1. MAYE IN NOVEMBER - Another week, another series of positive strides for Drake Maye, the Patriots’ rookie QB who is playing well beyond his time, just five starts into his career.
Maye, all of 22 years young, continues to grow right in front of our eyes as a player, as a competitor and as a leader. In last Sunday’s 19-3 win in Chicago over the Bears, Maye displayed poise and presence throughout the game, whether it was after a mistake (his lone INT was a bad one), the two-minute drill before the end of the half or when the team was driving to effectively end the game.
Maye is evolving from a rookie hurler with hype and hope to a legitimately gifted quarterback that is executing on a number of levels beyond expectation. That’s not to say he’s perfect or needs to be fitted for a gold jacket next to his bronze bust in Canton, but let’s be square: the difference between the Pats offense over the first five games versus the last five is striking, and there’s truly just one reason.
The rookie out of UNC can certainly do it with his arm, but the real difference maker is Maye’s ability to take off under pressure, split seams with vision, using his exceptional speed and agility to gain yards and make first downs. When Jacoby Brissett was the starter, teams were blitzing at the highest rate in the league. Now, with Maye under center, they might want to think otherwise.
Maye entered the NFL with a host of natural athletic abilities, not to mention a high degree of affability and an innate desire to improve (remember that Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf were so impressed pre-draft by Maye’s breakdowns of his losses). He was far from a finished product upon entering the pros, thus it would be the job of his offensive coordinator and staff to work on areas where he needed most improvement, in Maye’s case his footwork, a hitch in his delivery and always taking off under pressure come to mind.
Enter 2024 offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, working in his first year with the Patriots under rookie coach Mayo. Van Pelt was the 12th - yes, TWELFTH - coordinator candidate interviewed by the team. He was not on a lot of other team’s radars and his name wasn’t mentioned much as working in Cleveland for several years before being dismissed last winter, thus when he was hired it was a bit of a surprise. Some thought he was hired thanks to his familiarity with once starter now backup Jacoby Brissett. Others speculated it was thanks to his knowledge of the Browns system that would be implemented here. And then there’s the angle that he was an NFL QB and would be great for developing a raw product like Maye.
Whatever the case, Van Pelt has been a bit of a polarizing figure to date. Maye likes him and has spoken out in favor of his OC, as have several other offensive players who appreciate the efforts Van Pelt undertakes to teach his iteration of the West Coast offense. At his weekly Wednesday media chat, Mayo said of AVP, “There’s no one in this organization who deserves more credit as far as the development of Drake Maye than Alex Van Pelt.” Pretty high praise coming from the first-year HC.
Sure, the play-calling leaves a bit to be desired, and the Pats are hardly this century’s greatest show on field turf, but if the head coach and QB are both fans of the work the OC is doing, then why does a cloud of uncertainty linger over Foxboro?
A report earlier this week from Albert Breer of SI that the Kraft family had been calling around the NFL, seeking advice from sources (who those sources are remains a mystery) as to the best way to groom and develop a young QB. While the owners can do as they please and likely have nothing but the team and QB’s best interests at heart, this does cause a curious face emoji or two to say the least (and that’s not just because of how hilariously offended Bill Belichick would have been had they done this during his tenure).
One might think this something that should be left to the head coach and his staff? Robert Kraft has entrusted his franchise to the 38-year-old first time coach for a number of reasons, or so he’s told us, yet this feels like they are going over his head a bit. Perhaps ownership’s fear of another Mac Jones spiral precipitated this, nothing more or less. Nobody in the front office has come out against Mayo, AVP or any of the people who could be involved in the day to day coaching and development of Maye. They are surely watching the same games and highlights we are. It must be that they just want a second opinion on their prized QB and future of the franchise, who despite being surrounded by lesser talent is helping be the tide that raises all boats.
Or perhaps the Krafts see what many who are disenchanted with Van Pelt’s offense see and want to make sure that Maye is evolving and not just using his hyper athleticism to drive the offense forward.
Advanced numbers show that the Patriots’ passing offense hasn't grown much since the switch from Brissett to Maye, with Maye’s fancy footwork a significant reason the point totals have increased. While Van Pelt and QBs coach TC McCartney could be playing a large role in that aspect of Maye’s game, maybe this is another spot that’s giving ownership pause, or at least making them take a second look at the offense. Of course it would help if the line and receivers improved as well. Their effect on the points and Maye and how AVP’s scheme looks are just as important.
All things told there seems to be good air around the Pats this week. However, nobody’s job is secured and locked beyond this season save for Maye, and probably Mayo. Let’s file this one under the “Keep a good eye on it,” for if the offense evolves and Maye with it, then perhaps false alarm to it all. How the young QB performs, and how he adjusts to the scheme will say a lot about how far the team can go and how people feel about “Candidate 12” and his work with Maye and the team overall.
