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Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
7 Patriots training camp observations from Day 5: Key WR returns for first day of pads
FOXBORO — The New England Patriots took the field at Gillette Stadium on Monday for the fifth day of training camp, but the first in full pads. And head coach Mike Vrabel was ready to keep moving things along. 'We want to be able to practice the same way we have to play, which is physical and within the rules,' Vrabel said. 'Have a great play demeanor, finish through the whistle, and all those things." While it was a quieter day for the offense, with the focus on the run game, one key player returned while a starter left the field limping during practice. So, without further ado, let's get into the top observations from the fifth day of training camp. 1. Christian Gonzalez Limps Off The Field During one of the 11-on-11 sessions, Gonzalez was tasked with covering Stefon Diggs, in which the veteran receiver caught a pass from Maye. Gonzalez grabbed his left leg after the play and was seen limping off the field alongside trainers. He didn't return to practice. The good sign was that he walked off on his own, but it's never good to see one of the Patriots' star players leave training camp in that manner. Carlton Davis, who is the presumed starter alongside Gonzalez, was also absent, leaving Alex Austin, Marcus Jones, and Marcellas Dial (slot) as the top three cornerbacks. 2. Ja'Lynn Polk Returns After missing the first four days of training camp with muscle tightness, second-year wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk returned to the field. He struggled in his rookie year, but is looking to get back on track. And Polk certainly jumped out to a good start with a six-yard touchdown pass from Drake Maye during a red zone team period. 3. Quarterback Stats It was a quieter day for the offense, with the focus mostly on the run game in the red zone. Here is how the quarterbacks did on Monday: Drake Maye: 5/6Joshua Dobbs: 2/2Ben Wooldridge: 2/3 Maye also appeared to take what would have been three sacks, including two from K'Lavon Chaisson. 4. Defense Dominated 1-on-1s The defensive line and offensive line squared off against one another on one part of the field, while the wide receivers and the cornerbacks competed on another. Overall, the defense came out on top, but there were some impressive plays from individual players. Keion White certainly gave rookie left tackle Will Campbell some trouble, providing him with a true "welcome to the NFL." However, once they transitioned to 11s, Campbell fared a lot better, including a nice block on Milton Williams to open up a lane for Rhamondre Stevenson. As for the wide receivers vs. the cornerbacks, the defense mostly came out on top, staying in tight coverage and knocking the ball out when they could. Some of the highlight plays from the offense included Kyle Williams' one-handed catch in the corner of the end zone over Marcellas Dial. Kayshon Boutte won both of his matchups against Gonzalez, while DeMario Douglas used a nice move to get past Marcus Jones, with Jones having to do pushups in return. 'Iron sharpens iron every day, so my focus is on getting better every day, working towards the best plays and getting sharp every day,' Boutte said regarding his matchups against Gonzalez. 5. Kicker Battle Takes Interesting Turn Parker Romo was the only kicker to take any field goal attempts during the team period, despite rookie kicker Andy Borregales being out there as well. Romo went 6-for-6 from distances ranging between 30 and 50 yards. 6. Attendance Absent: LB Jahlani Tavai, CB Carlton Davis, WR Mack Hollins (PUP), OT Vederian Lowe (PUP), TE Austin Hooper (PUP) Returning: WR Ja'Lynn Polk, SJosh Minkins (NFI) 7. What's Next? The Patriots will be back out on the field on Tuesday for their sixth practice of the summer, with gates set to open at 9:15 a.m. ET and practice beginning at 10:15 a.m. ET. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook. This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 7 Patriots training camp observations from Day 5
New York Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
It's not Drake Maye's fault Patriots are where they are (but it's the thought that counts)
FOXBORO, Mass. — Drake Maye's Wednesday media availability had been lumbering along for about six minutes, with the second-year quarterback of the New England Patriots answering the usual second-rate questions. This is absolutely no knock on the people who cover the Patriots for a living. It's just that it's hard to ask deep, probing questions at the end of the first practice session of training camp, especially with horns blaring, fans cheering and the noonish sun beating down on everyone's necks. It's not unlike asking the veteran big-league pitcher about his first Grapefruit League appearance and being told, 'Just getting my work in.' Advertisement Heck, what could be more lame than bringing up Maye's first completion to newly minted Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs and then asking, 'What was that like???' It was I who asked that beauty. But it was after the media availability was over that Maye swung open the front door to his innermost football feelings and invited everyone to take a peek. All this happened just after Patriots vice president of media relations Stacey James had already said, 'Last question,' and after that last question had already been answered and Maye was now poised to exit, stage right. Enter Karen Guregian of MassLive, who started covering the Patriots in 1993 for the Boston Herald. How long ago was that? Drew Bledsoe and Bill Parcells were new in town and James Busch Orthwein owned the team. And the team played in a stadium with aluminum benches. That's how long ago. Maye had already made a couple of remarks attesting to his level of excitement for the 2025 Patriots, but without offering any specifics. But now, in the bonus round, he was being asked for those specifics. 