Tag: New England Patriots

NFL Hall of Fame QB fired up about Patriots rookie Drake Maye

Kurt Warner is loving what he’s seeing from Drake Maye

NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner was fired up about New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye’s Week 11 performance against the Los Angeles Rams.

The rookie went 30-of-40 on the afternoon, throwing for 282 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. His 75 percent completion percentage was his highest of the season. The 282 passing yards were also a career-high for him to this point.

Overall, it was a solid day for the 22-year-old quarterback, despite the loss and game-ending interception. Warner liked what he saw as the Patriots battled it out against his former team.

“The game that #DrakeMaye played today was the 3rd best rookie QB performance I have seen all year (the other 2 were by #JaydenDaniels)!!!” Warner posted on the X platform. “Saw the field, made the throws, anticipated, threw it away when needed to & made some off schedule plays when nothing was there!! #Impressive”

Maye’s growth has been evident considering he keeps getting better every outing. His ability to keep plays alive in addition to his quick decision-making is helping generate offense. His running ability, in particular, has been an asset for the team behind a struggling offensive line.

The Patriots still need to do right by him by surrounding him with the necessary talent to compete. Regardless, the early returns have been solid, and he is helping the offense find its groove.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Rams WR Puka Nacua recalls pre-draft meeting with Patriots

Puka Nacua has one specific memory of his pre-draft meeting with the Patriots

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua had a tremendous game against the New England Patriots in Week 11.

He had seven catches for 123 yards and a touchdown. It was his first encounter with New England as a member of the Rams. However, he has a bit of a history with the Patriots’ organization from his college days.

The Patriots met with Nacua at the Senior Bowl in the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, and the budding star receiver remembers wondering if the team was interested in drafting him after a conversation.

“I remember actually they were asking me about my blue light glasses,” said Nacua, via NESN.com’s Sean T. McGuire. “…I was like ‘Oh, man, maybe they thought I was really prepared to take care of my body, which I feel like I’m getting better at. But that was one of the things I remember from the Patriots interview.”

The Patriots ultimately passed on Nacua, and the Rams ended up taking him in the fifth round.

Nacua has gone on to be one of the most impactful receivers in the NFL in his first two seasons. He burst onto the scene last year, recording 1,486 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Injuries have slowed him down so far this season.

Nevertheless, there is no denying the Patriots could have used his dynamic playmaking ability.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Gimme Him: Jordyn Brooks would boost Patriots defense

Jordyn Brooks would be a solid addition to the Patriots defense

The New England Patriots will have a chance to earn their second win in three games when they take on the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon.

Miami has plenty of playmakers that New England could use on both sides of the football, but linebacker Jordyn Brooks is the pick for this week’s Gimme Him.

Brooks has been an unquestioned playmaker on the Dolphins defense this season. He has 85 tackles in total, in addition to a sack and four passes defended. He has shown the ability to fly all over the field and make big plays.

His durability has also been an asset this season. He has played 616 total snaps on defense. That is 100 percent of the defensive snaps on the season, according to statistics from Pro Football Reference. He has also played 45 snaps on special teams.

The Patriots have suffered notable injuries at the linebacker position, such as with team captain Ja’Whaun Bentley. He suffered a torn pectoral muscle in the middle of September.

Sione Takitaki has had several injuries this year as well, including a knee injury that saw him miss five games and a hamstring injury that forced him to miss Week 10. So Brooks’ durability would be a welcome addition.

Brooks is also just 27 years old. He would have the ability to be a stabilizing force on a defensive unit that has a mixture of younger and veteran pieces. His high-level play and athleticism would be welcome and would be a huge lift to the Patriots’ defense.

Not only could he help them in the present, but he could serve as a major building block for the future of the unit.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Patriots defensive standout among 10 questionable to play in Week 12

Multiple key starters questionable to play for the Patriots on Sunday

The New England Patriots listed 10 players as questionable to play in Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.

That list includes some key players, including Christian Gonzalez, Keion White, Kyle Dugger, Deatrich Wise Jr., Vederian Lowe and Anfernee Jennings.

Offensive guard Cole Strange, who returned to the practice field for the first time in the season this week, was also listed as questionable to play in Week 12.

The Patriots face an uphill battle on the road against the Dolphins, and the thought of them potentially being shorthanded for the matchup is discouraging. But there’s also hope that most of the players are dealing with nagging ailments that won’t keep them from actually suiting up.

