With the 2024 NFL Draft concluded, New England Patriots are getting ready for their rookie minicamp on May 10 and May 11. This event will bring together the Patriots’ draft picks and undrafted free agents who recently signed with the team. In addition, several other prospects have been invited to join the camp, giving them a chance to demonstrate their skills and potentially earn a spot on the team as they move towards the mandatory minicamp in June. Fans and the football world are eager to see the No. 3 overall pick, quarterback,
for the first time at a Patriots facility for football activities. There's also excitement about new offensive weapons, such as second-round draft pick Drake MayeJa’Lynn Polk and fourth-round selection Baker, who has made headlines with some attention-grabbing quotes since the draft. We might hear more of them during this upcoming camp. New Patriots head coach continues to shape the franchise in his own way, including opening up media access to the Patriots’ rookie minicamp. This will give the media a behind-the-scenes look that they have never had during a rookie minicamp in Foxborough. Javon Baker.
A Shift in Player Access According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Jerod Mayo the New England Patriots will allow media access when rookie minicamp begins on May 11. This is different from
Bill Belichick’s
usual closed-door approach. Belichick had typically kept rookie minicamps off-limits to reporters, following his broader philosophy of limiting media access. He statedduring a training camp session in July 2017 that he was concerned about premature judgments based on early practices, which may not accurately reflect a player’s true abilities, positively or negatively. Belichick shared his thoughts on the matter with reporters. “You know, you guys are asking a lot of questions about what have we seen from ‘this’ guy, what are we seeing from ‘that’ guy. We’ve yet to put on pads, alright?” Belichick said to reporters. “I understand that this is a pretty talented group of evaluators in this room, but in all honesty, our evaluations come more in training camp when we actually practice, and we can fully execute the techniques and the plays that we’re trying to do.”
But with Mayo allowing media access and the excitement surrounding an entirely new coaching staff and the newest offensive weapons, it’s hard to imagine we won’t hear some early evaluations about these rookies. Drake Maye, the newly appointed quarterback for the New England Patriots, expressed his excitement for the upcoming rookie minicamp, indicating a shift from the exhaustive draft process to acclimating to his new team.With visits, pro days, and pre-draft interviews now behind him, Maye's main focus is integrating into the Patriots’ system and preparing for his first NFL season. When asked about areas for improvement in a recent segment of
98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak and Bertrand
, Maye admitted that he needs to improve certain parts of his game. Additionally, he expressed his enthusiasm about starting.
“I’m excited. I'm thrilled. We arrive on Thursday, so I’m extremely eager to join the guys…That’s one of the highlights of joining a new team, getting to know the guys,” said Maye.
After the initial excitement of arriving in a new city and settling in at the facilities fades, Maye understands that he must immediately start working as he has a completely new offensive system to learn with a new coaching staff. “The most important thing is to be meticulous with coach Van Pelt’s offense, mastering all the details first,” stated the rookie. “I don’t think it's wise to go out there like a rookie who is unprepared. So, really perfecting that, studying it thoroughly, comprehending it, and being able to explain it to someone else.
“That's how I absorb information,” Maye remarked. “Being able to explain it to someone else is when I truly feel like I understand it. So, work hard on that, become extremely precise in the playbook, all the movements, all the minor details.” The New England Patriots are launching their first rookie minicamp, and new head coach Jerod Mayo has chosen to allow complete media coverage., Maye acknowledged the need for refinement in certain aspects of his game. Also, he commented on his excitement about getting going.
“I’m pumped. I’m pumped. We get in on Thursday, so I’m super excited to get with the guys…That’s kinda one of the best parts about coming to a new team is getting acclimated with the guys”, said Maye.
After the excitement of getting to a new city and settling in at the facilities wears off, Maye is fully aware that he needs to get straight to work as he has an entirely new offensive system to learn with a new coaching staff. “The biggest thing is being detailed with coach Van Pelt’s offense, knowing all the details first,” said the rookie. “I think going out there like a deer in the headlights as a rookie is not smart. So, really fine-tuning that and really studying it, getting to know it, and being able to teach it back to somebody.
“That’s kind of how I learn things,” Maye added. “Being able to teach it back to somebody is when I really feel like you know it. So, grind that, get really detailed in the playbook, all the motions, all the little stuff.”
