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The Eye on Foxborough Newsletter

June 13, 2025

Drake Maye (AP Photo)

Kicking off

The Patriots have gone through several weeks of OTAs, and just concluded a three-day mandatory minicamp.

They won't be at Gillette Stadium again until the start of training camp July 23rd.

At the very least, they've piqued curiosity with their play and their charismatic head coach Mike Vrabel.

They've also drawn unwanted attention thanks to the off-field exploits of their diva receiver, Stefon Diggs.

In between it all, they've already managed to do something last year's team couldn't do at this stage - create expectations.

And they're growing.

When asked how he felt about trying to meet those expectations, and trying to hit that bar, Patriots second-year quarterback Drake Maye didn't flinch.

"You want high expectations. I think that's what you want," Maye said during his media availability Monday. "I think this city, you know, the Patriots are used to winning, and that's what we're trying to get back to. I think you want people to expect you to play well. I think that pressure is what fuels you to be out here, what fuels you to get the rep right in practice. It’s what fuels you to work hard in the meetings, the weight room, or not let what happened last year happen again."

Having another 4-13 season would be a disaster especially with expectations growing by the minute. At this stage, many have them doubling that win total. Some have them winning even more.

As Maye said, it's better to go in with lofty expectations. 

Whether the Patriots live up to them remains to be seen.

Here are some links from the week …  

Mike Vrabel doesn’t want everyone to like Drake Maye | Karen Guregian

 Drake Maye wants to target All-Pro cornerback in Patriots practice

Patriots’ Stefon Diggs comments on viral boat party video

The Stefon Diggs/Mike Vrabel dynamic bears watching | Karen Guregian

Stefon Diggs on Patriots coach Mike Vrabel: ‘You want to run through a wall for him’

Stefon Diggs making positive impression on Patriots teammates

Stefon Diggs has a head start with Josh McDaniels’ Patriots offense

Patriots star: Playing with ‘a lot of fire in my heart’ because ‘people forget who I am’

John Streicher’s game-day role for Patriots coach Mike Vrabel comes into focus

Talented Patriots pass rushers have helped Will Campbell this offseason

Undrafted rookie receiver is Patriots biggest surprise of the spring

How Mike Vrabel surprised veteran Patriots WR: ‘It’s a different culture’

To what degree is Mike Vrabel driven by analytics? Patriots coach offers his take

Patriots reveal training camp schedule: Here’s when fans can watch practice

Tom Brady and Danny Amendola (AP Photo)

The 39-year-old Amendola lives in Austin, Texas these days and is trying his hand in the real estate market.

Amendola is partnered with architect Matt Garcia, a fellow Texas Tech grad, to build houses in Austin’s booming market.

Amendola had spent a year working as a coach. In 2023, Amendola was hired by the Raiders to work under Patriots coach Josh McDaniels. Amendola served as a coaching assistant and worked with returners. Amendola says he enjoyed coaching.

But after one year, he hung up his whistle for now to follow other pursuits. His most recent high-profile activity was participating in season 33 of “Dancing With the Stars,” which ran in the fall of 2024. Amendola, who was partnered with professional dancer Witney Carson, finished in fifth place.

— Nick O'Malley

 Here is this week's highlighted question:

Were you impressed by any of the rookies during the recent camps? — Franklin in Medfield

Guregian: First off, getting a true gauge about any football player is tough when the practices aren't padded. We're going to get a much better idea when the pads come on during training camp.

That said, I've been impressed with several rookies. While it's way too soon to know if Will Campbell is going to be able to handle left tackle, I can tell you he moves incredibly well from side-to-side. That jumps off the page. He's highly competitive, has held his own in a non-padded setting, and has been a willing listener (Veteran Morgan Moses has been conducting tutorials after practice). 

After Campbell, safety Craig Woodson really looks the part roaming the defensive backfield. It looks like they could plug him in right away, or he provides valuable depth.

Then there's running back TreVeyon Henderson. He can catch the football, and his burst after catch is noticeable.

NOTE: MassLive columnist Karen Guregian will answer reader questions in this space weekly. If you have questions on the Patriots, NFL, or anything else, email Karen at kguregian@masslive.com or tweet to @kguregian.

Julian Edelman (AP Photo)

Here’s when Julian Edelman will be inducted into Patriots Hall of Fame

Patriots announce details to unveil Tom Brady statue

Patriots WR ‘loves’ Josh McDaniels’ offense, watching Julian Edelman film

Why Tom Brady thinks Mike Vrabel will succeed as Patriots coach

Veteran offensive lineman retires, leaves Patriots

Mac Jones hopes to use ‘scars’ from New England as power to revive career

NOTE: If you like what you see here, make sure to follow MassLive's Patriots reporters Chris Mason and Mark Daniels and columnists Karen Guregian, Matt Vautour and Sean McAdam and Nick O'Malley on Twitter. You should also bookmark MassLive's Patriots page and like our Patriots page on Facebook. 

MORE MASSLIVE SPORTS COVERAGE:

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Red Sox rookie Roman Anthony makes highlight-reel catch, robs Rays of hit

 Alex Cora explains why Roman Anthony is hitting fifth, playing right field in Red Sox debut

Jaylen Brown injury: Boston Celtics release update on star’s knee

Boston Celtics trade rumors: Jrue Holiday price tag revealed (report)

Celtics face daunting path to land cap relief for Jayson Tatum injury

What can Bruins expect from Marco Sturm? New coach weighs in

Boston Bruins ‘aggressively’ looking to next move after Marco Sturm hiring

What Marco Sturm plans to address ‘right away’ with Boston Bruins offense

You're all caught up.

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