As expected from a rookie in his first OTA, Maye had some good and bad things. The good thing was his urgency to get to the top of his descents. He quickly worked on his five- and seven-step drops from center, which is what you want to see. His footwork through the bags could be more efficient on a few reps, but this is progress.
In the tweet, the clip on the left shows the problem that BSJ’s Greg Bedard pointed out from rookie minicamp. When he pulls his hands away from her to begin moving her, Maye’s shoulders shrug with an unnecessary tug. She also has a long rope with an elongated throw. She needs work, but she already seems to be improving based on what we saw last weekend.
The other debate we’ll have with Maye’s mechanics is shoulder tilt on deeper throws. There isn’t necessarily a right answer, but some prefer the shoulders to be level or even when the quarterback throws. Maye throws with a slight backswing, which can create an upward trajectory on the ball. It will be interesting to see if AVP wants him to have a higher level.
Overall, there are minor improvements seen in Maye’s mechanics thanks to his work with the Patriots coaching staff. Right now, they’re taking things slow, as they should, focusing on process over results. We’ll worry about completion rates and explosive plays later.
2. Coach Mayo provides injury updates to WR Kendrick Bourne and LG Cole Strange
While it’s good to highlight the players who participated, Mayo gave an update on two players recovering from injuries this offseason.
The Patriots head coach said Kendrick Bourne will not participate in spring practices as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered last October. That’s not surprising, with the hope that Bourne can return to the field in the first half of the 2024 season. On the other hand, it is a strange situation that is worth watching. The third-year guard’s starting job isn’t very strong, and he’s not healthy right now and might not be for a while.
“That’s interesting. It’s another type that you would normally say day to day. It’s more, say, week to week, or you can go month to month if you want,” Mayo said. in Stranger.
Continuing with the veteran theme, New England had veteran guard Nick Leverett at right guard, while Sidy Sow filled in at left guard without Strange on the interior. After two disappointing seasons for the former first-round pick, Strange is on the bench as he rehabs an injury.
3. The offensive line takes shape for New England
Initially, the Patriots have the veteran offensive line combination of LT Chuks Okorafor, LG Sidy Sow, C David Andrews, RG Nick Leverett and RT Mike Onwenu.
Leverett is New England’s typical wide-body guard with the look of a Patriots right guard, while Sow took first reps in Strange’s usual spot. Last week, fourth-round pick Layden Robinson was working at left guard, so the Patriots are already working on contingencies if Strange misses time during the season. Okorafor also seemed unsure at left tackle in his post-practice comments, talking about the adjustment period. It’s also interesting that Onwenu doesn’t appear to have slimmed down to play tackle.
As mentioned, Vederian Lowe got the next reps at left tackle, followed by rookie Caedan Wallace. Atonio Mafi received reps at all three interior spots, including center, while Robinson worked at right guard with the other rookies. As with the quarterback, veterans took priority.
4. Running back Antonio Gibson seems to fit well in Van Pelt’s offense.
During the spring some skill players always attract attention. Some don’t work out, but Gibson has enough proven production in the NFL to treat this differently. The free agent addition was active in the passing game and showed some juice. He seems a natural pairing opposite Rhamondre Stevenson in the role of Kareem Hunt to Stevenson’s Nick Chubb.
5. Is a healthy JuJu Smith-Schuster competing for a job this summer?
Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster spoke after practice, where he told reporters he was “60 percent” this time last year compared to 100 percent this spring. Smith-Schuster arrived last offseason after a knee injury that limited him during Kansas City’s playoff run. The knee issue then persisted into the 2023 season. Although we’ll have to see it to believe it, Smith-Schuster is in a better place physically.
With 11 wide receivers on the roster, there are no spots on the roster for deadlifts. Smith-Schuster will need to earn his place, as will free agent KJ Osborn, who suffered two falls during team drills. Tyquan Thornton’s “the best shape of his life” campaign got off to a decent start with a nice post-corner route where he broke away from CB Alex Austin.
6. Maye, Polk and Javon Baker stay late to work more
It wouldn’t be spring football without a tidbit like this to end the notes: Drake Maye led a post-practice throwing session with Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. The trio stayed on the field for an additional ~15 minutes and were the last three players off the practice field. Hopefully, that indicates the culture Maye and his rookie receivers are trying to build here in New England.
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