Storylines Heading Into Patriots Training Camp

By Steve Atkinson 

Patriots training camp begins on Saturday, where we’ll see Drake Maye, AJ Brown, Mike Vrabel, and the team in action without pads after an interesting off-season following the Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The main story of the off-season was the Mike Vrabel and Russini situation and how ESPN didn’t cover it, unlike how they cover other scandals. ESPN had no trouble covering Spygate and Deflategate, but when it involves someone who worked for ESPN, silence. That kind of thing is common in the industry.

The second story is Christian Gonzalez. He didn’t participate in OTAs and only did a walkthrough during minicamp. He held up the money sign at the Celtics game and shouted that the Patriots better pay him. He was the best player in the Super Bowl and will probably get paid during training camp.

Patriots left tackle situation

The third story is Will Campbell at left tackle—will he stay there? The connection between Drake Maye and AJ Brown, which Russini initially reported as him being a Patriots target, is also worth noting. She had him to the Patriots back in October when AJ Brown couldn’t wait to get out of Philadelphia.

Drake Maye AJ Brown connection which helps the Patriots

Drake Maye needed a receiver like how Diggs was last year. Someone who can get open and come up clutch in big moments. AJ Brown is younger, can get open, and will come in clutch in situations. Having both Diggs and Brown would create an ego problem on who should get the ball more. AJ Brown had this to say about Maye.

He’s a true leader, and he leads the room,” the Patriots wideout said of Maye. “It says a lot that a young guy grabs everybody’s attention. This is a leader of men I’m speaking about, and that right there is not a trait that is easily found in men.

“So, for him to have it so young and him to recognize what he has in front of him, it speaks volumes. As I said, the fun thing is that he can make any throw. That’s what you wanna see, and he does it very easily.

Gabe Jacas, the linebacker the Patriots drafted, is still unsigned. He had a knee procedure done, he hid from the team during the scouting process, and has delayed his time with the team during their off-season program. Vrabel seemed annoyed by it, and it doesn’t look like he’ll be at training camp.

It’s a better look for ESPN and the league if the Patriots are good, like I keep saying. The Patriots will be fine. Looking forward to another summer at Patriots training camp.