2. THE OC - Speaking of OCs or those who almost were in New England, the Los Angeles Rams coming to town brings about a bit of a reunion with former Patriots tight ends coach Nick Caley, now entering his second year as the Rams tight ends coach and first as their passing game coordinator. Caley was well regarded in his time in New England, getting the endorsement even of legendary offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia to be the next offensive coordinator when Josh McDaniels departed after the 2021 season (we all know who Belichick tabbed and how that went). Passed over, Caley fulfilled his duties and then departed at the end of that tumultuous 2022 season for Los Angeles to be a part of the coveted Sean McVay coaching tree.
When the Belichick era ended and 2023 OC Bill O’Brien left town for Ohio State then Boston College, the Pats were in need of a new play caller, thus they contacted Caley, seemingly to right the wrong of his being glossed over a ways back. By all accounts things went well and before “Candidate 12” was hired an offer was extended to the Pats former tight ends coach, a significant offer no less. A reunion seemed at hand…and yet Caley turned it down, eschewing a return to Foxboro to remain in Los Angeles. Why?
Apparently Caley’s first year in LA was so positive the chance to make more money and get a promotion wasn’t enough to pull him away from the west coast. You’d have to think that the way 2022 went in Foxboro, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding Jerod Mayo’s first year as HC of the NEP made the thought of a Pats reunion a tad less appetizing for Caley. Now he gets a chance to improve his resume and continue to season himself as a play caller working with McVay, which could very well make him a candidate of offensive interest come this offseason.
Caley is still very well regarded in New England. Just ask Hunter Henry, who said this week, “Caley’s one of my favorite coaches I’ve ever had.”
The Rams, when healthy, always have a potent passing attack with Matt Stafford at QB and their fleet of star receivers. Caley’s involvement will add an extra layer of intrigue on Sunday in what should be a fascinating matchup as the Pats coaching staff knows Caley well.
3. YOU RAISE ME UP - You can’t ask for much more out of a football teammate than for them to lift you up, to help you elevate your game, perhaps even picking you up when your game is slipping. But now the Patriots actually count teammates picking each other up as a stat, something that showcases this group’s togetherness and team spirit.
That’s right, these Patriots are going old school AND new school with this stat: pickups. The team values this “culture metric” so much that they’ve been keeping track of who helps who up off the ground after a play.
This is a great sign of the atmosphere and team-centric togetherness that coaches like Jerod Mayo and Alex Van Pelt have been cultivating in New England. This may not show up on any website with a paywall or any highlight video package on TV, but it does matter as far as unifying a front in such a violent sport as football.
Said Van Pelt this week of this extra effort to assist teammates, “There's nothing that frustrates me more than watching guys not pick each other up off the ground. We ask these guys to be great teammates, run to the football, and when you run to the ball, good things happen. And then, while you're there, let's get our guys off the ground.”
Again, the play calling and scoring schematics may still need time, and talent. But you can’t argue the effort, heart and will of this team, and that comes from the top down. Another nice feather in the cap of “Candidate 12” on offense.
4. RECEIVER BELIEVER - Just asking - does anyone know what’s up with the Pats wide receiver room and rotation? Honestly, it’s a bit baffling at times. Coming off of a trade deadline where several veterans were candidates to be dealt away for draft picks, and nobody was, the team has a glut of second and third tier receivers to contend with. From the rookies to the vets the room is crowded, not as dynamic as you’d hope and finds players starting then sitting almost with no rationale.
Take the curious case of Kendrick Bourne, who last week was told the team was going to play the younger receivers more to get them valuable reps. Bourne, as high a character and energy guy as you’ll find, takes it in stride like a consummate pro, only to see veteran KJ Osborn log more playing time in Chicago. While it seems confusing, this week Jerod Mayo qualified the move, saying, “He’s a driven individual, and he’s a very good player. Just have to get him going.” translation: the Pats are expecting more than eight catches for 70 yards through five games from someone who received a three year $19.5 million extension this offseason, ACL recovery or not.
OK, so Bourne got a one-week benching, and is now expected, as OC AVP said this week, to be a big part of the offense going forward…though Kayshon Boutte (who AVP calls the team’s most consistent wide receiver), DeMario Douglas and Ja’Lynn Polk are the first three receivers he mentioned this week. Javon Baker still hasn’t really cracked the lineup, and Tyquan Thornton, who was a healthy scratch last week and missed practice Thursday for personal reasons, was released on Saturday.
