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MORSE: Mini Camp Highlights and Other Transactions

Mini Camp Day 1

Absent: OG Wes Schweitzer and OG Tyreese Robinson

Limited: Stephon WR Diggs, S Kyle Dugger, WR Ja’Lynn Polk, OG Michael Onwenu, TE Austin Hooper, OT Vederian Lowe, OC Jared Wilson, DT Jaquelin Roy

Non-Participants but in Attendance: WR Mack Hollins, LB Jahlani Tavai, CB Myles Battle

According to Head Coach Mike Vrabel, everyone was in attendance for mandatory Mini-Camp. We learned today that Wes Schweitzer has retired from the NFL.

Drake Maye had a terrific 1st day of mini-camp, following up on the good practice from the last OTA that was open to the media. Maye went 14-18 in team drills against the 1st team Defense. He went on to throw 3 TDs in Red Zone plays on 8 pass attempts. The 1st was to Treveyon Henderson. The 2nd to Pop Douglas and the 3rd to Kendrick Bourne. An observation from Evan Lazar was a deep comeback pass to Kayshon Boutte that Maye threw with anticipation, throwing the ball before Boutte made his cut and hit him on the numbers.

I will also note two videos I saw of the practice where Efton Chism had an absolutely ridiculous arrow route. Selling his inside cut, stopping and going back in the opposite direction. Also, Stephon Diggs did participate in route running in position drills and his cutting ability, coming off ACL surgery, has been absolutely fantastic. He has not been cleared by the doctors for full participation. However, he is way ahead of schedule coming off his surgery. I would not be surprised to see Diggs ready to play for Game 1.

Kyle Williams had the play of the day with a 50-yard TD bomb from Josh Dobbs where he split the safeties. Williams ran the seam, beating a linebacker against two high safeties.

Wes Schweitzer Retires

The 9-year journeyman lineman was signed as a Free Agent to a low-cost deal. He played in 90 games and started 62 games for Atlanta, Washington, and New York Jets. The 6’4”, 300-pound Offensive Guard was in competition for the starting Left Guard position and was taking reps with the first team. I have no idea if an injury was involved in the Schweitzer decision to retire.

Cole Strange has also been with the first team at left Guard. Evan Lazar of Patriots.com pointed out that Caedan Wallace has been working at Left Guard. Going into camp, the Left Guard competition is wide open. To me it is a little disconcerting that the Patriots have this chaos at Left Guard while they are trying to bring along a rookie Left Tackle. Jared Wilson has not practiced since being drafted, but he played Guard at Georgia before making the switch to Center last week.

Evan Lazar stated Will Campbell had a strong practice, not giving up any sacks, and having a great pickup of an inside spin move by K’Lavon Chaisson. This was one of the moves that Campbell had issues with at LSU.

Defense

Keon White has another would be sack. This was against Garrett Bradbury not picking up the DE/DT stunt up the middle. White came in clean. That’s 3 sacks in the last 3 open practices. The first two were against rookie Will Campbell.

Drake Maye is not shying away from throwing at Christian Gonzalez. Maye is going up against a Defense that we think will be a top 10 defense. In Tuesday’s practice, Maye threw an interception to Gonzalez, but according to Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal, it was a great play by Gonzalez against Kyle Williams. Gonzalez made a great one-handed catch, going step-for-step with Williams. This can only make Maye a better QB.

In Day two of minicamp, the Defense introduced some different pressure looks and stunts to give Maye different looks. There were also a bunch of false starts on both sides of the ball. They used loud music and ran no-huddle to simulate being on the road.

Update to the Patriots Scouting Department

Tony Kinkela has been promoted from within to the position of Director of College Scouting, replacing the recently departed Cam Williams.

Kinkela came to New England in 2022 after spending 11 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an area scout. Kinkela had served as the Patriots’ national scout for the West region prior to his promotion. He is a graduate of Washington State, the same school as Patriots 3rd round pick Kyle Williams.

This was 1st reported by Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated.

New Position Created in the Analytics

The Patriots poached an up-and-coming analyst from the San Francisco 49ers for the Analytics department. Mark Daniels from Mass Live reported the Pats had hired Ekene Olekanma as the Director of Coaching Analytics. For the last two years, Olekanma served as the 49ers Football R&D Coordinator.

In an ESPN poll back in 2024, SF was voted as the #1 team in the league for the use of Analytics. Additionally, as part of the survey, people were asked to name Analytics experts that would make a good General Manager and Olekanma was named as one of 14 analysts that would make a good GM.

Mike Vrabel is following the script of the Packer Way in building his organization by going out and hiring the best talent available. He identified a weakness and has dedicated staffing assets to Analytics. John “Stretch” Streicher was hired as Vice President of Football Operations. In-house resources already included Richard Miller as Director of Research and Marshall Oium, who was promoted last year to Director of Football Strategy.

PATRIOTS PUBLIC TRAINING CAMP

The dates and times for 2025 New England Patriots training camp are now on the calendar.

In a press release on Tuesday, the Patriots announced the schedule for Training Camp. The Veteran players will report back to Gillette Stadium on July 22. The first dozen practices will be open to the public. Gates will open at 9:15 a.m. ET. One of these practices will be held in-stadium and will be open to season ticket holders and Foxboro residents only.

Further down the line for head coach Mike Vrabel’s roster, a joint practice with the Washington Commanders will be conducted in Foxborough on Aug. 6 leading up to the 7:30 p.m. ET preseason opener on Aug. 8.

SCHEDULE

Wednesday, July 23

Gates open: 9:15 a.m. ET