FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Fast-hit ideas and notes across the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Maye’s mates: As soon as the Patriots knew that quarterback Drake Maye can be their decide at No. 3 total within the NFL draft — a choice that finally was anticlimactic by the point it was introduced April 25 — that they had one other purpose in thoughts.
Draft a receiver, or two, who might develop with Maye.
Chemistry between a quarterback and receiver takes time to develop, and the concept that Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk (second spherical, No. 37) and UCF’s Javon Baker (fourth spherical, No. 110) can be signing four-year contracts was interesting to govt vp of participant personnel Eliot Wolf and the Patriots’ brass — offering an extended runway to hopefully see that QB-WR development evolve.
This team-building method is well timed to focus on after the Patriots’ first week of voluntary organized group actions. One of the notable issues reporters noticed was how Maye, Polk and Baker have been the final three gamers on the sphere, staying properly after observe had ended, to increase their work collectively.
Maye would name out sure throws he wished to work on — “again shoulder!” — and the receivers would then run routes at half pace as Maye principally delivered in stride.
“It is tremendous priceless,” remarked former Patriots receiver Deion Department, the MVP of Tremendous Bowl XXXIX. “These younger males coming in, they’re on this collectively and I believe that may be wonderful for them, if all of them commit.”
Department had an identical expertise in 2002 when the Patriots chosen him within the second spherical out of Louisville. He and seventh-round receiver David Givens of Notre Dame developed a direct bond, which additionally prolonged to tight finish Daniel Graham, the group’s first-round decide from Colorado.
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“We have been very tight. These are guys you possibly can undergo the rut with. ‘Hey man, I am making errors right now’ and your teammate, particularly your draftmate, goes to drag you up,” Department stated.
“You may lean on one another. Bounce concepts off one another. Examine collectively. All this stuff, these younger males could have the chance to do with each other. It is magical if these guys purchase into every little thing.”
Despite the fact that quarterback Tom Brady was getting into his third NFL season in 2002, he was nonetheless nearer in age to the draft class than the vast majority of veterans on the group, which Department stated helped rookies develop an identical reference to him. Department remembers Brady stressing the significance of creating the transition from “amateurism to professionalism.” Department remembers soaking it up “like a sponge,” and it did not damage that the group was coming off an sudden Tremendous Bowl overcome the closely favored Rams, with Brady having changed the injured Drew Bledsoe after which conserving the job upon Bledsoe’s return to well being.
In order that half is notably completely different from what Maye, Polk and Baker are presently residing in New England, the place the group is coming off a 4-13 season and is led by first-year coach Jerod Mayo, with longshot odds to contend for the AFC East championship.
Along with their prolonged work after final week’s observe, there have been different indicators of how the three are leaning on one another. Throughout vast receiver drills at rookie minicamp, Polk took the preliminary repetitions, adopted by Baker. When Baker let a go slip via his palms — which was one of many knocks on him in faculty, as he totaled 14 drops over the previous two seasons — he reached out his proper arm in Polk’s path and the 2 slapped palms as Polk supplied his encouragement.
And as Maye completed an interview with reporters, Polk waited for him to stroll down the steps to the locker room. Earlier than departing the sphere, a smiling Polk flashed his proper index finger towards Maye and stated to reporters, “That is the man proper right here!”
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Patriots WR Ja’Lynn Polk’s prospect profile
Try a number of the prime faculty highlights for brand spanking new Patriots vast receiver Ja’Lynn Polk.
Maye and Polk attended a Boston Bruins playoff recreation collectively, and on the sphere throughout aggressive parts of observe, all three have began to make performs.
“They give the impression of being good,” Maye stated at rookie minicamp. “I threw a pair behind them they usually nonetheless made the catches. These guys are going to be some particular gamers.”
The 6-foot-1, 203-pound Polk performed in 41 video games (30 begins) in faculty — starting at Texas Tech earlier than transferring to Washington — and is coming off a career-best season of 69 catches for 1,159 yards and 9 touchdowns. Baker (6-1, 202 kilos) started his profession at Alabama earlier than transferring to Central Florida, the place over the previous two seasons he had 108 receptions for 1,908 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Department factors to the Bengals’ duo of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase as a shining instance of a gifted quarterback and receiver rising collectively and serving to raise a whole group within the course of.