Boiling it all down…Boutte, Pop and Polk will, when healthy, be the primary trio of receivers. After that it seems reps, spots and opps will be earned not given, whether you’re new in town or have been around for a while. Boutte, who almost was banished from football and was a potential cut candidate this summer, definitely seems the tops on the depth chart, with Pop Douglas slowly blossoming into a thing (30 catches through 10 games, five with Maye, is not too shabby.) Let’s hope a third receiver, be it Bourne, Polk or another, takes the next step to give Maye a dependable target outside Pop, Boutte and Hunter Henry.
On the tight end front…while we’re not likely to see a large target share for rookie seventh round tight end Jaheim Bell anytime soon, it is nice to see his snap count slowly ticking up, with quality trench football plays found on tape. This is how you earn your time and reps in the NFL.
5. STARTING FIVE - It’s been nice to take a break from grousing about the offensive line for a few weeks. No, they’re not a top 10 unit by any stretch (some even rank them dead last, but to each his own), and even OC Alex Van Pelt admitted the Pats have not been able to do as much as they’ve wanted on offense this year because of a lack of consistency up front. However, sometimes we need to focus on the simple things, like continuity, as consistency and quality of play develop. And for this ragtag hodgepodge Pats offensive line, just being together consistently is a great start.
Chemistry is definitely developed in repetition, and it’s also fostered by things like spirit, which this group seems to have in abundance. As MassLive’s Chris Mason detailed this week, the Pats O-line has a Monday night dinner club (which Drake Maye crashed after last week’s big win in Chicago). Said right tackle Demontrey Jacobs, the goal is to, “Get to know each other better. I feel like that just helps us play better, the more we get to know each other and become acquainted with each other as human beings.”
What a novel idea: personal interactions and good old fashioned meat-and-potatoes team bonding. You love to see it.
Starting the same five guys on consecutive weeks is a step in the right direction for a group where two guys weren’t on the roster when camp broke and another was on the practice squad. Yet here are Vederian Lowe, Michael Jordan, Ben Brown, Mike Onwenu and Jacobs trying to forge a bond and develop camaraderie to improve play. Let's hope they continue with good health and their tradition as they’ll need it Sunday against a very good Rams defensive front that OC Alex Van Pelt complimented highly, saying, "The front is special. A group of young, talented players.” The Rams lead the NFL with seven strip sacks and six recovered fumbles. Let’s hope continually improving pass protection was on the menu for the boys last Monday night.
6. HEALTH WATCH: The Patriots injury report this week wasn’t as long as we’ve gotten used to this season, another positive to take in a season where anything good is taken in stride. And while it will be a welcome sight to potentially see safety Kyle Dugger return to action after three missed games with an ankle injury, the biggest name and literally biggest addition came on the defensive side, providing an emotional boost for all and potentially an on field boost soon, too.
Christian Barmore, sidelined since the summer with a blood clot issue, returned to the practice field Thursday much to the delight of all in Pats Nation. Shortly after inking a four-year, $92 million deal Barmore, entering his fourth season in the NFL, was placed on the NFI (Non-Football Injury) List, where he remained until this week. Coach Jerod Mayo has been hinting that Barmore was doing well in rehab and inching closer and closer to a return. Still, the news from Ian Rapoport Thursday morning was received with universal joy as his condition was very serious. This represents tremendous work by the player, team, their training and medical staff.
The news Saturday that Barmore is expected to play Sunday was even more exciting. This could be a delicate re-entry where the team ramps him up slowly in a return to game shape and Sunday action. However, Mayo said there’s actually a chance Barmore sees the field this week against the Rams.
What a boost having Barmore back at practice has been, let alone what it will mean to have him on the field again. When healthy he is one of the more disruptive defensive tackles in the game.
7 NTKs - And as always, last but not least, we give you your need to knows, those little notes, nuggets and other such to make for the most informed broadcast and game day possible.
SPREAD: The Rams, fresh off a 23-15 home loss to the Miami Dolphins, enter the game a five-point favorite with an over/under of 44 at Gillette Stadium.
ALL-TIME: In 15 contests between the LA/St. Louis Rams, the Patriots lead the all-time series 9-6. Two of those wins came on the biggest stage, bookending the Patriots dynasty. First it was a Super Bowl 36 win against Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk and the then St. Louis Rams and their “Greatest Show on Turf” in February of 2002. Some 17 years later, Tom Brady and company would get their last Super Bowl win (but not his) in Atlanta against Sean McVay’s LA Rams, then led by QB Jared Goff, 13-3. The Pats will also be looking to remain unbeaten against the Rams at Gillette Stadium, where they hold a 2-0 record.
WEATHER: Well what a lovely day it looks like at the old football field in Foxborough! Temps in the low 60’s, slightly breezy, but otherwise mild and delightful.
BROADCAST: The game will, once again, be on FOX (Ch. 25) locally, kickoff of 1 p.m. EST with a broadcast team of Adam Amin & Mark Sanchez (who was solid in his last Pats broadcast), with Kristina Pink providing sideline coverage.