FOXBORO — For the first 45 minutes, the Patriots laid groundwork.
They glided through basic drills; passing, catching and running against air at the start of their first training camp practice, a 90-minute session under heavy clouds. In one drill, Drake Maye lofted a deep spiral for speedy receiver Jalen Reagor down the left sideline. Reagor, defended by no one, caught the ball in stride and cruised to a would-be touchdown.
Together, they had dipped their toes back into football.
Later, they dove in headfirst.
Maye delivered the first practice highlight of his pro career with a 50-yard touchdown to Reagor during a 7-on-7 period Wednesday capped by a spectacular one-handed catch. It was one of two downfield completions for Maye, who otherwise subsisted on checkdowns and completions to receivers running stop and flat routes. He finished 6-of-10 overall in competitive team periods with one sack and a botched snap.
Akin to the spring, Maye was the second quarterback taking reps after Jacoby Brissett. The veteran stopgap recovered from a woeful interception on his third rep of 11-on-11s and showed the steady hand the Patriots are counting on to guide them through the early part of the season.
Elsewhere, a starting receiver missed team periods, the offensive line moved a key piece, a veteran defensive back notched two pass breakups and good news arrived on the contract front.
Here are the Herald’s complete practice observations.
Absent: None
Limited: WR DeMario Douglas, CB Shaun Wade
Non-contact jersey: N/A
PUP: WR Kendrick Bourne, LB Sione Takitaki, OL Cole Strange, C/G Jake Andrews
Non-Football Injury: RB Antonio Gibson
Notes: Only the players the Patriots placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) and Non-Football Injury (NFI) lists Tuesday were absent Wednesday. Gibson, according to head coach Jerod Mayo, is expected to return “relatively soon.”
As for Douglas, he missed all 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 periods for reasons unknown. He stood between the two practice fields with his hands on his head and stood next to a staffer, then paced down the sideline next to a crowd of defensive teammates. His status moving forward is unclear.
Both Matthew Judon and Davon Godchaux were full participants, despite ongoing contract disputes and the concern one or both might hold in as a protest.
The next step for Maye will be taking these touchdowns to 11-on-11s and against a starting defense (backup corner Azizi Hearn was in coverage against Reagor).
If Maye can do that, he will be a few steps closer to the starting job.
Remember him?
The elder statesman of the Patriots’ secondary was back at full strength after missing a handful of games last season when he failed to grab an interception. It took Jones all of three snaps to force a turnover Wednesday, deflecting a late, cross-field pass from Brissett intended for K.J. Osborn on a broken play. That pass found Kyle Dugger for a pick.
Later, Jones boxed out second-round rookie Ja’Lynn Polk on the sideline for another pass breakup during 7-on-7s.
Note: The passing stats below were tallied during competitive 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 periods only.
Jacoby Brissett: 10-of-13, INT
Drake Maye: 6-of-10 (sack)
Bailey Zappe: 3-of-5
Joe Milton: 3-of-3
Notes: Brissett saved his worst for first, making an ill-advised heave back left across his body and the field on his second dropback of the Pats’ initial team drill, a brief 11-on-11 period.
After that, Brissett looked like the starter he’s been named, sprinkling in safe completions around a pinpoint, 20-yard seam throw to tight end Austin Hooper and wheel-route throw to Rhamondre Stevenson in stride. He finished 5-of-7 in full-team periods, compared to Maye’s 2-of-4 showing. For a full accounting of the quarterbacks’ practice performance, read the Herald’s separate story on Brissett and Maye’s day.
Everything Drake Maye did in his first Patriots training camp practice
Reagor caught both of the Patriots' longest completions in practice and added another catch on a curl route. He also rotated with the returners, which would boost his value to the team and therefore odds of making the 53-man roster.
The sixth-round rookie didn't allow a catch on three targets in team drills, and executed picture-perfect double coverage with safety Jaylinn Hawkins to force a deep incompletion intended for Ja'Lynn Polk. For someone who missed most of the spring due to injury, Dial looked like a seasoned vet who put in extra time.
Tough day for the backup corner. Reagor beat him twice for long completions, both of which would have been touchdowns. Hearn remains a long shot to make the roster, but at least ended the day on a high note breaking up a pass intended for rookie Javon Baker.
His only target in team periods led to Dugger's interception. If Osborn is to start this season, he'll need to show more than he has in every media-accessed practice today.
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