'What excites me most?' Maye asked. 'I think you've got guys around here that are tired of losing around here, and guys that want to win. I think that's what excites me most. Guys want to win around here. I think the past two or three years around here and the past year for me, I can only speak for myself, but I think there's guys around here that are tired of losing and want to win.' He wasn't chuckling when he answered the question. Nor did he 'Shout It Out,' as though taking on the role of the cleaning product that's said to be tough on stains. But Maye was definitely pensive, as though this was something that had been on his mind for a while. Before continuing, it's important to restate that this is only Maye's second season with the Patriots. That the Patriots are where they are is not his fault. Yes, he was on the scene in 2024 when the Patriots, with one-and-done Jerod Mayo running the shop, went 4-13. Maye appeared in 13 games in 2024, making 12 starts. But he won only one game in which he quarterbacked the Patriots the entire game. If you want to give Maye a big slice of blame pie for 2024, conveniently leaving out that he was a rookie playing for a team with a coaching staff that was about to be dismantled, go right ahead. Advertisement But Maye wasn't around in 2023, when the Patriots went 4-13 in Bill Belichick's last season as head coach. It was also the season in which the Mac Jones era at quarterback came to an inglorious end. If Maye saw any of that Patriots season, it was probably on a flat screen from his apartment at UNC while eating a slice or two from Italian Pizzeria III. Nor was Maye on the New England scene in 2022, when the Patriots went 8-9, or in 2021 when they went 10-7 but were handed a 47-17 beating by the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round. And so on. And yet here's Maye, talking about guys who are 'tired of losing around here.' Talking about guys 'that want to win,' talking about 'the past two or three years around here.' Only it certainly didn't sound like Maye was speaking for himself. If you're a Patriots fan looking for signs that this team has an interest in getting back into the winning business, Maye's comments were the biggest news to come out of the first day of training camp. Well, OK, perhaps you're the type who limits optimism to what can be gleaned from X's and O's, in which case Maye's first pass attempt to Stefon Diggs was a much bigger deal. Diggs ran a crossing route and made the catch a step ahead of his defender. Boilerplate stuff, but it was 'Maye to Diggs' for the first time, and that's what the crowd was looking for on Day 1. The Maye completion to Diggs was real football stuff. As for that close-of-business quote, it's not something you're likely to take into account while mulling the 8.5 over/under win total that's been assigned to the Patriots. But there was nothing performative or fake about what Maye said. If it were, he'd have found a way to weave it into the discussion earlier in the session. It's not just that Maye is ready for his close-up as the leader of the 2025 New England Patriots. By talking about the failures of the recent past, and doing so with a sort of melancholy for those who came before him, it's as though he spent the summer reading Bob Hyldburg's 'Total Patriots.' Maye's job is to make the Patriots a better team. It sounds like he also wants to make them a better organization.
New York Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Patriots aren't hiding from woes of last two years: ‘Guys here are tired of losing'
FOXBORO, Mass. — Stefon Diggs worked up the fans at the first practice of training camp, urging them on as he ran onto the field. Robert Kraft beamed with optimism. Mike Vrabel embodied the hope that comes with a new era as the New England Patriots try to turn the page after struggling mightily over the last two seasons. Advertisement The first day of camp is exciting for every team. But for a Patriots organization that has been stuck in the basement of the standings after two decades of dominance, Wednesday brought legitimate hope that it had finally reset, ready to turn things around after its decline at the end of Bill Belichick's otherwise remarkable tenure. That said, the team isn't shying away from the reality of the last two seasons. 'I think we've got guys around here that are tired of losing and guys that want to win,' second-year quarterback Drake Maye said. 'That's what excites me most. … The past two or three years around here — and the past year for me, I can only speak for myself — there's guys here who are tired of losing and want to win.' LIVE: Drake Maye Press Conference 7/23: — New England Patriots (@Patriots) July 23, 2025 The Patriots are 8-27 in their last 35 games. The two main reasons for hope, of course, are Vrabel and Maye and what they might become as one of the league's most promising coach-quarterback duos. But if there was another source of optimism as camp opened Wednesday, it was the sight of Diggs sprinting around the field. The Patriots badly needed to improve at wide receiver this offseason after getting the fewest yards in the NFL from that position a year ago. But the Diggs addition looked risky when he signed in March. Diggs suffered a torn ACL late last October. The timeline for his return was unclear. But earlier this week, Diggs passed his physical and was cleared for participation in training camp. On Day 1, he caught a pair of passes from Maye. 