I could’ve been doing anything with my time today.
Taken a walk on the beach on this Chamber of Commerce weather day.
Relaxed on the patio of Stately Thornton Manor.
Plunked myself down in front of the Karen Read trial.
For your amusement and education, I traveled two hours round trip to Patriots minicamp.
All I ask is that my sense of duty and self-sacrifice be an inspiration to others.
It’s just that now, it’s nonstop.
“Mr. Jones” by Mike Jones.
“Wants and Needs” by Li’l Baby.
(I never leave home without the Shazam app fully updated.)
Even though I’m more of a Yacht-Rock-turned-up-to-5 kind of guy, I’m not complaining.
I just kind of miss being able to hear the coaches “What the fuck?”
–The focus of today was, as the OTA workouts were, the passing game.
With a few 11-on-11s sprinkled in, but the vast majority were 7-on-7s.
So make of any of this what you will.
Of that, there is no question.
He’s getting the first team reps, such as they are in mid-June.
He seems the most comfortable in Alex Van Pelt’s offense, whatever that may be.
Though he did sail one over Tyquan Thornton on a corner fade.
And at least one of those passes was almost picked off by Kyle Dugger after it was tipped.
–And while I’d never insult Maye with the term Beta, he’s clearly Brissett’s understudy.
The QB1 in training.
But his progress from the first workout of OTAs to today was visible.
A lot was made before, during, and after the draft about his shitty footwork.
His fundamentals in the pocket,the little kicks and the thumbs, like a full body dry heave.
But the extensive training he’s no doubt receiving is taking hold.
With his feet directly connected to his arm the way it was meant to be.
–Maye went 3-for-3 in goal line, with three touchdowns.
Then seemed to go through his progressions before finding Kayshon Boutte on an out route for a score.
And he completed more throws in 11s than anyone.
–As for you Bailey Zappe stans, while I wouldn’t turn that No.
And his arm is noticeably weaker when you’re comparing him to those three instead of Mac Jones.
In that same 2-minute drill, he got picked off on his first attempt.
–Milton on the other hand, stands out.
The focus was on short- to intermediate passes and goal line.
But in that same no timeouts drill, he threw an 8-yard laser to Bell on the first rep.
So he’s very much the work in progress we all thought he’d be.
I watched the two of them kicking with that little wire holder thing for a while.
Which has to be a weird dynamic.
Two guys going for one job, stuck all alone together.
A kicker version of The Prisoner’s Dilemma.
From what I could see, from 50 yards, they were matching each other miss for miss.
Because Joey Slye sounds like the name of a colorful mobster.
Or the Private Eye in one of those 1940s shows they play on Radio Classics.
But more to the point, because a single season of Ryland was enough for one lifetime.
I can’t believe Eliot Wolf didn’t address this obvious postition of need.
While firing whatever scout recommended him.
–All in all, it was a great day to see this team getting back at it.
The only injury I noticed was Isaiah Bolden, who appeared to take a shot to the groin.
Toughed it out for a couple of reps.
But then finally tapped out with his hand clutching his yam bag.
I’m also happy to report the assistant on the sideline was smiling at him.
Happy because it means he can’t have been too badly injured.
