Sunday Patriots Notes
1. DeMario Douglas’ Ambitions
The New England Patriots have wrapped up their OTAs and mandatory minicamp, entering a quiet period before training camp begins in late July. One notable highlight from the spring practices was the performance of wide receiver DeMario Douglas, who aims to build on his impressive rookie season.
Douglas’ first year saw him setting a record for the most productive rookie receiver in the Bill Belichick era, with 49 receptions for 561 yards. Despite this achievement, Douglas is far from complacent.
“I’m not satisfied at all,” Douglas shared on the “Rich in Real Life” podcast. “I got the rookie record under Bill. I was like ‘I could do so much more.’ But, I had little injuries and stuff like that that got in the way.”
The 5-foot-8 receiver was hindered by injuries, including two concussions, which limited his participation to under 500 offensive snaps. However, Douglas is determined to elevate his game further in his second year, emphasizing his desire to “come 10 times harder” next season.
Hearing that comparison should excite New England fans, as Downs, who went 79th overall in the same draft as Douglas, was Drake Maye’s favorite target during their one season together at North Carolina. In 2022, the duo connected 94 times for 1,029 yards and 11 scores. New England will certainly take similar production from Douglas moving forward, as they hope their receiver does have more to give to become a key offensive piece that can grow with the 21-year old Maye moving forward.
2. To the Links
With players officially breaking until training camp, vacations and offseason activities are in full swing. For punter and scratch golfer Bryce Baringer, he took to the golf course with his free time to keep the competitive mindset intact.
Baringer spent Tuesday playing in the Massachusetts Amateur qualifier at the Stockbridge Golf Club and posted a round-winning 1-under-par 69. He won by one stroke, thanks to a 25-foot birdie putt on hole 18, which he relates to pinning an opponent deep with a punt, to qualify for the Massachusetts Amateur Championship.
“Right now, we’re on our break before training camp. For me, being able to do these types of events helps me keep my juices flowing,” he told Mass Golf. “Being able to compete with myself and try to put my foot forward, no matter what I’m trying to do, is always good for self-improvement. It helps me stay competitive, and it helps me learn a lot about who I am as a player.”
3. Offseason Message
With the offseason program closing on June 12, players have 41 days until they return for training camp (37 for rookies). The message between now and then is simple.
“The message is don’t lose the gains that you’ve made, and either you’re getting better or you’re getting worse,” Mayo explained. “There is no maintaining, alright? So, continue to work out at home and make good decisions off the field. If you do that, you’ll be okay.”
Second-year offensive lineman Sidy Sow added: “Don’t be stupid and go out there and gain 35 pounds because you haven’t been doing anything. Be ready, camp is coming, and that’s where you earn your job.”
4. Strange’s Status
Jerod Mayo described left guard Cole Strange’s status as “month-by-month” earlier this offseason, which cast doubt about his availability for the upcoming season. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Strange suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee when he went down in December.
Strange originally suffered an injury to his left patellar tendon on the first day of padded practices in training camp, which cost him the rest of the summer before he eventually returned in Week 2. It’s also the same injury Mayo suffered in 2014 late in his career.
5. Eyes on UFL
With the end of the UFL season last Sunday, NFL teams are now free to sign players from the league. New England took advantage as they agreed to terms with offensive lineman Liam Fornadel, who most recently played for the D.C. Defenders.
Another position they could take a look at is kicker, a group that saw much success in the UFL this season. While the Detroit Lions already inked standout Jake Bates, several other options remain. One includes Matt Coghlin, who hit 16-of-18 field goals this season with a long of 57 yards for the New Orleans Breakers. Coghlin also played college football at Michigan State with Bryce Baringer.
6. Locker Room Feel
“The locker room is very accepting,” free agent addition Antonio Gibson said. “I feel like it’s more of a bond here, they do a lot of things together. Nothing against my brothers on the other side, but everybody communicates with each other — from offense to defense. That’s a good feeling coming over here and them being accepting.”
7. Running Back Rank
Gibson will combine forces with Rhamondre Stevenson this season to create a 1-2 punch atop the Patriots running back depth chart. The room is then currently rounded out by Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty, and UDFA’s Terrell Jennings and Deshaun Fenwick.
In a current ranking of running back units on Pro Football Focus, New England’s group ranked 25th in the NFL.
Rhamondre Stevenson is a solid back who has yet to finish a single season with a rushing grade below 78.0. He has also averaged more than 4.0 yards per carry in all three of his NFL campaigns. He doesn’t bring a ton to the passing game, but that’s what the Patriots signed Antonio Gibson for. This group has a high floor but a low ceiling.
8. Embracing Boston
Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye got the full Boston experience this past week after wrapping up the on-field portion of his first offseason program. Maye stayed for the entirety of the three-hour Tom Brady ceremony before attending a Red Sox game later that weekend.
The quarterback was then one of several Patriots in the building Monday night for the Boston Celtics Game 5 victory in which they clinched Banner 18.
9. Championship Stat
With the Celtics NBA Championship, the big-four Boston professional sports teams have now combined for 13 titles since 2000 — with six won by the Patriots. As pointed out by Red Sox Stats on Twitter, 26 percent of all players who played on the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, or Bruins have one at least one championship ring in their Boston tenure.
10. Setting Up the Week Ahead
The quiet portion of the NFL offseason rolls on. While rookies will remain in the building over the next week to continue to work, teams are off the field until the beginning of training camp in late July.
