Patriots Training Camp Notebook: Demario Douglas Shines In Friday Scrimmage

After four straight days of work, the New England Patriots put the pads on for a scrimmage on Friday. Teams were split into blue and white and drafted by a divided coaching staff.

Here’s what went down throughout the session on the hot and humid fields behind Gillette Stadium.

Attendance

Absent: CB Carlton Davis III, OT Will Campbell, DL Christian Barmore, CB Charles Woods, OG Caedan Wallace, WR Cameron Dorner, FB Reggie Gilliam

Limited: WR A.J. Brown, OT Morgan Moses

Injured: WR Kyle Dixon

PUP/NFI: ED Harold Landry III, S Brenden Schooler

Mike Vrabel provided updates on Carlton Davis and Will Campbell on Friday, saying the cornerback would be out through next week’s preseason game while the offensive tackle is expected back to start next week.

The Patriots were without Christian Barmore and Charles Woods, who each left practice early on Thursday, while Reggie Gilliam continues to see his workload managed. UDFA wide receiver Kyle Dixon did depart the scrimmage early with a trainer. Rookie offensive tackle Caleb Lomu also briefly departed albeit due to an apparent equipment malfunction.

Takeaways

Teams: With the roster divided in half, head coaches Terrell Williams (Team White) and Tony Dews (Team Blue) were in charge of drafting the roster. The only two rules: Drake Maye and center Jared Wilson must be together, while best friends Mack Hollins and Efton Chism are also a duo.

As for the rest of the rosters, Team Blue was led by A.J. Brown, Christian Gonzalez and Milton Williams — as an emphasis on skill positions also gave them DeMario Douglas, Hollins and Chism, Rhamondre Stevenson, Hunter Henry, Marcus Jones, Craig Woodson and Kevin Byard. Team White, meanwhile, had an emphasis in the trenches with Caleb Lomu, Andrew Rupcich, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, and Morgan Moses protecting Drake Maye, who largely threw to Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, TreVeyon Henderson, and Eli Raridon. Dre’Mont Jones and Gabe Jacas then anchored their pass rush.

For the rest of the coaching staff, quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant and safeties coach Scott Booker coordinated Team White, while wide receivers coach Todd Downing and cornerbacks coach Justin Hamilton coordinated Team Blue.

DeVito and Pop: Drake Maye’s squad found themselves in an early deficit, much to do with Tommy DeVito and DeMario Douglas’ connection Team Blue. DeVito’s second drive ended with a slant touchdown to Douglas and the duo later scored on a corner route when drives started inside the red area.

Douglas was then on scene for one last big play in two-minute work, as the first play from scrimmage saw him streak up the seam and get behind the defense for a 50-plus yard gain to immediately put the team in field goal range.

DeVito, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Friday, also had strong completions to A.J. Brown on a play-action slant, Mack Hollins on a downfield flea-flicker, and two in-rhythm passes to Efton Chism.

Maye’s offense: It was a slow start to the day for Drake Maye, whose first two drives ended in “punts” with multiple throwaways. The quarterback then led an eight-play scoring drive, which featured a seam shot to Eli Raridon, fourth-down conversion to Nick DeGennaro, and a touchdown on a play-action crosser to Romeo Doubs.

Maye then ended his day with successful red zone and two-minute periods. He needed just one pass in the red zone as he connected with TreVeyon Henderson for a touchdown on a corner route, before working into field goal range with 1:05 on the clock behind multiple check-downs and a chunk play to Kyle Williams — who received notable praise from Mike Vrabel before the session — over the middle of the field.

Other notes:

• With Will Campbell sidelined, Caleb Lomu repped at left tackle for Team White with Morgan Moses on the right side. As the veteran was limited, James Hudson worked at right tackle.
• Team Blue’s offensive line: Marcus Bryant, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Ben Brown, JonDarius Morgan, Dametrious Crownover.
• Partnered with Drake Maye, rookie tight end Eli Raridon caught three passes — one explosive up the seam and two check downs to kick start the two-minute drive.
• Perhaps the play of the day: a pass to wide receiver Tejhaun Palmer that was bobbled and nabbed out of the air by running back Myles Montgomery, who then took it for a 40-ish yard gain.
• The explosive play by Montgomery helped Behren Morton’s first drive end in a field goal. The rookie QB’s second drive did not goes as well, as it ended with a bad snap, sack, and near interception but Khalil Jacobs.
• Working on Team White, Gabe Jacas continued to be noticeable along the edge recording an early pressure against fellow rookie Dametrious Crownover and at least half a sack later with Leonard Taylor III, who also had a batted pass.
• UDFA pass rusher Xavier Holmes also remains impressive along the edge with a sack and pass breakup.
• Another day, another strong showing for defensive lineman Joshua Farmer with two more run stuffs.
• Veteran cornerback Kindle Vildor has two early pass breakups in coverage on A.J. Brown. Brandon Crossley, Marcus Jones, and Channing Canada also recorded pass breakups in the secondary.
• In total, Andy Borregales went 4-of-5 on field goals — with a max distance appearing to be 54 yards — and connected on 1-of-2 extra points.
• The Patriots will be off this weekend before returning to work on Monday. Practice will start at 10:15 a.m. ET and be closed to the public before the Indianapolis Colts come to town on Tuesday.