Elusive Harmony?
Spring practices have concluded, wrapping up on June 12, signaling the end of an important developmental phase for the Patriots. The rookie class completed an additional 10 days of strength and conditioning work, paving the way for the first practice of training camp set for July 24.
Amidst these preparations, starting defensive tackle Davon Godchaux is looking to renegotiate his contract. Godchaux is in the final season of a two-year, $20.8 million extension. Meanwhile, Joshua Uche was seen working alone during 11-on-11 drills, which could indicate individual focus or preparation for a specific role. On a more positive note, Matthew Judon participated fully in mandatory minicamp and is set to earn $7.5 million. On the administrative side, Eliot Wolf and Jerod Mayo have significant contracts and negotiations to handle ahead of the season.
Maye's Plan
Drake Maye plans to spend the next few weeks back in North Carolina, balancing family time with preparing for training camp. Maye will work closely with Clyde Christensen at UNC, aiming to hone his skills and return to the Patriots in peak condition.
Stevenson's Growth
Rhamondre Stevenson has been offered a four-year extension worth $36 million, with $17 million of that guaranteed. Stevenson's impressive performance, including 107 receptions which ranked him sixth among NFL running backs, seems to justify the lucrative extension.
'Buy-In' at Newsome Forum
At the Newsome Forum, Brandon Brown emphasized the need for tangible evidence of player buy-in. Despite being unproven as a head coach, Jerod Mayo has connected well with players, which bodes well for team cohesion and morale.
Pioli's Presence
Scott Pioli's attendance at the GM Forum and QB Coaching Summit stood out. These events aim to elevate and develop experienced coaches of color, and Pioli’s passionate support for the initiative was evident.
Another Brady Ring
In a heartfelt gesture, Robert Kraft presented Tom Brady with a special ring commemorating his 20 years with the franchise. This event was part of Brady's Patriots Hall of Fame induction, with Mike Tirico calling it the "greatest retirement event of an athlete."
Fantasy Rankings
The Patriots boast several high-ranking players in fantasy football. Rhamondre Stevenson is the highest-rated skill position player, ranking as the No. 18 running back in PPR leagues. Hunter Henry is ranked as the No. 21 tight end, Drake Maye as the No. 23 quarterback, and DeMario Douglas as the No. 60 receiver. The Patriots hope that their perceived lack of firepower in the fantasy world will not translate to the real one.
Ace of Clubs
Bryce Baringer has qualified for the 2024 Massachusetts Amateur Championship. He made a dramatic 25-foot birdie putt on the final hole to secure his spot in the championship set for July 8.
Did You Know? Part I
Christian Elliss has two brothers on NFL rosters, making the Elliss brothers one of the two families with three siblings currently active in the NFL. The other family is the Sewell family.
Did You Know? Part II
The Patriots rank seventh in the NFL in total guaranteed money for running backs at $22.6 million, illustrating their strong financial commitment to this position.
Quotes
"You're going to start setting your precedent organizationally of who you are and what you're going to be."
"If you extend a player that just finished up Year 3, every agent in the country is going to call and say, 'I saw you just did a guy after three years, my guy is available too.'"
"Or, 'My guy is going to be available next year.' You just have to make a decision [on] what's going to be your consistency."
"Obviously, quarterback blurs that line a little bit because of that position, but everything else, everyone is watching how you handle certain things and how you negotiate in certain ways."
"What kind of contracts do you do? They're all putting together their book to come into your organization and say, 'Look, I've seen you do this, this, and this, that's why I want this, this, and that.'
"The hardest part is making sure you're making the right choices for your club. It's stressful."
"It's your first time, and you know how important it is to the head coach and your longevity."