Mike Vrabel sounds disappointed by Stefon Diggs’ lack of time at OTAs
Stefon Diggs was present and enthusiastic during both days of minicamp, but when head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about the wide receiver’s “dedication” to the team before Tuesday’s practice, he notably pointed out the time he missed from voluntary organized team activities earlier this spring:
“I think this goes without saying that we would love every player to be here during the voluntary portion of the offseason. I think that we can all agree on that. That doesn't always happen for multiple reasons. I would say that in his time here that I've been able to be around him and our coaches, I think he's learning. I think he's rehabbing. He's one of those players that's on a different plan, so he's going back and forth from different tempos to rehab.”
That’s far from a ringing endorsement, but the Patriots need Diggs to assume the No. 1 receiver spot in Josh McDaniels’ offense. He looks on pace to be a participant in Week 1.
Diggs is fine with the wide receivers staying “under the radar”
Diggs held court with the media after practice in the field house. A large crowd of press peppered him with questions ranging from his viral boat video (he deferred to keep conversations about that in-house) to outside perspective that the Patriots receivers are, once again, below average. Diggs was fine with those expectations:
“I would hope that everyone would think that we’re terrible. We fly under the radar, we hide in the bushes. To your (Tom E. Curran’s earlier) note about being a wide receiver drafted late in the fifth round, they surprise people when they surprise people. [You] go into each and every day and work extremely hard. Earn everything that you get. You kind of want to lie in the bushes. You want to stay under the radar, because obviously, your standard should be the highest. You should hold yourself accountable.”
The wide receiver spoke for about ten minutes and worked tirelessly throughout Tuesday’s practice.
Defense wins the day
Things got janky for Josh McDaniels’ offense when they were forced indoors. Rookie Will Campbell committed a false start and the offense messed up a substitution during 11 vs. 11 competitive drills. Christian Gonzalez easily picked off a shot from Drake Maye to Kyle Williams on the perimeter – the cornerback never even broke stride. Rhamondre Stevenson skipped another pass from Maye off his fingertips, and Maye completely overthrew Hunter Henry in the endzone. Cornerback Marcus Jones also battled Williams for a 50/50 ball on a goal line fade from backup QB Josh Dobbs. The defense looked strong and gained momentum as practice went on. Henry and Pop Douglas had two of the offense’s best plays of the day, including a one-handed grab from the tight end.
Terrell Williams expected back “soon”
Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams remained absent from minicamp as he recovers from an undisclosed health issue. Williams has worked remotely with the team, and Vrabel said he’s doing better. “He'll be here soon and excited about that, so I think everybody's looking forward to that,” he said, before practice.
Responsibility now falls on individuals
There are five long weeks before the Patriots return to Foxboro in any official capacity for the start of training camp on Wednesday, July 23. Vrabel clarified the break isn’t “downtime,” but rather, “time away from the facility:
“It's probably the five most important weeks of the offseason as far as I'm concerned, just in my history as a player and a coach. It's critical that they come back in shape, that they're ready to go for training camp, that we're prepared as coaches with the schedule, the installation and what we're doing. The players have to hold up their end of the bargain to prepare for training camp.”
It will be a busy few weeks for Maye, who announced to media Monday he’s getting married over the break.