Here is the full injury report for the Patriots in Week 12:

The Patriots struggled to stop the myriad of offensive weapons available to Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford last week. Things could get even worse for a banged-up Patriots defense against a loaded Dolphins offense on Sunday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

ESPN 2025 NFL mock draft has Patriots going unexpected route with first pick

Could the Patriots go defense again with their first-round draft pick?

Some mock drafts are in full swing, and a recent one from ESPN has the New England Patriots selecting a playmaking corner with the sixth overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft.

Michigan’s Will Johnson would be a fit for New England, according to ESPN’s Matt Miller.

Johnson has been a staple on the Michigan defense during his time in Ann Arbor. He has 68 combined tackles, nine interceptions, 10 pass deflections and three interceptions returned for touchdowns during his three seasons with the Wolverines.

Miller believes the Patriots could benefit from another corner, as they look to reload the defense.

He wrote:

Left tackle is an important need for the Patriots, but the offensive tackle class isn’t strong beyond Kelvin Banks Jr. Instead of reaching, the Patriots could fill another need at corner with Johnson, my top-rated prospect in the class. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Johnson fits the mold of Pat Surtain II, showing excellent ball skills and the physicality to hang with NFL wide receivers. He has been limited by injuries this season but has two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns. Pairing Johnson with 2023 first-rounder Christian Gonzalez would give the Patriots a legitimate spot of strength on defense, and having two top corners on rookie contracts would give New England flexibility to build around them.

Johnson playing opposite Gonzalez would undoubtedly be a lethal combo, and it would give the Patriots one of the best corner tandems in the NFL.

There’s a lot of time between now and the NFL draft. Even still, the Patriots have a chance to land an impact playmaker within the first round. The organization has a lot of needs, and they’ll have a tightrope to walk in their decisions when filling them.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Hall of Fame committee reportedly makes decision on Patriots owner Robert Kraft

Robert Kraft gets snubbed, again

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has reportedly been snubbed once again from a chance to be immortalized in Canton.

Per ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr., despite being among the favorites to be inducted, Kraft was passed over by the committee for a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

It’s a devastating blow to the 83-year-old owner and six-time Super Bowl champion.

According to Van Natta Jr., the decision was ultimately made on November 12 and will officially be revealed to the public next month.

Back in September, an ESPN report came out that Kraft questioned Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones being inducted ahead of him.

“He hasn’t been to the NFC title game in two decades and he gets in?” Kraft told a confidant, via Van Natta Jr. in the ESPN report. “How does that work?”

Now, Kraft is reportedly being passed over for names such as Ralph Hay, an NFL co-founder and former Canton Bulldogs owner. Being snubbed for a 13th time doesn’t lead to much hope that the Patriots owner will be getting in anytime soon.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Patriots Week 12 injury report: Two key players return to practice

DT Christian Barmore and OT Vederian Lowe were both on the practice field on Thursday

The New England Patriots were much healthier when stepping onto the practice field on Thursday.

Granted, they were still missing veteran defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr., who has been nursing a foot injury ever since the team’s Week 10 victory over the Chicago Bears. But they did get left tackle Vederian Lowe and star defensive tackle Christian Barmore back on the practice field.

Barmore returned last week after being out for most of the season due to a blood clot diagnosis. The team appears to be bringing him along slowly before unleashing a full workload on him.

Meanwhile, Lowe has been dealing with a nagging shoulder injury. It didn’t stop him from playing last week, and unless he has a major setback, it seems unlikely it’ll stop him from playing this week as well.

Here are the Thursday injury reports for both the Patriots and Miami Dolphins ahead of Sunday’s Week 12 game:

New England Patriots

Did not participate 
DT Jaquelin Roy, Neck
DE Deatrich Wise Jr., Foot

Limited participation
S Kyle Dugger, Ankle
DT Daniel Ekuale, Elbow
DT Davon Godchaux, Back
S Marte Mapu, Neck
LB Anfernee Jennings, Knee
T Vederian Lowe, Shoulder
OL Cole Strange, Knee
LB Keion White, Knee

Full participation
DT Christian Barmore, Not Injury Related – Other
LB Sione Takitaki, Knee

Miami Dolphins

Did not participate
T Terron Armstead, Knee
DT Calais Campbell, Rest
CB Kendall Fuller, Concussion

Limited participation 
FB Alex Ingold, Calf
DT Benito Jones, Shoulder
OL Robert Jones, Knee / Groin
S Jordan Poyer, Rest
OL Isaiah Wynn, Quad / Knee

Full participation
LB Tyus Bowser, Knee / Calf
OL Aaron Brewer, Shoulder / Calf
LB Jordyn Brooks, Wrist
TE Julian Hill, Shoulder
WR Tyreek Hill, Wrist
S Jevón Holland, Hand / Knee
S Patrick McMorris, Calf
RB Raheem Mostert, Hip
CB Jalen Ramsey, Knee

Barmore and Lowe being on the practice field, along with interior guard Cole Strange returning, is good news for the Patriots. Those three players can only make the team better as it embarks on the back half of a difficult regular season schedule.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Drake Maye earns praise after Week 11 game

Drake Maye was recognized as one of the NFL’s top rookies in Week 11.

