FOXBOROUGH – Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett were on fire – at least to start practice.
On Day 14 of training camp, the Patriots welcomed in the Philadelphia Eagles and their talented defense for a joint practice session. Initially, the team’s quarterbacks didn’t have many issues throwing the ball downfield against their opponents.
Maye started 10-of-10 and Brissett was 10-of-11 after one 7-on-7 and one 11-on-11 period.
After that, however, the Eagles pass rush stepped up and the Patriots offensive line looked overwhelmed. What transpired was a wake-up call for the team’s top two offensive groupings.
In his last nine dropbacks, Maye was sacked six times to end Tuesday’s practice. That included a dreadful 2-minute drill where the rookie’s unit allowed three sacks on four dropbacks.
At the end of practice, the No. 3 overall pick shouldered the blame.
“First of all, I got to get the ball out on early downs. You can’t take sacks on early downs,” Maye said. “Whether I’m feeling something or it’s from the backside, I’ve got to get the ball out. Other than that, it’s finding completions whether it’s hitting the back, trying to do something to get us moving. That’s the biggest thing.”
Maye started Tuesday going 6-for-6 in 7-on-7s. That included a highlight-reel deep ball to Javon Baker, who jumped over Eagles cornerback Josh Jobe for the reception. Maye then completed his first four passes in full-team drills and was 4-of-6 before finishing 6-of-12 in 11-on-11s.
Trouble started in the red zone where Maye went 0-for-2. In the next period, Maye was sacked three times on five dropbacks. That run also included a fumbled snap due to center Atonio Mafi.
The rookie ended practice with the 2-minute drill. He was sacked on the first two dropbacks and then threw an incomplete pass to Kayshon Boutte. On fourth down, Maye was sacked again.
In the final two full-team periods, Maye was sacked six times.
“Ups and downs,” Maye said. “7-on-7s, I think I threw the ball well. First team period was OK. Down here in the red zone, I could’ve made a better throw to (Polk) down here on the slot fade. Other than that, it was some great reps – great reps to learn from, a great defense. They do a good job. Big dudes up front and different looks. It was a great learning experience.”
The day wasn’t much better for Brissett and the Patriots top offensive unit. Brissett went 5-of-6 in 7-on-7s and was 5-of-5 through the first two full-team periods. After that, the wheels came off for the Patriots.
Brissett finished 12-of-24 with two interceptions in 11-on-11 drills. Like Maye’s unit, Brissett’s group struggled with the Eagles’ pass rush.
Things started to go wrong in the red zone. Brissett threw a good pass to Austin Hooper, who initially caught the touchdown, but the ball popped out of his hands to Eagles linebacker Brandon Smith for the interception.
Brissett and Hooper later connected on a nice 5-yard touchdown as the veteran tight end redeemed himself.
The group’s next full-team period ended poorly after Brissett started with completions to Mitchell Wilcox and Hooper. First, Brissett tripped over running back Antonio Gibson and was sacked on a play-action call. Next, Darius Slay deflected a pass intended for Tyquan Thornton, Sidy Sow was called for a false start, Thornton dropped a pass, and Brissett overthrew Hooper.
That period ended with Brissett getting intercepted by Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. on a pass intended for K.J. Osborn.
Brissett’s group had a better 2-minute drill than Maye’s, but the Patriots stalled on the 8-yard line. The veteran quarterback hit Hooper, DeMario Douglas, Jalen Reagor, and Douglas again to get inside the 10-yard line. The pass to Reagor was a nice deep ball with the receiver snatching it out of the air away from two defenders.
That’s when things went awry. Brissett was 0-for-4 with a misfire to Hooper, a throwaway, a pass breakup by Eagles corner Kelee Ringo, and then an incomplete to Douglas.
Brissett was sacked four times on Tuesday. On his final fourth-down pass, he also would’ve been sacked.
“That’s something we’ve got to work on,” Rhamondre Stevenson said. “When it’s 2 minutes and the game’s on the line, we’ve got to get in the end zone. Just watch the film and we’ll correct it.”
Joe Milton III and Bailey Zappe received limited reps on Tuesday. Milton went 1-of-2 and Zappe was 0-for-2.
The Patriots will hope for a better offensive outcome when they next step on the field on Thursday to take on the Eagles in their second preseason game.
