FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots are just days into training camp, but one thing that has become abundantly clear in Jerod Mayo’s first season is that they’re trying to take a fresh approach.
It’s also clear they’re keeping secrets, and we’re going to get to the bottom of it!
New England introduced “offseason awards” back in April. Mayo admitted as much Wednesday, revealing one of the prizes for winning such awards was picking out music to be added to the Patriots’ in-practice playlist — another new perk introduced under the current regime.
How do you win such awards? Are there any other perks? Who already took one home?
We have answers to some of those inquiries, but others have been kept under lock and key Dug and Pep.
“Nah, I can’t give you that,” Patriots safety Kyle Dugger said Thursday, responding to a question about some of the prizes that have been handed out over the offseason. “It’s some nice stuff, though.”
“(Jaylinn Hawkins) got some pretty cool gifts,” Jabrill Peppers admitted Wednesday. “I was pretty upset.”
Hawkins, who has become the subject of many compliments throughout his extremely brief stint in New England, is the only known winner of the awards. Dugger and Peppers, despite being tight-lipped about the prizes, did give some examples of what can get someone on those lists — specifically the defensive backs.
“I’m not going to speak too much on it, but interceptions, pass breakups, running to the ball, hustle plays, punching at the ball,” Peppers explained. “It’s just about doing things the right way, down in and down out.”
“It’s a thing that nobody talks about, but everybody wants to be at the top of the leaderboard,” Dugger echoed. “It’s a quiet competition, but we all know what it is.”
What about the prizes, though?!
Is it a TV? Do they get to formulate a workout? Is it a gift card to one of the dozens of overpriced restaurants at Patriot Place?
We have no idea, and for as much as we ask, the Patriots aren’t spilling the beans. No fun for us, but probably plenty for them.
