Pats Pulpit
The Patriots held their fifth organized team activity of the spring on Wednesday, May 28.
The New England Patriots continued their offseason workout program on Wednesday. Taking to the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium, they held their fifth organized team activity of the spring, and the second one open to media.
While OTAs do not include pads or contact, there was still plenty to take away from the session in the Foxboro sun.
Absentees: WR Stefon Diggs, CB Carlton Davis, OL Caedan Wallace, TE Austin Hooper
Non-participants: WR Mack Hollins
Limited: WR Ja’Lynn Polk, S Marcus Epps, S Kyle Dugger, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, LB Jahlani Tavai, RB Trayveon Williams, OL Jared Wilson, OT Vederian Lowe, OL Michael Onwenu, DL Jaquelin Roy
Two of New England’s high-priced free agents were absent from Wednesday’s session. Following a controversial social media video, Stefon Diggs was not present as he also continues his recovery from a torn ACL. Cornerback Carlton Davis, meanwhile, appears to be on vacation.
Wallace and Hooper were new additions to the absent list from the last practice open to the media. Mack Hollins remained present in street clothes while a long list of players were limited (nothing new for this time of the season).
Offensive inconsistencies: Although he fumbled his final snap of the day, there were no interceptions for quarterback Drake Maye on Wednesday after his four-pick practice last week. However, the Patriots offense is still clearly trying to find its rhythm early in the offseason.
Working in several tight pockets, it was an inconsistent day accuracy-wise for both Maye and backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs. The latter threw the lone interception of the practice, a pass that bounced off John Jiles’ hands and ended up caught by cornerback Miles Battle.
As for Maye, he had several connections with tight end Hunter Henry and continues to be near perfect working the sail route to the veteran. Maye’s best pass of the day may have come to fellow tight end Jack Westover on an immaculately-placed back shoulder seam pass. Westover was not able to haul the throw in, leading to the two going back connecting on the same route following practice.
Vrabel and Baker: With no Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, and a limited Ja’Lynn Polk in the wide receiver room, opportunities presented themselves for Javon Baker. The second-year receiver had a strong catch over the middle on a dig route from Joshua Dobbs before a rocky end to his day.
Baker caught a contested pass down the left side — where he appeared to push off — and celebrated downfield afterwards before working his way to the sideline. He did not, however, hear an animated Mike Vrabel calling for him to quickly get back in the huddle. Mack Hollins was seen talking to Baker about the play once he checked out while Vrabel and him walked to the locker room following practice in further discussion.
UDFAs busy: Baker wasn’t the only young receiver to see more run,...
