Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has promised extra taking part in time for Drake Maye in Week 2 of the preseason.
We’ll discover out Thursday at 7 p.m. if Mayo delivers.
Maye’s taking part in time is one in all our storylines to look at towards the Eagles.
1. Drake Maye’s taking part in time
The rookie quarterback solely performed six snaps within the preseason opener final Thursday towards the Panthers, and Mayo by no means actually totally defined why besides to say that it was the plan all alongside and that offensive line might need performed a task within the determination.
Maye threw 18 passes in group drills throughout Tuesday’s joint observe with the Eagles and made one other 15 throws in 1-on-1s. Reserves Bailey Zappe and Joe Milton III barely acquired any work on Tuesday, so it wouldn’t be shocking in the event that they nonetheless noticed motion Thursday.
Since Maye has but to take a first-team rep throughout coaching camp, it’s essential to see as a lot of him as potential within the remaining two preseason video games. Maye’s recreation doesn’t completely translate to observe, since he could make performs together with his legs and on unstructured performs.
One would think about {that a} strong efficiency from Maye towards a group just like the Eagles, who’re anticipated to be contenders in 2024, would earn Maye a number of reps with the 1s subsequent week in observe. Up to now, it hasn’t seemed like an precise quarterback competitors between Brissett and Maye. If something it resembles the sham quarterback battle between Mac Jones and Zappe final summer time when Jones acquired the entire first-team reps, whereas Zappe was relegated to backup responsibility.
The Patriots don’t need to rush Maye, and so they’ve taken a conservative strategy with the rookie. However with lower than a month to go till Week 1, now may be an excellent time to unleash him and see if he’ll be able to play this season.
2. Offensive line combos
The Patriots appear pretty content material with Vederian Lowe at left sort out, Sidy Sow at left guard, David Andrews at middle, Mike Onwenu at proper guard and Chukwuma Okorafor. That’s been the beginning offensive line now for weeks. Nick Leverett additionally stuffed in for Andrews throughout Tuesday’s observe, leaving Atonio Mafi as Maye’s middle.
However possibly Tuesday’s observe was a wake-up name. Patriots quarterbacks have been “sacked” 11 occasions on 44 dropbacks. That was behind Lowe, Sow, Andrews/Leverett, Onwenu and Okorafor with the highest unit and Calvin Anderson, Michael Jordan, Leverett/Mafi, Layden Robinson and third-round choose Caedan Wallace with the backups.
Perhaps a preseason recreation isn’t the very best time to begin experimenting, however it might make sense to see how the road appears with Okorafor or Wallace at left sort out, Onwenu at proper sort out and Robinson, Leverett or Jordan at proper guard.
It’s simpler to accept a beginning guard than a beginning sort out. The true concern is that the Patriots don’t have a super choice at left sort out. Wallace, Okorafor and Onwenu are all extra snug on the suitable facet.
3. Beginning extensive receivers
Final week, the Patriots opened in 12 personnel with Tyquan Thornton and Okay.J. Osborn because the beginning extensive receivers, paired with Austin Hooper and Mitchell Wilcox at tight finish and Rhamondre Stevenson at working again. JuJu Smith-Schuster, who was waived the subsequent day, was the third extensive receiver and high slot.
DeMario Douglas has since shed his purple non-contact jersey, so he needs to be good to go for Thursday’s recreation. We’d prefer to see 2024 second-round choose Ja’Lynn Polk as one of many different starters. He’s earned it as essentially the most constant exterior choice in observe.
As for the third receiver, Thornton, Osborn, Jalen Reagor and Javon Baker have all made instances for the position in coaching camp. Baker supplies the best ceiling however continues to be inconsistent. Osborn is essentially the most versatile, whereas Thornton and Reagor are explosive.
4. How a lot will Eagles check Patriots?
The Panthers benched their starters Week 1 of the preseason, which made standout performances from gamers like defensive sort out Jeremiah Pharms Jr. and Oshane Ximines tough to gauge.
In a super world, the Eagles would trot out their starters so the Patriots can get a real evaluation of their expertise heading into the third and ultimate recreation of the preseason.
5. Who’s in, who’s out?
It’s a brand new period in New England with Mayo as head coach, so it’s harder to foretell how he handles preseason motion. Final week, for instance, it was a significant shock to see Okorafor beginning at proper sort out since he had sat out practices main as much as the sport.
Cornerbacks Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones and Shaun Wade wore pads to observe Tuesday however didn’t take part towards the Eagles. Prior to now, beneath Invoice Belichick, that may nearly definitely imply they might not play two days later in a preseason recreation. Underneath Mayo, it’s much less of a assure.
A participant like Marcus Jones, who performed simply two video games final summer time, was restricted within the spring and hasn’t practiced for 12 days, wants snaps within the beginning protection, if that’s the place he’ll be Week 1.
6. Defensive sort out reps
It was notable to see Armon Watts getting snaps late within the fourth quarter towards the Panthers. Christian Barmore’s standing is unknown after he was identified with blood clots, so defensive sort out depth issues behind Davon Godchaux and Daniel Ekuale.
Pharms, Watts, Mike Purcell, Trysten Hill, Josiah Bronson and Sam Roberts are competing for 2 or three extra spots on the roster. Watts as soon as seemed like a near-lock, however he’ll need to beat out his competitors.
7. Kicking rotation
Kickers Chad Ryland and Joey Slye break up duties Thursday, and there have been no miscues. Slye hit a 42-yard area purpose, Ryland made two additional factors, and kickoffs went off with no hitch.
If the Patriots have the chance to kick a area purpose towards the Eagles, it might make sense to offer Ryland his shot.
Slye and Ryland have been very even in coaching camp to this point.
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