FOXBOROUGH, Mass — There was lots to talk about at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, with potential drama between the head coach and the quarterback as well as cryptic answers about a shoulder injury. And all of that was answered.
Plus, the focus has now shifted to the Buffalo Bills as the New England Patriots are looking to turn things around following a 1-2 start.
Here's what I heard at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday:
Drake Maye's Shoulder Issue
For the past few days, Drake Maye has been evasive about a potential shoulder injury. And the reason for that has been discovered.
Following pracice, he was asked a simple yes or no question about his shoulder and if that's impacted his throwing.
"No, it hasn’t. I don’t think it impacts my decision-making, and that’s what makes and breaks
play for quarterbacks," he said. "I don’t feel like we’re struggling to move the ball. I think we’re turning the football over, doing things that are preventing us from scoring touchdowns, and I think that’s one of the biggest things for me. I think we’ve had a history of good football when we don’t turn the football over, playing good football and finding ourselves on the right side of games. So, that’s the biggest thing, and I’m looking forward to another good week of practice. I felt good out there today.
But shortly after, the quarterback made his debut on the injury report with a shoulder injury, but was listed as a full participant.
Mike Vrabel, Drake Maye addresses viral WEEI report
On Wednesday morning, WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show" made waves with a report of a potential rift between Vrabel and Maye.
"Wiggy and I were whispered to about this," Hill said. "On this very show yesterday, we talked about being whispered to about an issue between the head coach and the quarterback. … If you believe this individual, who is an insider. I mean, he's very much an insider. Despite what Mike Vrabel may have said publicly, it goes back to Drake Maye not being his guy."
However, when asked about this, Vrabel didn't mince words.
"He heard from who? Unnamed sources? Let me just tell you why I'm here. I'm here because Drake was the quarterback," he stated. "Believe it or not, I had choices as to where I wanted to coach. I wanted to coach here because Drake was the quarterback. So, I don't have really much other to add to that about a comment from an unnamed source. But I'll just tell you what I've told numerous people if they want to ask me why I'm here."
Maye also addressed the reports.
"Coach Vrabel’s been one of the best football coaches I’ve had in my life," the quarterback said. "I think Coach Vrabel’s been one of the biggest things as to why this has been so enjoyable for me is playing for Coach. I think we all feel that way in the locker room. He pushes us hard. I’ve loved playing for him, and it’s not going to change. It hasn’t changed, and it won’t change. The way he pushes me, and he coaches the quarterbacks in a way that I really respect, and I’m looking forward to getting going, proving to Coach that I can lead this football team and play good football."
Christian Gonzalez misses practice
Three players were absent from Wednesday's practice, all of whom are key starters. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez and defensive tackle Christian Barmore were both out with shoulder injuries, while offensive tackle Morgan Moses was sidelined with a foot injury.
As for linebacker Christian Elliss (chest), fullback Reggie Gilliam (knee), outside linebacker Dre'Mont Jones (shoulder), tight end Eli Raridon (thigh), safety Brenden Schooler (back), and safety Craig Woodson (shoulder), they were all listed as limited. And then there's Maye, who was a full participant while dealing with a shoulder injury.
Plans at right guard
With Greg Van Roten now being placed on injured reserve, the Patriots have lost their top backup at right guard. On Sunday, it was Walter Rouse who subbed in, but he struggled immensely. So, what's the plan for this week?
"Walter and Ben [Brown] will work in there today and tomorrow, and we'll kind of see where that goes for the week," Vrabel said.
Vrabel was also asked if there was any consideration of moving starting left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker to the right side as well.
"Again, the vision that I have for AVT and Will [Campbell], you’re starting to see a little bit of that," he added. "And I want to continue that, so probably not right now."
Preparing for Joe Brady and the Buffalo Bills
After losing in an embarrassing fashion to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, things aren't going to get any easier for the Patriots as they now have to go up aaginst the tough Buffalo Bills team that is firing on all cylinders.
"They're really successful in a lot of things they do," Vrabel said. "They rarely punt: five punts in three games. Josh does a fantastic job of being able to extend plays. The linemen do a fantastic job of understanding the scheme that they want to run and creating lanes for [James] Cook, who again, once he gets cooking – no pun intended, but they're just tough to stop, right? Because then it's play action, it's boots. And so, it just makes it tough to stop. [Dalton] Kincaid has been fantastic lately, averaging almost 19 yards a catch. The quarterback's tough to bring down. But I think the line is a very underrated part of what they do. It's been a very consistent unit, one that knows how to block for not only the running back, but also for the quarterback."
Maye also shined a light on the Bills' defense.
"I think it’s the guys they’ve had," the quarterback said. "I’ve played them for a couple of years now. [Terrel] Bernard in the middle and [Greg] Rousseau on the edge, and they’ve got some new additions. But these guys are Bills players. They’re in the right spot. They’re coached well. They know tendencies. They know what we like to do, and I think one of the best things about what they do is they’re going to make you earn it. I think that’s the Bills, and we’ve got a tough challenge. So, I’m looking forward to getting back up there, seeing the new stadium. They know who they have on offense and how explosive their offense is. So, they do a nice job of making you earn it and making you drive the football."
Run game
The Patriots' run game has struggled to start the season, and they know they need to improve if they want to get back on track and back in the win column.
"It's not good enough, honestly," Rhamondre Stevenson told Patriots Wire. "But it's early in the season, just something you've got to get comfortable with. Just me, the O-Line, and Trey, just running behind our pads and getting on the right track."
Patriots sign new tackle
The Patriots have brought in another offensive tackle, signing Da’Metrius Weatherspoon to the practice squad. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Bills. But he was released by Buffalo at the end of training camp.
Other notes
- Mike Vrabel says the two open roster spots "are not filled" as of Wednesday, but the team did sign someone to the practice squad.
- Mike Vrabel on Harold Landry's possible return: "Correct. Not yet. Harold continues to work hard to try to get back. I think we'll just have to be smart about when we start his window and then what that looks like. But not yet."
- After Kevin Byard III said on NBC Sports Boston's Early edition that the team had a 45-minute meeting regarding the bad plays and holding others accountable, Vrabel was asked about it and said, "We don't want to be the issue. We want to be the answer." He added that this is "a great opportunity for us to be the answer, to understand that we choose our demeanor, we choose our attitude, we choose our response. That's not up to anybody else."
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: What I’m hearing at Gillette Stadium: Wednesday word (Week 4)
