New England Patriots
Drake Maye and A.J. Brown’s connection continues to grow, a familiar face returns, and a rookie linebacker gets a new opportunity.
Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, and A.J. Brown Photo by: Barry Chin/Globe Staff
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Fenway Park ranked No. 3 in a new MLB stadium ranking. Yankee Stadium? No. 18.
FOXBOROUGH – Those long awaited fireworks from the Drake Maye- A.J. Brown connection finally appeared on Monday when the pair connected on a deep ball that looked to be from about 70 yards out.
Maye completed 15 of his 17 passing attempts, and he hit Brown in stride on the deep ball. The third-year quarterback had a strong day and Brown was a big part of it.
Christian Gonzalez remained out, but Christian Barmore returned in a limited capacity.
A pair of rookies worked in with the first team defense, while the offensive line worked to adjust after a pair of injuries in Thursday’s preseason game affected the depth on the interior.
From keeping an eye on the kicking game following Andy Borregales’s struggles in the preseason opener to taking stock of the battle for the third running back spot, there was plenty to keep track of on Monday.
Here are five takeaways from the action.
Obiazor mixes in
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the 11-on-11 team drills was seeing rookie linebacker Namdi Obiazor get a few snaps with the first team.
It’s been a quiet camp so far for the sixth-round pick out of TCU. The 6-foot-3, 229-pound rookie projects as an inside linebacker at this level after beginning his college career as a defensive back.
Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss were productive at that spot for the Patriots last year. Fellow rookie Kahlil Jacobs has made a strong first impression. K.J. Britt made several plays, including a forced fumble that led to a turnover in Thursday’s game.
Chad Muma was absent and Elliss appeared to leave early with an injury.
Both Obiazor and Gabe Jacas worked with the first team for a bit on Monday.
Mixed bag from Borregales
Andy Borregales was the only kicker out there on Monday for the Patriots. His 2-for-5 showing in the preseason opener was not the kind of start he had hoped for.
Vrabel said after the game that he and his staff would talk about bringing in some competition. So far, there haven’t been any roster changes.
What has been different over the past few days is that Borregales has been kicking to goalposts that are skinnier than the regulation-sized ones, making for more difficult attempts.
Borregales made three of his five attempts on Monday. The misses were more wide than short, which may be a reflection of the switch in goalposts. It was a mixed bag after a strong performance on Saturday, when he made five out of six attempts on the skinny posts.
Hasty back after long absence
The Patriots signed running back JaMychal Hasty on Thursday, and he was able to appear in the preseason game against the Colts that night.
“That was fun, it was a good challenge,” Hasty said of playing in a preseason game before being able to practice with the Patriots. “It was something I’ve never done before, so I just embraced it, attacked it and did the most that I could do with it.”
Hasty carried the ball five times for 11 yards. Rookie Jam Miller got the start and had 14 carries for 55 yards.
Hasty will compete with Miller, Lan Larrison, and Hasan Haskins for the third running back spot. Terrell Jennings, who appeared to be in the lead for the position, was placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury.
Hasty appeared in 15 games for the Patriots in 2024, and he had a stint on the Dolphins’ practice squad last year. The Longview, Texas native said he had returned to his home state before getting the call from the Patriots.
“I was back home in Texas with family and friends, training, and that’s pretty much it,” Hasty said. “Life was pretty simple.
Barmore limited in return
Christian Barmore returned to practice on Monday. Vrabel said he had been improving in his recovery process, noting that the veteran defensive tackle was “getting closer” to a return.
Barmore was able to do drills, but he wasn’t active for the 11-on-11 scrimmage portion of practice. He was out for a week, having missed last Tuesday’s joint practice, Thursday’s preseason game, and a couple of practices over the weekend.
O-Line adjustments
With Ben Brown and Andrew Rupcich sustaining injuries in Thursday’s game, the Patriots have taken a hit to their interior offensive line depth.
Coach Mike Vrabel said he has considered giving first-round pick Caleb Lomu some reps at guard this summer, but also mentioned that he doesn’t want to derail the rookie’s improvement.
Lomu has spent time at both tackle spots this summer, and has occasionally worked as a jumbo tight end as well.
But, for now, it’s next man up on the interior. Brown is expected to be out several weeks, and Rupcich has been placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Brown, Rupcich, and Mehki Butler were the top backups on the interior before the injury. The team recently traded Caedan Wallace to the Dolphins. Undrafted rookie Jacob Rizy filled in for Brown during the preseason game. The Patriots have since signed Darrian Dalcourt and Joe Michalski.
Injuries happen, offensive tackle Morgan Moses said. The veterans of the group will have to help some of the newer and younger guys catch up.
Khari A. Thompson
Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
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