FOXBORO, Mass. -- Drake Maye threw three touchdowns on nine red-zone passes during the New England Patriots training camp practice at Gillette Stadium on Monday.
The rookie quarterback again looked good during a 7-on-7 period without the threat of a pass rush. He went 3-for-6 during six snaps in red zone 7-on-7s with a pair of dart throws for touchdowns. He also went 5-for-8 in 14 snaps during 11-on-11s with another touchdown.
Maye has looked better in 7-on-7s during camp, including both Sunday (he reportedly went 7-for-10) and Monday. Given Jerod Mayo's own trepidation with the second-string offensive line, it's fair to point out even though it's not "real" football.
During red area 7-on-7s on Monday, Maye connected with rookie Javon Baker, who beat cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr. and hauled in the catch as safety Brenden Schooler closed in on him. Baker said his connection with Maye is "way better" now than when the two rookies opened training camp. Maye followed that up with another in-breaking laser to rookie tight end Jaheim Bell, who beat safety A.J. Thomas in the back of the end zone.
They were eye-catching throws. But they were not alone.
Maye, however, opened the 7-on-7 period with a near interception by Christian Gonzalez after a miscommunication with Jalen Reagor. Maye went right back to Reagor on the next snap, throwing a perfectly placed ball into the back corner of the end zone. Reagor got his fingertips on it, but it ultimately fell incomplete. Nevertheless, it was a good rep for the offense and Maye specifically. Maye closed the 7-on-7 period with an incompletion to Kayshon Boutte, who ran the back of the end line from right to left and had a step on his defender as he raced toward the pylon. Maye's throw ultimately got away from him with Boutte unable to run it down. It was one Maye immediately wanted to have back.
Maye played behind the second-string offensive line during 11-on-11s, which consisted of, from left to right, Calvin Anderson, Michael Jordan, Nick Leverett, Layden Robinson and Caedan Wallace.
It was an ugly day for both the offense and defense, combining to commit four penalties with officials attending their second straight practice at Gillette Stadium. Maye's group was responsible for two false starts during 11-on-11s.
Maye had a pair of plays that stuck out during 11-on-11s. The first came on a connection to Reagor as Maye stepped up in the pocket as it closed around him. He found the veteran wideout running across the field. Maye had another nice rep during a red zone 11-on-11 period, the Patriots offense facing third-and-goal from the 2-yard line. Maye rolled to his right and connected with rookie Ja'Lynn Polk, who perfectly executed a rub route for an easy pitch and catch.
"He's been impressive and done everything we've asked him," Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt told season-ticket holders said of Maye on Sunday. "He studies really hard and puts the work in. We've cleaned up his footwork."
Maye has two crucial days coming up with a joint practice against the Eagles on Tuesday and preseason game against Philadelphia on Thursday night. Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said Maye will see more snaps in those game-like situations than he did in the preseason opener. It will serve as a barometer of Maye's progress.
