Jerod Mayo’s Take on Rookie QB Drake Maye’s Energy

Jerod Mayo, the first-year coach of the Patriots, drew parallels between rookie quarterback Drake Maye and Rob Gronkowski during a post-game discussion following Maye’s first NFL start. Mayo’s comparison was based on Maye’s positive demeanor and mindset, reminiscent of Gronkowski’s arrival at the Patriots in 2010. Gronkowski, a 21-year-old from the University of Arizona, was a beacon of light in the Patriots’ purpose-driven locker room.

Mayo, in his weekly radio interview on WEEI, acknowledged that while Maye doesn’t exactly embody “Gronk-ish” traits, his youthful energy is a welcomed addition to the team.

A Fresh Wave of Energy in the Patriots’ Camp

The Patriots, who are battling a five-game losing streak, are set to face the Jaguars on Sunday at London’s Wembley Stadium (9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network). The team welcomes Maye’s fresh burst of energy.

Alex Van Pelt, the offensive coordinator, appreciates Maye’s youthful spirit, comparing him to his own daughters, aged 22 and 25. According to Van Pelt, Maye has a professional approach to his work, which aligns him with Gronkowski, whose strong work ethic often went unnoticed due to his playful personality.

Drake Maye’s Integration into the Team

Veteran tight end Hunter Henry, now in his ninth NFL season, commends Maye’s smooth integration within the team, initially as a backup to 31-year-old Jacoby Brissett.

Henry praised Maye’s great locker room presence and positive attitude, claiming that they will help foster stronger relationships within the team. According to Maye, he has strived to maintain his approach since becoming a starter, with the biggest change being the need to assert his presence in the huddle while simultaneously earning the respect of team captains.

The Inner Workings of a Young NFL Quarterback and a Team’s Fight to Improve

Journey of a Budding NFL Leader

We witnessed his growth behind the curtain. “He’s a born leader,” came the praise. “He’s an excellent learner and a highly intellectual individual who can pose insightful queries during team meetings. He embodies everything you would hope for in a young quarterback.

The opportunity to observe Jacoby’s preparation process during the initial five weeks significantly contributed to his development. He gained insight into the professional quarterback room’s operation, including the necessary inquiries, weekly observations, and comments. This experience has enriched his knowledge of conducting meetings and asking the right questions. His method has been truly impressive.”

Onwenu’s Self-assessment and Improvement Path

Patriots’ offensive lineman Mike Onwenu, who landed a three-year, $57 million contract in the preceding offseason, delivered a candid evaluation of his performance during the team’s 1-5 start. He admitted the need for improvement. Onwenu disclosed that he aims to enhance his hand usage and speed up his engagement with defenders, preventing them from reaching his chest plate first.

Among 166 considered offensive linemen, Onwenu stands at 160th in pass block winning rate (81.1%) and 128th out of 163 in run block winning rate (67.4%). The fluctuating performance can be partially attributed to the changes around him, with the Patriots using six different offensive line combinations in the first six games and Onwenu moving between right tackle and right guard. However, Onwenu, who hasn’t missed a play this season, refuses to use this as an excuse. He praised ex-Patriot Joe Thuney for his unwavering performance irrespective of his position or the team’s situation, a standard Onwenu aspires to meet.

Managing Injuries and Participations

Treatment of Maye’s knee injury: Maye was listed on the injury report Wednesday due to his knee, but Mayo and he confirmed that he has been a full participant in practices over the past week. Maye, who arrived in London on Friday, avoided inquiries from journalists about the timing of his injury and its possible connection with last Sunday’s defeat to the Texans or Wednesday’s practice. He was sacked four times last week and recorded eight hits. However, he was taken off the injury report by Friday evening. “We prefer not to disclose injury details to the media,” Maye stated.

In other injury-related news, Patriots’ running back Rhamondre Stevenson fully participated in Friday’s practice and indicated that he is on track to play in the team’s match against the Jaguars. “I’m in good shape at the moment. I needed a few days off, but I feel ready to play on Sunday,” he said.

Stevenson’s Foot Injury: Speculation and Team Updates

“It’s hard to say if Stevenson will be ready for Sunday,” a team insider stated after a recent practice session. Stevenson’s ongoing battle with a foot injury has placed his status in a questionable position.

Stevenson’s Fantasy Prospects with Maye as QB

Field Yates offers an analysis of Rhamondre Stevenson’s fantasy potential with the Patriots’ Drake Maye as the quarterback.

