The New England Patriots kicked off the final week of their offseason program on Tuesday with Day 1 of mandatory minicamp. While minicamp still does not include any pads or live contact, there was still plenty to take away from the event.
Here’s what went down on the lower practice field throughout the 90 minute session.
Attendance
Absentees: OT Morgan Moses, OLB Gabe Jacas, OLB Harold Landry
Limited: CB Christian Gonzalez, CB Marcellas Dial Jr.
As work transitioned to the mandatory phase of the offseason the Patriots
had every under contract in the building. That did not include rookie Gabe Jacas, as head coach Mike Vrabel explained prior to practice he was not at the facility due to a procedure and still being unsigned. Additionally along the edge, Landry was spotted briefly riding an athletic bike but continued to not participate.
“Harold has played a lot of football, and so we just have to try to — this is all part of everyone has a little different plan,” Vrabel explained. “He is very involved, very heavily involved in the meetings and the workouts and in a leadership role. For him to take reps right now in the spring, I feel like is unnecessary. We will just keep working to make sure that he is ready to go when we need him.”
The only other absence during the mandatory period was offensive tackle Morgan Moses, who left last week’s OTA session with the training staff.
The main storyline entering the day was the status of Christian Gonzalez, as the corner missed OTAs as he continues to seek a long-term extension. Gonzalez was present and participated in stretch and individual periods before observing competitive team work.
Takeaways
Sharp Drake: It was an extremely efficient day on the field for Drake Maye and the top offense, as the ball hit the ground just three times (one a dirted ball against a blitz) in four competitive team periods — most coming in the high red zone. It took just three plays for Maye to deliver a back shoulder high point fade to A.J. Brown for a roughly 15-yard touchdown against Kindle Vildor, while the quarterback also threw pretty downfield touchdowns to Rhamondre Stevenson and Hunter Henry on corner routes.
Maye was sharp operating over the middle of the field and also had a no-look check-down out wide to Stevenson. It’s continued to be a good offseason for the 23-year old.
Brown’s usage: Speaking of Brown, the star wide receiver was expectedly much more active after having a week team under his belt with his new team. Brown went up to secure the pretty back shoulder touchdown — a likely glimpse into a regular connection this season — and later caught a slant from Maye.
“I am sure it has been a whirlwind for him, but he is excited about learning the system and eventually moving around and doing different things,” Vrabel said. “I think it has been great just having him around and continuing to integrate himself into our football team.”
Boutte and the WRs: Elsewhere in the wide receiver, Kayshon Boutte did not appear limited in his return after being away from the team during voluntary work. He finished with just one catch on two targets (both from Tommy DeVito), but the incompletion was an overthrow in the end zone that made it difficult for an open Boutte to get both feet down in bounds.
It was then another busy day for DeMario Douglas with five receptions, although all of them came in the short area of the field. Romeo Doubs had two receptions from Maye, while Efton Chism III continued to be a favorite target from DeVito with three catches. DeVito also connected three times with fellow second-year wide receiver Kyle Williams. In a reoccurring theme from OTAs, all four UDFA wide receivers saw extremely minimal action.
OLine shuffle: With Morgan Moses sidelined, rookie Caleb Lomu got the majority of reps as the top right tackle. Lomu continued his cross-training process as well, as the first rounder then took his natural left tackle spot with the second unit.
For the first time this spring, we saw Alijah Vera-Tucker rep in his starting left guard spot during competitive team drills as he works back from his torn tricep. It was still not full-go for Vera-Tucker, as he led off each period and took a handful of reps before ceding way to Ben Brown.
Other notes:
- Veterans continued to largely rep over rookies in depth roles. That was noticeable with Lan Larison and Terrell Jennings continuing to see most of the work behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
- At tight end, Jack Westover saw the top opportunities behind Hunter Henry, who was active himself with four receptions. There was a heavy rotation in the second unit with C.J. Dippre, Eli Raridon, and Tanner Arkin. As for the third-round rookie, Raridon caught one pass from DeVito.
- Andrew Rupcich continued to serve as the main backup guard behind Ben Brown, while Rupcich also saw time at center — which led to one snap in the dirt. Caedan Wallace largely handled the top backup spot on the right side.
- With Jacas and Landry still sidelined, second-year pro Elijah Ponder continued to rep opposite of Dre’Mont Jones. Ponder, who OLB coach Mike Smith said is having a strong spring, helped blow up a screen pass late in practice to Stevenson.
- Carlton Davis was back at practice and was a full participant, while Kindle Vildor and Kobee Minor saw a fair share of reps opposite of him with Gonzalez spectating. While Vildor was beat by Brown on the back shoulder touchdown, he did have tight coverage later on against Brown on a similar play for an incompletion.
- The Patriots have still not repped kick return in an open practice. Marcus Jones, DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism III. and Romeo Doubs served as punt returners.
- Chism was the last player off the field as he spent extensive time on the Jugs machine with several other receivers following practice.
- New England will back for Day 2 of minicamp on Wednesday, which will again be open to reporters.
