Patriots
From Efton Chism’s rise to Mike Vrabel’s bloody cheek, here are seven surprising things we saw at camp and the games.
Cutdown day has arrived, the part of the year where media can watch full practices is over, and now it’s time to reflect on a few surprises from this preseason.
There have been positive surprises, such as rookies stepping up in unexpected roles. There have been negative surprises such as veterans losing their jobs or seeing reduced playing time.
There was even a training camp scuffle with a twist this year.
So, here are seven things that were surprising to see at this year’s training camp.
TreVeyon Henderson’s explosiveness
Henderson has been the breakout star of camp. He took a kick return 100 yards for a touchdown on his first NFL preseason touch, setting the tone for what became an excellent preseason for the rookie.
He scored in two of the three preseason games. He’s demonstrated that his explosiveness translates into several areas, whether it’s the kick return game, a change of pace in the running game from Rhamondre Stevenson’s power, or getting open downfield on wheel routes. He’s not afraid to mix it up in pass protection.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said Henderson is among the fastest running backs he has ever coached with the Patriots. It shows. New England hasn’t had a weapon quite like him in a while
Kyle Dugger’s slide down the depth chart
For the bulk of his Patriots career, Dugger has been one of the most productive defensive players on the team. He also emerged as a quiet leader in the locker room.
Seeing him fall down the depth chart behind rookie Craig Woodson and veteran Jaylinn Hawkins was certainly a shock. It’s not like he just got demoted to being a backup, the Patriots had several players that they played over him at points this summer.
Coach Mike Vrabel was even asked if he’s consider switching Dugger to linebacker, which he did not rule out.
Dugger is coming off of a high ankle sprain that has hampered his performance, but it doesn’t change how big the gap is between how the previous coaching staff and the current staff view him.
A much improved, but still streaky Drake Maye
Maye, for the most part, looks like a completely different quarterback. He’s more confident. He has generally been decisive and accurate.
He had a long streak in camp without throwing an interception. His physical gifts, the size, the quickness, and the strong arm are all there.
The big issue that stood out with him this summer was botched snaps. There were a lot of them. Part of that is on him, and part of it is on the centers he has been working with. But, snapping the ball is a basic part of the game and it was surprising to see that be as big of an issue as it was.
He had a fumble in one of the preseason games that Vrabel said was a poor decision. Maye tried to get a throw off with a defender lunging at his legs and he lost the football. He also had several throws in practice that went right to defenders that were dropped.
Overall, it was a positive preseason for Maye, but his streakiness was noticeable.
Mike Vrabel’s bloody cheek
This one might not be as much of a surprise to some, considering Vrabel’s reputation and personality.
But, when was the last time we saw a coach bleeding during a training camp practice?
Vrabel said he was trying to diffuse a scuffle. Henderson threw an aggressive pass block and Campbell and Vrabel said they were trying to get a Washington player off of Henderson.
Vrabel ended up at the bottom of the pile and had a bloody cheek to show for it.
Efton Chism’s emergence
Th undrafted rookie from FCS-level Eastern Washington wound up being the Patriots’ leading receiver in the preseason, bolstering his chances at making the roster.
The odds were long against Chism from the beginning, not just because he is undersized and comes from a small school, but also because the Patriots have been actively trying to revamp the wide receiver room through free-agency and the draft.
Chism found a way to produce in practice and games this summer, and it should at least force a tough decision on whether or not to keep him.
K’Lavon Chaisson forcing a platoon situation on the edge
Keion White showed a lot of promise at the beginning of last season, posting four sacks in the first two games. His production dropped off after that.
Still, it appeared as though the 6-foot-5, 285-pound defensive end would be in position to start.
Now, it sounds like Vrabel is considering more of a platoon situation on the edge.
“Well, there’ll be a rotation,” Vrabel said. “We’re going to play a lot of guys on defense. I mean, I’ve had plenty of conversations with Keion and love how he works and love how he competes.
“And so, we’re going to need him, we’re going to need all three of them, four of them, five of them, however many guys can help us on the edge and affect the quarterback. So, I think when everything is said and done, the snaps are going to be pretty even and equal.”
Vrabel brought in former Tennessee Titan Harold Landry for pass-rush help off the edge.
The big surprise with this group, however, has been the performance of K’Lavon Chaisson, the former first-rounder who bounced around with several teams before landing with New England in the offseason. Chaisson has played his way into some unexpected snaps, forcing the Patriots to rethink their strategy at the position.
DJ James’s nose for the ball
DJ James made the first interception of training camp practice, and the first interception of the preseason opener against Washington.
The 2024 sixth-round pick played on the practice squad last year and wasn’t well known heading into camp.
He made some plays that put him on the radar this summer.
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