Pats Pulpit
The Patriots held their first open organized team activity of the spring on Tuesday, May 20.
The New England Patriots continued their offseason workout program on Tuesday. Taking to the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium, they held their second organized team activity of the spring, and the first one open to media.
While OTAs do not include pads or contact, there was still plenty to take away from the session.
Absentees: WR Stefon Diggs (lnee), RB Rhamondre Stevenson (personal), G Sidy Sow (unknown), DL Joshua Farmer (unknown)
Non-participants: WR Mack Hollins, OT Vederian Lowe
Given the voluntary nature of OTAs, the Patriots’ strong attendance was noteworthy on Tuesday. Among the four absentees, just two were unexpected: Sidy Sow and rookie Joshua Farmer were out for undisclosed reasons. Mack Hollins and Vederian Lowe, who underwent offseason surgery, were both present on the field but did not participate throughout the day.
A handful of players who suffered injuries last season were additionally limited. This group included WR Ja’Lynn Polk, OT Morgan Moses, DT Jaquelin Roy, S Kyle Dugger, S Jabrill Peppers and S Marcus Epps. G Michael Onwenu and C Jared Wilson rounded out the limited group.
Short memory Maye: It was a rough start to the day for sophomore quarterback Drake Maye. In the first 11-on-11 session, Maye tossed four interceptions. One was an overthrow with pressure in his face; one came in the flat on a pass intended for DeMario Douglas; one was a good play by Christian Gonzalez on a deep shot to Kyle Williams; the final one was a tipped throw intended for Hunter Henry.
Maye showed some short memory, however, and rebounded strongly in the second session of team work. He ended his day by throwing three straight perfectly placed balls to Henry over the middle, a great timed pass into the Cover 2 hole to Williams on a corner route along the sideline, and a back-shoulder ball downfield to Javon Baker against Gonzalez.
It was the ups and downs of a quarterback in the early days of a new offense.
O-line watch: With several veterans limited along the offensive line, a full picture was tough to nail down during team drills. But, the practice opened with rookie Will Campbell at his expected spot at left tackle with Cole Strange working next to him. Strange also saw time at right guard throughout the day while veteran Wes Schweitzer took the spot next to Campbell when Onwenu and Moses sat out.
Garrett Bradbury handled the snaps throughout the day with Maye under center.
Gonzo in midseason form: Coming off an All-Pro selection in 2024, Christian Gonzalez looked ready for the season to start on Tuesday. Working opposite of newcomer Carlton Davis, the third-year man recorded two of the four interceptions off Maye early on.
The second was one of the best plays of the day. He bailed off the flat to track down an over-the-shoulder pick against an open Kyle Williams downfield. Impressive stuff....
