittedly, Drake Maye fitting into McDaniels' scheme is a work in progress. To be fair, McDaniels is the fourth OC he's had in the last four seasons, going back to his sophomore year at UNC. And he struggled a bit in the spring under Alex Van Pelt as well. Obvious difference being that McDaniels is entering his 21st season of being a quarterback's coach, offensive coordinator or head coach. He might not look it, but he's been working with QBs since Maye's age was still being measured in months. He coached Mac Jones to a playoff berth and a Pro Bowl. And more impressively, once won a game with Tim Tebow starting as a rookie. So patience.
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If feels good to have practices again. Even if they're not in pads. Even if some writers can't be bothered to go. The next round of practices can't start soon enough. I might even show up.