The New England Patriots held their first practice of mandatory minicamp on Monday, and WEEI Afternoons’ Ted Johnson caught up with Pats head coach Mike Vrabel, his friend and former teammate, for a 1-on-1 afterwards to discuss a range of topics.
Of course, one of the most popular players is second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who has looked better in recent media viewings after a rough start to voluntary OTAs. Vrabel said Maye is showing “gradual progression.”
“I think good,” Vrabel said of Maye’s progression. “I think it's a gradual progression. Things aren't going to happen overnight. It's a new system, and so he's learning as he goes, and there's new things to him as he goes.”
Vrabel also touched on what Maye still needs to improve, including the ability to quickly turn the page on a play instead of dwelling on it.
“I think the biggest thing for him is, he is his biggest critic, and I've just tried to explain to him that we have to run the play,” Vrabel said. “We have to make a decision. Make a great decision, and then transfer it to the next play. Sometimes he wants to probably carry things a little longer. I think that that's just the competitor in all of us.”
Vrabel also discussed Stefon Diggs’ presence in the wide receiver room, cornerback Christian Gonzalez putting on some muscle, and the leadership that linebacker Robert Spillane brings to the defense. Listen to the full interview above.