Mayo put that idea into action on Sunday, the Patriots’ first day back on the practice field in three days. Although they have four quarterbacks on the roster, only two were able to participate, as starters Jacoby Brissett and Maye each got 26 reps in 11-on-11 drills, while Bailey Zappe got just three and Joe Milton got just two.
Working exclusively with the backup offensive line, Maye had plenty of work to do in the up-tempo offense on Sunday, including on a drive at the end of practice when Maye took over with 1:21 left and put the Patriots in field goal range with 4 seconds left, with Joey Slye making the 55-yard field goal.
But overall, it was another mixed day for Maye – certainly not exciting for the few thousand season ticket holders watching practice. Maye once again showed that he’s at his best when he’s throwing on the run, throwing the ball really nicely across his body to Ja’Lynn Polk for about 10 yards down the left sideline. Later in team drills, Maye dodged a slot corner blitz well, stepped up and threw.
But this play was an example of the ups and downs in Maye’s camp. Although Maye did a good job of evading the blitz, Maye’s throw was intercepted at the line of scrimmage and picked off by rookie safety Dell Pettus. On the next series, Maye’s pass, listed at 6’4″, was again intercepted at the line and this one was picked off by defensive tackle Armon Watts. It’s hard to say whether the intercepted passes were Maye’s fault or the backup offensive line’s fault.
This is a big week for Maye, with a joint practice against the Eagles on Tuesday and a preseason game on Thursday. Maye will have a lot of work to do and all eyes will be on him to see if he can make better use of his opportunities.
2. KJ Osborn is what JuJu Smith-Schuster should be. Mayo said Sunday that the Patriots released Smith-Schuster so the younger receivers could get more workouts in. While that will almost certainly be the case, the real reason the Patriots had no problem releasing Smith-Schuster is because Osborn, who signed a one-year deal after four years in Minnesota, will fill the role that Smith-Schuster originally filled.
Osborn is 6’1″ and 200 pounds. He has been consistently successful over the last three years in Minnesota, catching between 48 and 60 balls each year and totaling 500 to 655 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has been the Patriots’ most consistent receiver this training camp and should be a physical presence in the slot. On Sunday, he caught a nice touchdown from Brissett in the corner of the end zone on a QB rollout.
3. The soccer competition is getting tougher. Joey Slye got the first chance of the game, kicking a 42-yard field goal on Thursday night. And on Sunday, he was one step ahead of Chad Ryland. Not only did Slye kick a 55-yard field goal with the final siren to cap off a 2-minute drill, but he also made 3 of 4 shots at the end of practice, hitting from 37, 45 and 50 yards while Patriots players and coaches mobbed him, waving their arms and screaming in his face. His only miss came from 50 yards.
Ryland, on the other hand, made just 2 of 4 shots in the same drill and missed twice from the 50 mark. The Patriots probably want Ryland, who was drafted in the fourth round last year, to get the job, but he has to give them a reason to do so.
Ben Volin can be reached at [email protected].