'Everybody said I came back pretty fast, but it was a different journey for me,' Diggs said. 'I pushed it. I wanted to get back as fast as I could, and I just was super serious about my rehab process. I love football, and if you really love football, you're putting that time in. Getting injured is part of the game. But getting back to playing football just makes me extremely happy.' Stef let the dogs out 😭😂 — New England Patriots (@Patriots) July 23, 2025 It was just one day — a pretty easy one as far as training camp practices go, considering players aren't yet allowed to be in pads — but it was a productive one for the offense. There were only two 11-on-11 team periods, but Maye connected with Diggs in each of those. 'He made some plays out here today,' Maye said. 'It's awesome being able to throw to a guy like that. And even when you feel like he's not open, he's going to go make a play for you in tight coverage. He's a strong receiver, going to make plays. And I think we've got a bunch of those guys in the room that will earn their role and find their role.' Advertisement Kraft was on hand in part for a charity event promoting dog adoptions, but he, too, expressed optimism about what's to come. He chatted on the field before practice with Vrabel, the first-year coach whom Kraft chose after firing Jerod Mayo. He noted the success that has come during his 31-year tenure, yet acknowledged the struggles of late. 'Except for the last two years,' Kraft said, 'I think we've done really well.' A year ago, there was also optimism as Mayo brought a different direction and vibe than what Belichick had provided for so long. But it was apparent early on that his team was overmanned and not improving. This season, the optimism on Day 1 of camp seems more warranted and likely more sustainable. Vrabel has brought a change that starts with eliminating bad football. 'We talk about the good, the bad and the s— that gets you beat, and I think that they can tell the difference between those three now,' Vrabel said. 'My job is to try to get them to eliminate the stuff that gets you beat. We just have to correct the bad, and we have to continue and enhance the good stuff that we do.' We'll learn much more as camp goes on, as the practices intensify and it becomes clear who is standing out (though it's worth noting that rookie receiver Kyle Williams had a strong day with the best catch of practice on a deep ball with Christian Gonzalez in coverage, and that Keion White was impressive on the D-line). The opening session, though, was more about the new vibe and the positive feelings around the Patriots. 'I like Day 1 where we're at,' Maye said. 'And I think we've got some more work to do.' (Photo of Drake Maye: Eric Canha / Imagn Images)
New York Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Why is Vegas so high on the Patriots … but the national media isn't?
FOXBORO, Mass. — Optimism abounds here as training camp opens for the New England Patriots. A new coach and second-year quarterback have a way of doing that. Add in an easy schedule, and hope among the locals is high for what the 2025 NFL season could bring. But I was struck recently by how that doesn't seem to match the national narrative, even as BetMGM has listed the team's over/under win total at 8.5. In an episode of The Athletic Football Show earlier this month, I was similarly struck by how hosts Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman were shocked by the hopefulness of that prospective win total, suggesting a better number was around 6.5. Advertisement Then last week, our Vic Tafur listed taking the under on the Patriots' win total as one of his best preseason bets. 'We like Mike Vrabel fine,' he wrote, 'but to hear people talk this offseason, the new Patriots coach is a combination of Vince Lombardi and Bill Belichick. … Quarterback Drake Maye and the young secondary of Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III are fine, but overpaying new defensive players and bringing in (Stefon) Diggs and Shoeless Mack Hollins doesn't add up to nine wins.' Essentially, much of the national discussion comes down to this: Did a team that is 8-27 in its last 35 games really get so much better that it'll challenge that 8.5-win number this season? As the Patriots conduct their first training camp practice on Wednesday (after getting some good news on the injury front Tuesday), let's look at the reasons the Patriots are projected to at least double their win total from last season. LIVE: Mike Vrabel Press Conference 7/22: — New England Patriots (@Patriots) July 22, 2025 Even while recognizing how much the Patriots have improved both on and off the field, this is the most important place to start. Sometimes in the NFL, you're facing an uphill battle simply because of how the schedule shakes out. But the Pats are set up pretty favorably. Based on projected win totals, the Patriots have the second-easiest schedule in the NFL (only the 49ers' is easier). Based on last season's win percentage, they have the third-easiest schedule (only the 49ers' and Saints' are easier). But there's more. Individual games through an 18-week season are so variable that sports books generally don't offer odds for every single game in a season for more than just a brief moment to create headlines. But when those initial odds were posted, the Patriots were favorites in 11 of their 17 games. Advertisement So