Pats Pulpit
Drake Maye organized throwing sessions in his hometown with several Patriots pass catchers.
As the New England Patriots concluded mandatory minicamp and headed toward a five-week break before the start of training camp, quarterback Drake Maye and his teammates wanted to take advantage of the time off.
So, following his return from his honeymoon, Maye extended the invite to several teammates to his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.
“Drake hit the guys up after minicamp and we talked about trying to get guys together,” Hunter Henry said on Tuesday. “Obviously, it was a good couple of days of working. We need as many reps as we can, steal as many reps as we can to just get timing [down], get a feel for each other more and more.
“But also, it’s good to just be able to hang out because that bond can go a long way. No matter good times, bad times, that bond will continue. It was good to connect with the guys for a few days.”
The work extended for three days — and was documented on Kendrick Bourne’s YouTube channel — in between bonding sessions on the lake or in the vacation house (which the receiver thanked Maye for).
It’s part of the 22-year-old Maye growing more as a leader in his sophomore season.
“It’s been great. Obviously, he’s a talented player,” Henry said. “I think just him growing in his leadership and just off the field stuff, and as a player, I’ve seen a lot of growth in him and confidence. That’s only going to continue to go the more practices we stack and more reps we take.”
In addition to Henry and Bourne, skill position players such as Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Ja’Lynn Polk, Rhamondre Stevenson, Jaheim Bell, and Terrell Jennings caught passes from Maye and fellow quarterback Joshua Dobbs.
Diggs’ participation down in Charlotte as he rehabs a torn ACL he has now been cleared from also impressed the veteran tight end, who is excited to now share the field with the four-time Pro Bowler in training camp and the regular season.
“He’s doing great, man,” Henry said. “Obviously a guy that adds a lot of value here and a guy that’s done a ton in this league. Everybody has a lot of respect for and I got a lot of respect for the work he’s put in. I’ve been through an ACL myself and, it’s a tough injury and he’s done a tremendous job of just staying focused, staying locked in, and he looks really good.
“So, excited to go out there and compete with them. And kind of get a feel for each other on the field, too. I know he brings a lot of energy and excited to be out there with him.”