A Historic Practice Session at Harrow School

Upon arrival in London, the Patriots held their practice in a location steeped in history – Harrow School, a boarding school established back in 1572. Deatrich Wise Jr., the experienced defensive lineman, shared that during the bus ride to practice, teammates were discussing the school’s renowned alumnus, Sir Winston Churchill. En route to the practice field, visitors traverse “Football Lane”, and the school’s prominent sport, rugby, is practiced. The school’s campus also served as a filming location for a scene from the “Harry Potter” movie, a fact pointed out by Mayo.

The Dilemma of the Patriots’ Kickoff Return Unit

Mayo expressed dissatisfaction with the Patriots’ kickoff return unit’s performance in their last week’s defeat, where Houston managed to return six kickoffs, and JaMycal Hasty, the chief returner, averaged a mere 23.8 yards per kick return due to poor blocking. Mayo lamented, “We just didn’t show up in that phase of the game.”

Why Not Consider Marcus Jones?

A question that persists is why the Patriots would not utilize third-year professional Marcus Jones in the role, considering he was their key returner in 2022 before being sidelined due to injury for most of the previous season. Jeremy Springer, the team’s special teams coordinator, might consider other candidates like running back Antonio Gibson and receiver Ja’Lynn Polk for the upcoming Sunday’s game.

The New Kickoff Rules

Springer shared his perspective on the new kickoff rules, “We’re looking for players who can quickly move downhill. There’s not much room for maneuvering. Marcus Jones is an exceptional returner, but returners are taking heavy hits in the league. We need someone who can take a hit and continue moving straight downhill, not someone who will be dodging like in punt returns. Essentially, we’re looking for bigger bodies.”

The Penalty Issue

The Patriots, who were the least penalized team in the NFL during the first four games of the season, have seen a surge in their penalty count over the past two games. Mayo attributed the penalties to a lack of focus and technique, insisting that the team needs to return to their early season form.

Lineup Changes and Elliss’ Opportunity

Mayo hinted at “lineup changes” this week, and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington suggested that third-year linebacker Christian Elliss might get more playing time during early downs. Up until now, Elliss has primarily contributed on special teams.

Player Highlights and NFL Updates

Elliss’s Promising Rise in Defense

Currently tied for third in the NFL, Elliss has seen an increase in his defense playtime, particularly in passing situations. After initially playing just six snaps across the first trio of games, he has now racked up 63 in the last three. If Elliss steps into a more significant role this Sunday, veteran Raekwon McMillan might see a decrease in playtime. McMillan seemed to be out of alignment during two lengthy runs in the previous loss to the Texans. Covington likened this scenario to last year when ex-Patriots linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. began to gradually expand his role.

Jacoby & Shaq: A Gesture of Respect

Brissett, who recently added a new item to his locker at Gillette Stadium, said it holds great significance to him. It is none other than Shaq Mason’s white jersey from the Houston Texans. After the most recent Patriots-Texans game, Brissett asked Mason for his jersey, which was promptly given to him. In return, Brissett gifted his retro red Patriots jersey to Mason.

“I relied heavily on him when I first joined [in 2016] and spent considerable time with him,” Brissett commented about Mason, the Patriots’ fourth-round pick in 2015. “I’m thrilled to see how his career has progressed. He’s earned all his achievements. It was our first time playing against each other, and we had the opportunity to exchange jerseys.”

Words of Praise for Kayshon Boutte

“He wasn’t someone we were initially focused on. However, we didn’t see him as a starting player early in the camp. His approach to practice made a significant difference. He worked hard for both [the offense] and the scout team. His positive attitude earned him his place on the field. I’m incredibly proud of his perseverance. We initially put pressure on him, and he responded positively,” Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt commented on Kayshon Boutte. Boutte, who scored a 40-yard TD last week, is emerging as one of the team’s leading receivers.

Did You Know?

The Patriots will face their largest crowd this season on Sunday when they play against the Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. The stadium capacity is 86,857, exceeding the Patriots’ home games held at Gillette Stadium with a capacity of 64,628. So far, the road games have taken place at various stadiums, including the Bengals’ Paycor Stadium (65,515), the Jets’ MetLife Stadium (82,500), and 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium (68,500). Future games are scheduled at the Titans’ Nissan Stadium (69,143), Bears’ Soldier Field (61,500), Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium (64,767), Cardinals’ State Farm Stadium (65,000), and the Bills’ Highmark Stadium (71,621).