FOXBORO, Mass. — On a day where the New England Patriots defense again got the best of the offense, rookie quarterback Drake Maye and receiver Ja’Lynn Polk were responsible for the biggest highlight.
It marked the second time in three training camp sessions that Maye was at the center of it all.
Maye pump-faked and unleashed a deep ball to Polk, who was racing down the sideline with cornerback Azizi Hearn in coverage during the second 11-on-11 period. The ball dropped into Polk’s hands just before safety Jaylinn Hawkins could break it up.
You can watch it here, courtesy of the Patriots:
“He made a nice catch, yeah, that wasn’t a great throw,” Maye said after practice. “But Polk made a nice catch, great player. Had to look off the safety a little bit, but he made a nice play. Give him a chance, right? Give those guys a chance. That’s what he’s here for, that’s what he’s making plays for. So looking forward to seeing more of JP.”
It prompted quite a roar from those in attendance, which was a better turnout than the previous two week-day sessions. Perhaps nobody was more excited than Patriots tight end Hunter Henry, though, as the veteran sprinted over to Polk and jumped up in the air in celebration.
Joe Milton III threw a deep pass to rookie Javon Baker on the other field shortly after Maye’s connection with Polk. Baker beat rookie Marcellas Dial Jr. for a touchdown which was believed to go for 50-something yards in the air.
Matthew Judon might argue he had the nicest play of the day, too. Judon recorded a pick-six against Maye just four snaps after the long throw to Polk. Maye didn’t see Judon in coverage as he targeted running back Rhamondre Stevenson out of the backfield. Maye called it a “rookie mistake.”
The Patriots will return to the practice fields at Gillette Stadium for their fourth training camp practice Sunday.