“The chance is there and these children have the potential,” stated Department, who presently serves as director of participant growth and alumni relations at Louisville. “They simply have to grasp there are going to be some powerful instances and push via it. That is soccer. If that occurs, they’re going to be nice and this may work.”
2. Dungy at observe: Former NFL head coach and present NBC “Soccer Night time in America” analyst Tony Dungy visited Patriots observe on Thursday, addressing the group. Mayo has stated he’s open to varied views as he embarks on his head-coaching profession, and Dungy’s presence is an instance of him performing on that. Dungy additionally has a powerful faith-based reference to Matthew Slater, who’s serving as a right-hand man to Mayo.
3. Attendance excessive: Mayo stated he was happy with the general attendance at voluntary organized group actions, noting that the few gamers who weren’t there — similar to outdoors linebacker Matthew Judon — have been “true professionals” who would know what to do to report in form for coaching camp.
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Veteran defensive sort out Davon Godchaux, who two weeks in the past at an occasion for his charitable basis stated soccer does not actually begin till August, was the opposite projected starter not noticed on the day reporters have been current. Reporters are scheduled to be current at Wednesday’s observe this week.
4. Maye admirer: Depend former ESPN analyst and 14-year NFL QB Matt Hasselbeck amongst those that consider the Patriots obtained it proper with Maye.
“To me, he is so much like Justin Herbert. So if you happen to like Justin Herbert, I believe you will like Drake Maye. And I actually like Justin Herbert,” Hasselbeck stated in an interview.
“I believe his greatest soccer is forward of him. I really like his persona. I really like his demeanor. I really like his toughness. I really like his athleticism. Athleticism can get you in bother generally, and it does not at all times translate from faculty to the NFL, however I believe his athleticism does. I believe, greater than something, I believe I actually just like the individual. He has a contagious factor about him.”
5. Brady night time: Department is trying ahead to June 12 when the Patriots formally induct Brady into their Corridor of Fame as a part of a first-of-its-kind, sold-out ceremony inside Gillette Stadium. He’ll be among the many a whole lot of former gamers readily available, saying he is most trying ahead to the camaraderie.
“There’s nothing like being across the guys that we did phenomenal issues with, and most significantly, simply to offer congratulations to Tom. Celebrating this man. He deserves all of it,” he stated.
6. They stated it: “Final yr [at this time], I used to be most likely at 60%. Proper now I am like 100%, so it is a massive distinction. It is not simple coming off a knee damage having an extended season and coming again [with a quick turnaround the next year]. I really feel nice. I’ve by no means felt higher.” — WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, who enters his second Patriots season and could possibly be combating for a roster spot
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7. Okorafor’s intro: Left sort out is among the main query marks on the Patriots’ roster, and free agent signee Chukwuma Okorafor took the highest repetitions there as OTAs opened final week. Okorafor additionally addressed reporters for the primary time since becoming a member of the group and expressed confidence he’ll fill the void whereas additionally acknowledging “it can take time” for him to regulate.
Think about that of Okorafor’s 4,077 profession snaps in six seasons with the Steelers (together with two playoff video games), solely two got here at left sort out.
8. Mafi at heart: Atonio Mafi, the 2023 fifth-round decide from UCLA, took snaps at heart behind starter David Andrews within the lone organized group exercise open to reporters final week. Mafi transformed from defensive position to offensive line in faculty, beginning 13 video games at left guard and three at proper guard, so his presence within the pivot (along with later working at guard) stood out as a brand new wrinkle beneath first-year line coaches Scott Peters and Robert Kugler. Mafi made 5 begins as a rookie in New England, all at left guard.
9. Dugger distraction: Security Kyle Dugger, who signed a four-year, $58 million contract with $32.5 million assured after being assigned the transition tag within the offseason, acknowledged that compartmentalizing his contract standing was generally simpler stated than finished. It’s a good reminder of how the enterprise aspect of the sport generally bleeds into preparation and on-field play. “Only a reduction,” he relayed. “It is nothing you possibly can fully ignore, as a lot as you attempt to, if I am being trustworthy.”
10. Do you know: The Patriots’ season opener on the Bengals marks the fourth time in franchise historical past they’ll open a season towards Cincinnati. The opposite instances got here in 2010 (a 38-24 house win), 2001 (a 23-17 highway loss) and 1972 (a 31-7 house loss).
