After what head coach Mike Vrabel described as a positive first day of OTAs, the New England Patriots were back to work on Wednesday holding their second session of the week on the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium.
For the first time this spring, the media was present to watch from start to finish as well. And while OTAs do not include any pads or live contact, there was still plenty to take away from the event.
Attendance
Absentees: WR Kayshon Boutte, WR Mack Hollins, WR Kyle Dixon, ED Harold Landry III,
ED Gabe Jacas, CB Christian Gonzalez, CB Carlton Davis III
Limited: OG Alijah Vera-Tucker, CB Marcellas Dial Jr.
Seven players were not in attendance on Wednesday for various reasons, with cornerback Christian Gonzalez among them. Prior to the practice, Vrabel shared that, “[e]verybody’s got a different practice plan. We’ve talked about that. But the communication has been great for whatever reason that guys aren’t at practice.”
On the field, starting left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker spent time off to the side during team periods as he works back from a season-ending triceps tear suffered last September. Cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr. did the same after tearing his ACL last summer.
Takeaways
Drake’s day: Drake Maye’s second day of OTAs looked about as expected, with the quarterback making his usual handful of “wow” throws while also working back into the flow of things.
After completing his first pass of the day to Romeo Doubs on a slant, his best throw came a few attempts later when he layered a deep crosser over the middle to DeMario Douglas. The quarterback also had impressive completions to Hunter Henry on a sail route and climbed the pocket to find Kyle Williams over the middle.
The misses included throws sprayed both high and low, while he also placed an out route behind Williams that was intercepted by Karon Prunty.
“Just left an out route inside. Can’t do that in this league,” he said.
Lomu and the line: First-round offensive tackle Caleb Lomu worked at right tackle with the top offensive line on Wednesday. Veteran Morgan Moses would begin team periods before ceding way to the rookie mid-way through as Lomu continues to cross-train on both sides.
“I think he’s going to have the ability to play both sides. I can report that he’ll be on the right today. He might get some snaps on the left,” Vrabel said. “But you guys know how this goes. We played 10 linemen last year. We’re going to have to have five good ones that can protect Drake [Maye], as well as a swing tackle.”
Along the interior of the starting unit, veteran guard Andrew Rupcich, who spent much of his first season with the Patriots on the practice squad, held down the left guard spot while Vera-Tucker did not participate in full-team periods. Jared Wilson and Mike Onwenu lined up in their expected spots at center and right guard, respectively. Will Campbell was the starting left tackle throughout.
During team work, veteran James Hudson was the top backup left tackle while Marcus Bryant and Dametrious Crownover rotated along the right side. Sebastian Gutierrez, Ben Brown, and Caedan Wallace all saw action along the interior.
Receiver watch: With A.J. Brown speculation continuing, Vrabel praised Romeo Doubs, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III for a strong first day of OTAs in New England’s current wide receiver room. On Wednesday, Maye’s first pass of the day was a completed slant to Doubs, who had two catches on four targets, while DeMario Douglas was the top receiver catching four of his five targets.
Those four saw most of the work throughout the day, with Chism catching two passes from Tommy DeVito and Williams catching one from Maye before seeing rookie Behren Morton overthrow him open downfield. It was a quiet day from the three present UDFA wide receivers, meanwhile, who ended with zero targets in limited action.
Newcomers shine: Several offseason additions were around the football for New England’s defense on Wednesday. That was highlighted by fifth-round pick Karon Prunty hauling in the aforementioned interception against Drake Maye and taking it back for a pick-six.
Fellow cornerback Kindle Vildor and linebacker K.J. Britt, who each signed one-year deals in free agency, had impressive pass breakups as well. Vildor was covering DeMario Douglas, while Britt held his own against third-round rookie Eli Raridon.
Vrabel’s presence: Prior to practice, Mike Vrabel promised to be out there in full force when asked if he would miss any more football activities due to his ongoing personal situation. The coach held through with his promise as Vrabel looked like his usual self on the practice field: bouncing from group-to-group, jokingly got on players during conditioning work, and wearing a pinnie while playing linebacker at times during walkthrough periods.
Other notes:
- New England’s offensive system is expected to expand in Year 2 under Josh McDaniels. On Wednesday, notable elements included tempo and plenty of heavy personnel groupings featuring offseason additions such as Reggie Gilliam and Julian Hill.
- Lan Larison operated as the team’s third running back behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
- With rookies taking more of a backseat to veterans, Eli Raridon repped with the second unit behind Hunter Henry, Julian Hill, and Jack Westover. The rookie did catch one of his two targets.
- In the defensive trenches, Cory Durden was the top nose tackle while Elijah Ponder saw plenty of reps opposite Dre’Mont Jones with Harold Landry and Gabe Jacas sidelined.
- Down both Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis, New England saw a heavy cornerback rotation that included Kindle Vildor, Kobee Minor, Charles Woods, and Karon Prunty. In addition to the aforementioned pass breakups, Woods also wrestled a completion away from Hunter Henry.
- As the Patriots worked their field goal block install late in practice, Andy Borregales knocked through all three attempts from around extra point range.
- The Patriots’ next open OTA session is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2.