how then is the over/under only 8.5? That's because the Patriots were narrow favorites in a lot of games, like being favored by only 1.5 against the Steelers in Week 3, the Titans in Week 7 and the Jets in Week 17. Meanwhile, they're heavy underdogs in a few others, getting 8.5 points at Buffalo in Week 5 and at Baltimore in Week 16. Still, this is an easy schedule. They play the relatively weak NFC South as their NFC crossover and the AFC North as their in-conference crossover. That's in addition to a pair of easy games against the last-place finishers from the AFC South (Titans) and NFC East (Giants). Seemingly every year, there's a quarterback who takes a big leap forward in his second season. There are plenty of candidates to do it this season, including Caleb Williams, Michael Penix, Bo Nix and J.J. McCarthy. But why not Maye? The quarterback had the worst situation around him in the NFL last season and still passed the eye test with some high-level throws. If the O-line is stabilized after drafting Will Campbell (and signing Garrett Bradbury and Morgan Moses), Stefon Diggs gives them juice at wide receiver and Josh McDaniels gets more out of the offense, Maye could take a meaningful step forward. There are no definitive rankings of NFL coaching staffs considering all of the immeasurables inherent in the profession. But it's safe to assume the Patriots staff last year would have ranked 32nd in the NFL. It had inexperience across the board. Now, Vrabel brings an experienced and established group that also blends in younger coaches with time spent in a variety of schemes. Vrabel was arguably the most sought-after coach on the market this offseason for a reason. Simply going from Jerod Mayo to Vrabel is a big improvement and a reason for confidence when contemplating whether the Patriots can more than double their 2024 win total. Advertisement A roster that was devoid of talent at so many key spots last season gets a boon from highly drafted players at left tackle, running back and wide receiver, while also adding Diggs, DT Milton Williams, LB Robert Spillane and CB Carlton Davis in free agency. That's not enough to make the Patriots a Super Bowl contender, but it's a meaningful improvement over what the team had last season. Training camp will go a long way in determining how many wins I ultimately predict for the Patriots, but for now, I'm on the fence between eight and nine. While the improved roster and Vrabel's addition help, the weak schedule is the biggest reason to expect more wins. Their non-division home games are against the Browns, Raiders, Steelers, Panthers, Falcons and Giants. Even if this roster isn't one that you'd normally look at and expect nine wins out of, the schedule is soft enough that you can expect them to double last season's win total.
CBS News
12-02-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Matt Patricia reportedly set to be hired as defensive coordinator at Ohio State
FOXBORO -- Former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is back in football, reportedly set to take a new job in the college ranks. But Patricia will not be joining Bill Belichick's staff at the University of North Carolina. Patricia is instead set to lead the defense of the defending National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes as their new defensive coordinator, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN. The 50-year-old will replace Jim Knowles, who left Ohio State last month to become the defensive coordinator at Penn State. Patricia began his coaching career in the college game, starting as a graduate assistant for his alma mater, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, in 1996. He then spent a few years away football as an engineer before taking over as the defensive line coach at Amherst College in 1999 and 2000. After three years as a graduate assistant at Syracuse, Patricia got his break in the NFL with Belichick and the New England Patriots. Matt Patricia with the Patriots Patricia began his NFL career as an assistant offensive line coach for the Patriots in 2004, and moved over to the defensive side of the ball in 2006 when he was promoted to linebackers coach. He coached New England safeties in 2011 before getting his shot as the team's defensive coordinator in 2012. The Patriots won a pair of Super Bowls with Patricia as their DC in 2014 and 2016. Overall, he has three Super Bowl rings from his time in New England. Patricia was in charge of the New England defense when Malcolm Butler made his Super Bowl-saving interception against the Seattle Seahawks in 2014. The Patriots had the NFL's top defense in 2016 under Patricia, when the team held opponents to just 15.6 points per game en route to a Super Bowl comeback victory over the Atlanta Falcons. The Patriots made the playoffs in each of Patricia's six seasons as defense coordinator. He parlayed his success with the Patriots into a head-coaching job with the Detroit Lions, but that didn't go so well for Patricia. The Lions went just 13-29 before he was fired 11 games into the 2020 season. Patricia returned to New England in 2021 as a senior football advisor, and then had a failed attempt as the team's offensive play-caller/unofficial offensive coordinator in 2022. His last NFL job was as a senior defensive assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023. Patricia got into the media during his time away from football, co-hosting the web series "Coach" will Bill Belichick while also making appearances on WBZ-TV's Sports Final on Sunday nights. Now, Patricia is heading back to college to lead the defense of the defending champions.
