7 Patriots takeaways from Day 2 of training camp

FOXBOROUGH – It’s never going to be perfect, but on the second day of Patriots training camp, it came close for Drake Maye and the offense.

The Patriots quarterback completed the first 14 passes he threw on Thursday. Maye didn’t miss his target until his final attempt was deflected at the line of scrimmage by defensive lineman Jeremiah Pharms.

It was notable that Maye didn’t throw much downfield and instead, relied on taking a profit with shorter, quicker passes. The quarterback completed 14 of 15 passes in competitive team drills. After practice, running back Rhamondre Stevenson said the offense’s focus on Day 2 of camp was first-down plays.

“Just be good on first down – (get) a positive play on first down,” Stevenson said. “Don’t go backwards, pre-snap penalties and things like that. We did alright, but there’s still work to do.”

As noted, it wasn’t perfect for Maye’s unit.

In the first 11-on-11 period, Maye went 4-of-4 with two completions to Stefon Diggs. However, that drive ended when the quarterback fumbled a snap from rookie center Jared Wilson.

As practice went on, the Patriots had some minor issues with offensive linemen leaving early. However, Maye was rarely in trouble during this non-padded practice. In the second period, he completed 5 passes in a row, including two to Stevenson.

In the final 11-on-11 period, Maye scrambled on the first snap to avoid the pass rush and then completed four passes in a row. His passing was nearly perfect before Pharms batted down his final passing attempt at the line of scrimmage.

Stevenson, who joined his teammates in North Carolina this month to practice with Maye, had three catches on Thursday. He said team chemistry is high to start training camp, and their quarterback is the reason.

“It was great. Just the guys getting together a couple of times already. He’s building that chemistry,” Stevenson said. “That’s a big part of building a football team – having chemistry and knowing who you’re fighting with next to. I think we got off to a great start.”

Barmore’s in best shape of his life

Christian Barmore wasn’t a full participant on day 2 of camp, but the Patriots defensive tackle couldn’t be happier to be where he is right now.

After sitting out most of last season due to a scary blood clot diagnosis, Barmore came to training camp in the best shape of his life. The 25-year-old looks notably slimmer and said he’s dropped his weight down to 305 pounds after playing as high as 325 two seasons ago.

Barmore credits the Patriots medical staff, training staff, and his love for the game.

“Really, doing a lot of conditioning, a lot of running, a lot of core work and all that,” Barmore said. “Working hard with (strength) coach Frank (Piraino), too. Had a good plan for me to keep on really having me in the best shape possible. These coaches I have and the medical staff really have good people to help me get in the best possible shape I could be in. I’m really grateful for that.”

On Day 1 of camp, Barmore looked like a full participant and was playing next to Milton Williams in the Patriots’ top defensive unit. On Thursday, he practiced during individual drills, but was seen with Patriots trainer Jim Whalen when the team worked during full-team drills.

Barmore said he was following the team’s plan for him to start camp.

On the field, Barmore’s weight loss has him feeling great. The defensive tackle said this is the fastest he’s ever felt while playing football.

“I feel real better,” Barmore said. “I feel so (much) faster. I feel lighter. I feel way quicker. I feel like I move way better. It’s the best I’ve felt since I’ve been in the league.”

Barmore said he dropped the weight by focusing on core workouts. That included ladder drills, footwork drills, and conditioning drills with hurdles and on a track.

Offensive line shuffles

Considering the Patriots aren’t wearing pads – and can’t wear pads until Monday – it’s hard to gauge how the offensive line is performing.

That being said, veteran players are bullish on the team’s new additions, and that includes rookies Will Campbell and Jared Wilson.

Through two days of camp, the Patriots have started with the same offensive line unit – Will Campbell (left tackle), Cole Strange (left guard), Garrett Bradbury (center), Michael Onwenu (right guard), and Morgan Moses (right tackle).

It’s been noteworthy, however, that Wilson continues to rotate in at center and left guard during competitive team drills. The third-round pick from Georgia missed most of the offseason, but the team wasted no time throwing him into the fire to start training camp.

“Jared is doing good,” Onwenu said. “Smart guy. Tough guy. Really athletic, so I’m excited to see him play.”

The Patriots have also been rotating Demontrey Jacobs in at right tackle with Moses. That situation feels like the team has the 34-year-old Moses on a pitch count. He wasn’t a full participant in OTAs or minicamp.

“I just do what I’m told. Those guys need reps, too,” Moses said. “Obviously, in the trenches, things happen. I think last year they had a lot of injuries on the offensive line. It’s good to get everybody those reps. We’re moving forward and we’re getting what we need. We’re correcting things in the meeting room, and everything is going well.”

Patriots quarterbacks were sacked 52 times last season. That’s why the Patriots signed veterans such as Moses and Bradbury, as well as drafted Campbell and Wilson.

Onwenu and Moses said they’re excited to practice in pads and let their performance do the talking.

“The group has been good,” Onwenu said. “There’s a lot of experience in the room. Really, the young guys, I think they’re really good. Everybody can really play. Everybody has had a good spring, so I’m excited to watch them play.”

Mike Vrabel’s a fan favorite

Before the start of Wednesday’s practice, Mike Vrabel noted that there was an energy inside Gillette Stadium.

That energy can also be felt on the practice field, and the Patriots head coach is a big reason for that. Vrabel is all over the practice field, donning a pinny and practicing with his players.

The Patriots Hall of Famer is also a clear fan favorite. On Thursday, Patriots practice ended around 11:50 a.m. By noon, Vrabel was signing autographs for fans, and was still signing them 30 minutes later..

The Patriots coach was one of the final people on the field as he took selfies and signed dozens of autographs for fans in attendance. By the time he had to leave, Vrabel even apologized to those who weren’t as lucky to get his signature.

Vrabel’s presence gives Patriots training camp a different feel. Players said that’s also the case. For example, he’s been wearing a pinnie with the No. 5, which belongs to Jabrill Peppers.

The veteran safety said he told Vrabel to find a new number.

“I keep telling him to take that 5 off,” Peppers said. “He told me to go check in on the Patriots Hall of Fame. Nothing I could say to come back from that.”

DeMario Douglas ‘pops’

Maye wasn’t the only quarterback to have success on Thursday.

Backup Joshua Dobbs completed 9-of-12 passes. That included a highlight-reel pass to DeMario Douglas, who jumped up and over cornerback Marcellus Dial for the play of the day.

Douglas led all pass catchers with four receptions on Thursday.

Third-string quarterback Ben Wooldridge finished 4-of-5 on Day 2. The undrafted rookie looked sharp.

Kicker competition

The Patriots kicker competition is in full swing. During the spring, rookie Andy Borregales had the clear advantage over Parker Romo.

On Day 2 of camp, the veteran edged the rookie. Romo finished 4-of-4 in field goal attempts while Borregales went 3-of-4, missing his final attempt wide left.

In OTAs and minicamp, Borregales connected on 95% (19-of-20) of his attempts. Romo made 70% (14-of-20) of his kicks in five practices.

Attendance

The Patriots absent list grew a little after the first day of camp.

On Thursday, Carlton Davis wasn’t present at Patriots camp. The veteran cornerback was taken off the non-football injury list on Wednesday to start camp.

With Davis out, Alex Austin and Dial received more reps with the top defensive unit.

The Patriots were also missing defensive lineman Jahvaree Ritzie. Ja’Lynn Polk was once again absent after missing the first day of camp. Mack Hollins, Austin Hooper, and Vederian Lowe remain on the physically unable to perform list. Josh Minkins is still on the non-football injury list.