5 largest takeaways from Day 4 of Patriots coaching camp

[ad_1] After an uneventful Day 3 of coaching camp, the New England Patriots ramped up the depth at Saturday's observe.

Issues obtained notably extra aggressive within the crew drills, the place the offense opened up extra within the passing recreation. That led to a number of spotlight reel performs that left followers roaring from the stands.

Nevertheless it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows.

The offense took a step again for varied causes on this session, together with struggles alongside the offensive line. Cross safety was a significant weak spot for the crew final season as properly. It is one thing that they nonetheless have time to wash up earlier than the season begins, however the clock is ticking with the primary preseason recreation lower than two weeks away.

Right here is the attendance report from Day 4 of coaching camp:

It is essential to notice that offensive sort out Morgan Moses and operating again Rhamondre Stevenson did find yourself exhibiting up and taking part in observe later.

Let's dive into the largest takeaways from this observe.

Protection wins the day The offense was much less environment friendly towards the protection in the course of the aggressive crew interval on Day 4. Quarterback Drake Maye missed some throws, and the offensive line struggled to offer satisfactory safety up entrance.

It has been onerous for the protection to face out in non-padded practices, however Saturday's session was a win for the unit.

All-Professional cornerback Christian Gonzalez has remained robust to throw towards, and edge rusher Keion White is starting to make a house for himself within the offensive backfield. White had two would-be sacks, and defensive sort out Milton Williams, who was the Patriots' large acquisition in free company, had one sack in observe.

The protection is proving to be a disruptive unit that might serve up actual punishment when the pads come on.

Play of the camp...to date Maye was below stress all through the observe with the offensive line struggling (we'll get to that later). Nevertheless, on one play, he went off script and scrambled away simply sufficient to uncork a 50-yard bomb landing cross to Demario Douglas.

It's already being referred to as one of the best play to date on the Patriots' coaching camp.

Maye's means to go off script was evident all through his rookie season, however there have been performs the place it might need been higher for him to maintain his eyes downfield for a receiver to come back open, as a substitute of taking off and operating each time.

This was a play that confirmed Maye is bettering in that facet of his recreation. It ought to make him a much more harmful and unpredictable quarterback to defend towards. This was legitimately a Josh Allen-esque play by the second-year quarterback.

Demario Douglas is a 2025 breakout candidate For the entire speak of potential breakout candidates, Patriots extensive receiver Demario Douglas' title has fallen below the radar. Which may not be the case after the unbelievable observe session he had on Saturday.

He linked with Maye for the play of the camp on a 50-yard bomb, and he additionally went over cornerback Marcus Jones on the excessive level to snag a reception. The Maye and Douglas connection is clearly rising on the soccer area.

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has an extended historical past of turning slot receivers into stars, and he seems to be to be on the verge of doing the identical with Douglas, a former sixth-round choose who was an apparent steal within the 2023 NFL draft.

He is fearless and an distinctive route runner who will get open. Extra importantly, he is enjoying with extra physicality and attacking the ball in tight protection.

Offensive line woes proceed to be a priority The offensive line safety might be kryptonite if Drake Maye morphs into Superman in 12 months 2. It hasn't been a fantastic begin to coaching camp for the unit, and people points have been magnified on Saturday with them giving up 5 would-be sacks.

What the Patriots don't desire is Maye operating for his life on each play and taking pointless punishment within the pocket. That is a quick strategy to get a quarterback damage on this league.

Jared Wilson obtained in depth work at each guard positions and middle throughout Saturday's observe. If something, it reveals that the teaching employees views him favorably, and they're doing no matter they will to get him concerned on offense.

Caedan Wallace, a second-year offensive sort out, was as soon as once more working in at left guard. All the motion alongside the offensive entrance is a reminder that the Patriots have not discovered their top-five mixture. The offensive line remains to be a piece in progress.

We are going to get the clearest image but of the place they stand when the crew practices in pads for the primary time on Monday.

Javon Baker reveals up, nonetheless no signal of Ja'Lynn Polk Earlier than Maye's landing connection to Douglas, Javon Baker had the play-of-the-day on a 60-yard landing reception in seven-on-seven drills. The second-year extensive receiver beat veteran security Jaylinn Hawkins on a double transfer and hauled in a simple landing cross for the offense.

Baker has been seen as a bubble participant, and he desperately wants extra performs like this to safe his spot on the 53-man roster. He's a gifted deep menace receiver, however the consistency hasn't been there sufficient on the observe area.

Maybe this play provides to his confidence and at last will get him transferring in the best course.

The most important query mark proper now's with the Patriots' 2024 second-round choose, Ja'Lynn Polk, who missed a fourth coaching camp observe on Saturday.

ESPN's Mike Reiss famous that Polk was coping with some "minor muscle tightness" after initially passing his bodily. Nevertheless, day-after-day missed on the observe area is one much less alternative for Polk to show himself to the teaching employees.

There are at present 12 receivers on the Patriots' roster, they usually must make robust choices to get that quantity right down to probably six or seven gamers. It was already going to be an uphill battle for Polk, however the activity seems to be rising extra daunting by the minute.