Pats Pulpit
The Patriots held their first day of mandatory minicamp Monday, June 9.
The New England Patriots kicked off the final week of their offseason workout program on Monday with a competitive and energetic Day 1 of mandatory minicamp.
The team was once again not in full pads and there was no live contact either. That said, there was still plenty to take away from the two-hour session in Foxboro.
Absentees: OG Wes Schweitzer, OG Tyrese Robinson
Non-participants: WR Mack Hollins, CB Miles Battle, LB Jahlani Tavai
Limited: WR Stefon Diggs, WR Ja’Lynn Polk, LB Marte Mapu, S Kyle Dugger, CB Kobee Minor, OL Jared Wilson, OT Vederian Lowe, DL Wilfried Pene, OL Michael Onwenu, DL Jaquelin Roy, TE Austin Hooper
As the offseason transitioned into the mandatory phase of things, only two players — guards Wes Schweitzer and Tyrese Robinson — were nowhere to be seen. Prior to practice, head coach Mike Vrabel noted that a couple players would not be present for “personal reasons.”
Elsewhere, the usual group remained limited while Jahlani Tavai (calf) and Miles Battle, who had a wrap on his left hand, were new additions to the group of non-participants.
Maye impresses: For the second straight open practice, Drake Maye was sharp under center — specifically when things moved into the red area for the final two competitive 11-on-11 periods. Down near the goal line, the second-year quarterback had back-to-back touchdowns to TreVeyon Henderson out of the backfield before hitting Kendrick Bourne in the back right corner of the end zone.
Earlier in the day, the 22-year-old also had connections with DeMario Douglas while hitting Hunter Henry over the middle after moving a defender with a pump fake to the flat.
“Kind of bummed out it's time to leave,” said Maye, who has looked more and more comfortable as the spring has gone on.
Bringing pressure: Throughout a good overall day for Drake Maye, the quarterback did have to deal with a handful of pressure at times in the non-padded practice.
Keion White was in Maye’s face on the first competitive team snap of the day while K’Lavon Chaisson also got home off the edge. New England’s interior — led by Christian Barmore and Milton Williams — also had disruptive moments. It is worth noting, though, that the nature of these “passing camps” favor the defensive line.
With the aforementioned Wes Schweitzer and Tyrese Robinson absent, Cole Strange handled the work at left guard.
Williams goes long: New England rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams had the highlight of the day. The third-round draft pick split a Tampa 2 look down the middle before hauling in a 50ish-yard deep ball from backup QB Joshua Dobbs for a touchdown (the second time the two have connected on a deep shot this spring).
Williams also had a strong catch on a back-shoulder ball down the right sideline from Dobbs and has shown his field-stretching ability from the X-receiver spot.
Diggs’ day: After being present for...