Since New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo switched to former UNC standout Drake Maye as his starting quarterback, one of the NFL’s worst offensive units now suddenly has life.

Maye has a touchdown pass in each of his five starts, including a career-high three in his first start against the Houston Texans. Taking Maye’s stats a step further, Maye has multiple touchdown passes in three of those starts.

Maye is fresh off his highest passing yardage total, with 282 in a 28-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 14. He completed 29-of-39 passes, tossed two touchdowns and ran for 27 yards.

For Maye’s latest outing, he was tabbed one of NFL Analyst/former Good Morning Football host Peter Schrager’s Top 5 Week 11 rookies.

Maye, ranked third amongst Schrager’s rookies, found himself on the list with Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (second), Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey, Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight and Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DCmOG5fvxKJ/

After New England suffered below-average quarterback play from initial starter Jacoby Brissett, Mayo decided the team needed a spark. That’s why he went to Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, whom the Patriots invested heavily in to be their franchise guy.

Overall through seven appearances, Maye has 1,236 passing yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions. Maye is also showcasing his speed for the Patriots, collecting 260 rushing yards and a rushing touchdowns, on 28 carries.

What makes Maye’s rookie year even more impressive is that he’s playing behind a struggling offensive line. Maye also lacks a true number one wide receiver, like he had at North Carolina, with the likes of Josh Downs and Devontez Walker.

I was hopeful Maye would be the latest Tar Heel to thrive in the NFL, but I didn’t think it’d be this early in his rookie season. I’m excited to watch how Maye’s career pans out.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Patriots CB Jonathan Jones opens up about taking accountability

Jonathan Jones spoke on the importance of taking accountability after his struggles against the Rams

New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones, who struggled in the Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, appeared on “The WEEI Afternoon Show” and spoke about taking accountability.

Jones allowed multiple touchdowns to the Rams, including a 69-yard touchdown to wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Pro Football Focus gave him the worst defensive grade for the entire Patriots team following the game.

“I just pride myself on trying to take accountability,” said Jones. “If I’m going to be the guy to speak in front of the team, I’m going to be the first to tell you when I mess up and when I do my wrongs.”

Jones has been one of the most dependable leaders in the Patriots’ locker room. This was simply a game and situation where the Rams had his number.

He’ll have a chance to bounce back against a talented Miami Dolphins offense on Sunday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Sony Michel reflects on pressures of playing with Tom Brady during his Patriots tenure

Sony Michel reflects on pressures of playing with Tom Brady during his Patriots tenure w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to former New England Patriots running back Sony Michel, who played with the team from 2018 to 2020, winning a Super Bowl during his rookie season.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Michel—who recently teamed up with Kingsford to host the ‘Kingsford College Football Tailgate Tour’ at the recent Georgia vs. Tennessee SEC matchup in Athens, Georgia—explained the partnership and reflected on playing with Tom Brady while starting his career in New England.

“I haven’t used many other products, but Kingsford makes it so much easier. There is no other product that I would want to try because this is so simple; if it’s not broken, you don’t fix it,” said Michel. “It’s one of the terminologies we use. Kingsford seems to be my style, and I love it in the smooth; you talk about preparation, and it’s super simple. You get the grill started. It’s an easy way to start it up on the I use kind of the chimney smoker to get it going.”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCZbpBVpH0g/?igsh=MWs5cGl6MXphZTdtZA==

Michel had the unique opportunity of playing immediately as a rookie alongside arguably the most accomplished quarterback in league history. He reflected on his time with Brady and adjusted to his playing style throughout the pressures of his final run in New England.

“100%. It’s definitely pressure; you’re playing with one of the best quarterbacks ever to play this game; you want to be on point,” Michel explained. “You want to be perfect. You want to be able to affect the game, if not just as much as he did. He brought that form of leadership that raised your level of play. So it was a little uncomfortable at first until I embraced it, and I think that’s when I was able to really catch my stride and really enjoy it.”

For more information on Kingsford, log on to Kingsford.com and follow on Instagram & X