Patriots offense starting to heat up at training camp

For the first week of Patriots training camp, there were two big stories: the Matthew Judon saga, and the offense’s struggles.

Thursday and Friday’s practices flipped the script on both of those narratives. Judon practiced in full on Friday for the second straight day, this time with the team in pads. Whatever that “great” conversation Jerod Mayo said he had with Judon earlier in the week was actually about, it seems to have placated Judon at least for the time being.

Now, Judon still doesn’t have a new contract, so it seems unlikely that everything has been solved. But perhaps the two sides have at least had some sort of breakthrough. We’ll continue to wait and see if there’s a deal coming – and if there’s not, we’ll wait and see how long this peace lasts.

Just as important as Judon’s presence has been the play of the offense the last two days. Thursday wasn’t great by any means, but it was definitely a step in the right direction from earlier in the week. Friday was another step or two.

In a practice that lasted over two hours in temperatures over 90 degrees, the offense – with both Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye under center – consistently moved the ball, scored in the red zone, and didn’t commit the kind of drive-killing mistakes that had been present earlier in camp.

Brissett, still the quarterback atop the depth chart, got the most reps. According to the tracking of the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan , he went 16-of-26 overall. The highlight of his day came during a two-minute drill when he capped off an 11-play drive with a touchdown pass to DeMario Douglas with just seconds left on the clock.

“Obviously a big focus on two-minute today,” Brissett said. “You hope you don’t have to go 11 plays, but guys are battling through adversity and pushing through the elements. Obviously a long day of practice, but guys were making plays at the end. I know those are things we’re going to need throughout the season. A lot of guys on that drive stepped up.”

Speaking of Douglas, the second-year receiver took part in 11-on-11 drills for the first time and was a clear difference-maker all day. While other receivers have flashed on and off this camp, it seems pretty clear at this point that the man known as “Pop” is going to be the most consistent pass-catcher in this offense, even if he’s not always the flashiest.

“It’s been great,” Brissett said when asked about the difference Douglas makes. “Obviously I have to learn how to throw to a little shorter guy a little bit more. But his explosiveness, what he can do in stretching the field, he’s obviously a weapon for us. … His energy is contagious.”

Maye was the clear two behind Brissett when it came to the number of reps he got, but he made the most of the work he did get, completing 10-of-14 passes overall and 7-of-9 during 11-on-11 play. Most of those completions were short ones, which has been a theme for him so far, but he was nonetheless efficient and did throw for two touchdowns during red-zone practice.

Maye said after practice that he’s getting more comfortable and believes opportunities to air the ball out will be right around the corner.

“Just trying to be smart with it,” Maye said. “I feel like I throw the football well down the field. Still haven’t really aired it out yet, but I think it’s coming. … If it’s not there, just make the right read.”

For the second straight day, the “starting” offensive line lined up as Vederian Lowe at left tackle, Sidy Sow at left guard, David Andrews at center, Michael Onwenu at right guard, and Chukwuma Okorafor at right tackle. The group has started to provide better protection after giving up too many pressures and sacks earlier in camp.

“The guys are practicing hard, especially the guys up front, the O-line,” Maye said. “They’re out there sweating. They probably have the hardest job fighting guys every play. … The quarterback’s kind of got the easier job just standing back there. I thought we had a good day.”

One final offensive player who deserved some recognition Friday would be running back Antonio Gibson, who was heavily involved in both the run game and the pass game. He consistently gave Brissett and Maye an open checkdown option, and was able to turn several of those short passes into some good yardage.

It’s only a couple good days, and no one should be penciling the Patriots offense in for 30 points a game anytime soon, but the group needed to show some progress, and that at least has happened the last two days.