Pats Pulpit
The Patriots held their seventh organized team activity of the spring on Monday, June 2.
The New England Patriots continued their offseason workout program on Monday as they kicked off the third and final week of organized team activities. Taking to the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium, they held their seventh OTA of the spring, and the third one open to media.
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 session in the Foxboro sun.
Absentees: CB Carlton Davis III, CB Marcus Jones, LB Anfernee Jennings, RB Trayveon Williams, OL Tyrese Robinson, WR Kendrick Bourne
Non-participants: WR Mack Hollins, TE Austin Hooper
Limited: WR Stefon Diggs, WR Ja’Lynn Polk, S Marcus Epps, S Kyle Dugger, OL Jared Wilson, OT Vederian Lowe, DL Wilfried Pene, OL Michael Onwenu, DL Jaquelin Roy
Injuries: LB Jahlani Tavai, OL Wes Schweitzer
Monday’s session marked the anticipated return of wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who participated in individual drills before working off to the side with Ja’Lynn Polk during full-speed team periods. From this point of view, Diggs appears to be moving well at this stage in his ACL recovery.
On the negative side was New England losing Jahlani Tavai during Monday’s session. The veteran linebacker stayed down for an extended period of time during 11-on-11 work with teammates kneeling around him. Tavai needed help off the field and struggled to put much weight on his left leg.
Also going down with an injury at one point was guard Wes Schweitzer, but he quickly returned.
Maye impresses: After two up-and-down performances this spring with the media in attendance, Monday’s practice was the best for Drake Maye so far. Starting one period with a coverage sack and throwaway, the second-year quarterback went on to complete nine straight passes over three periods and was sharp and in command throughout.
The completions included his best throw of the day on a wheel route to Rhamondre Stevenson down the left sideline: an off-platform Maye dropped it right into the back’s fingertips. He also made impressive completions to Kayshon Boutte in between two defenders on a corner route and to Efton Chism on a dig.
Chism remains busy: Speaking of the undrafted receiver, Chism continued to be a ball magnet on Monday. Working with all three quarterbacks — Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs, Ben Wooldridge — he hauled in all seven of his targets and continued to be an extremely tough cover for New England’s defensive backs. With Kendrick Bourne absent, Chism took advantage of his time with Maye as well catching the aforementioned dig route with Christian Gonzalez in coverage.
Through three open practices, the shifty receiver is up to 13 receptions and continues to look like he belongs. He was also again the last player off the practice field, staying late to work on the JUGS machine.
Guarding Maye: The Patriots’ competition at left guard continued on...
