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Patriots' Drake Maye discusses playing style after concussion scare
After New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye entered the NFL's concussion protocol during the club's Week 8 win over the New York Jets on Oct. 27, New England offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt made it known he didn't love the idea of Maye completing a plethora of designed run plays during games.
Maye cleared the concussion protocol to rush the ball eight times for 95 yards in this past Sunday's 20-17 overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans that dropped New England to 2-7 on the season. During a Monday afternoon appearance on Boston sports radio station WEEI, Maye echoed Van Pelt's take about how and when he'll make plays with his legs.
"I think kind of just dropping back there, taking advantage of the rush lanes, and little things like that, finding enough ways to make plays with my feet and trying to extend plays...I think we have enough of that in our offense," Maye said, as Karen Guregian of MassLive shared. "I think running the football is tough on my body."
Maye's ability to scramble away from defenders allowed him to throw a highlight-reel touchdown pass on the final play of regulation against the Titans. Add in that he's rushed for 209 total yards and a score on 21 carries this season, and one may assume Van Pelt and Co. would want to use Maye as a dual-threat weapon.
Of course, the Jets-Patriots game offered a reminder that Maye is just one hit away from becoming a spectator for longer than a play. Perhaps that's why he suggested on Monday he's just fine with letting running backs Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson and JaMycal Hasty get the bulk of the carries in games such as this coming Sunday's contest at the 4-4 Chicago Bears.
"I think you want to give him the ball and let him run rather than me," Maye said about Stevenson serving as New England's primary ball carrier.
The Patriots selected Maye third overall in this year's draft, hoping he would develop into a long-term franchise quarterback who wins games with his arm. Thus, it makes sense that the club's owners want to limit Maye's punishment during a losing season for the organization.
More must-reads:
- Patriots' Drake Maye addresses controversial extra-point decision in loss to Titans
- Watch: Patriots QB Drake Maye tosses absurd TD pass to send game to OT
- The 'No. 3 NFL draft pick' quiz
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Steelers' Troy Fautanu Admits To Internal Beef That Has Been Obvious Throughout Training Camp
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been easing their way into training camp ahead of the 2025 season. The players have just been wearing helmets and shorts, and the pads will come on soon. Pittsburgh's training camp is always known as being one of the most intense in the league, and that is because Head Coach Mike Tomlin has his team go full contact, which is something other coaches around the NFL try to avoid. The pads will come on on Tuesday, and fans should expect to see some skirmishes as emotions rise throughout the rest of camp. Practices in just helmets and shorts are difficult for the big guys in the trenches. It is essentially impossible to simulate blocking without pads on, so the defenders and offensive linemen are itching for when the team gets to go full contact. Second-year offensive lineman Troy Fautanu spoke to the media on Sunday, and he shared how things have been going at practice, while also noting that the two sides of the ball have been going at it. "You know, there's a lot of banter going on between the offense and the defense right now." Fautanu said. "As you guys could tell yesterday, things got a little rowdy. I mean, that's something that's normal. I'm super excited just to finally be able to play real football, because as an offensive lineman it's the worst thing to play football in shorts and t-shirts." Fautanu is probably itching to get back to full contact more than others after missing nearly all of his rookie season in 2024. He played in one game in Week 2 before suffering a knee injury that kept him out for the rest of the year. Tuesday will be the first time he gets to put the pads on and get truly physical in nearly a year. The way he described things, it sounds like there will probably be some confrontations as the offense and defense have already been going at it. Training camp is going to be a true test for Fautanu. He is the team's starting right tackle going into the season, and the organization is relying on the offensive line to take a step forward. He needs to try to live up to his first-round label, and he is going to have to do so while blocking TJ Watt in every practice. Watt is going to be moving around the defensive formation more often than usual, but most of his snaps will come when he is lined up over the right tackle. Fautanu is going to be tested on every snap, and if he can handle Watt, he can handle anyone in the league. Having to go up against Watt every day in practice is good for Fautanu in the long run. Practicing against the best is only going to make him better, and he won't have to block anyone during the 2025 regular season that is as good of a pass rusher as Watt. Steelers' Fautanu Could Solidify 2024 Draft For Pittsburgh It is already looking like the Steelers made a ton of right decisions during the 2024 NFL Draft. Zach Frazier had a spectacular rookie season in 2024, and he is looking like he could be one of the best centers in the league. Mason McCormick was a pleasant surprise at right tackle when he was thrust into the starting lineup, and it seems he has gotten considerably better over the course of the 2025 offseason. If Fautanu can prove he is the starting right tackle of the future for the Steelers, then the organization would have nailed three cornerstones of the franchise in just one draft. All contenders have solid offensive lines, and it looks like the Steelers might have one that could be great in the near future.
New suitor emerges for Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez
The Arizona Diamondbacks have plenty of suitors for third baseman Eugenio Suarez. A new team has reportedly entered the market for his services. Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Phillies have reached out regarding Suarez. While Lauber did not provide any indication as to whether or not those talks have gained traction, the Phillies are an intriguing suitor for the Diamondbacks' third baseman. The Phillies' interest may be a recent development. Jon Heyman of the New York Post speculated on Friday that the Phillies could emerge as a suitor in the wake of third baseman Alec Bohm landing on the injured list with a fractured left rib. Suarez is in the midst of what is arguably his best season thus far. He has produced a .249/.321/.587 batting line in 421 plate appearances entering Saturday with 36 homers and a major league-leading 87 RBI. Suarez would be more than just another powerful bat in the lineup. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Bryce Harper are both left-handed hitters — adding Suarez would provide more balance in the batting order. He would also provide a counter against opposing managers bringing in a lefty reliever to face Schwarber and Harper. The biggest question would be how the Phillies would handle an eventual logjam on the roster. Bohm is expected to return from the IL in mid-August and would not have a clear path to regular at-bats if Suarez were acquired. Schwarber could theoretically return to left field to open up playing time at the DH spot, but his outfield defense is mediocre at best. However, as the Phillies are also looking to upgrade the outfield, where Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh have been disappointments, adding Suarez could solve several problems in one fell swoop.
Former NBA 1st-Overall Pick Boston Celtics Must Consider Signing
Markelle Fultz played 21 games for the Sacramento Kings during the 2024-25 season. The former Washington star had averages of 2.9 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per contest while shooting 41.8%. This summer, Fultz became a free agent who is available to sign with any team in the league. On July 27, he still remains unsigned. One team who I believe should consider signing Fultz is the Boston Celtics. They are not expected to be a contender for the title (due to Jayson Tatum's injury), so they can use the year to take chances on other players. At this point in the summer, it's likely that Fultz could be signed for a minimum (or non-guaranteed deal). Fultz was initially the first pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. The longest tenure of his eight-year career came with the Orlando Magic (five seasons). During the 2023 season, Fultz had averages of 14.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals per contest while shooting 51.4% from the field and 31.0% from the three-point range in 60 games. The Celtics have a long history of getting the most out of their players. Fultz could end up thriving with stable orginzation such as the Celtics. He will be a name to keep an eye on before the start of training camp. Via The Orlando Magic (on March 18, 2023): "Markelle Fultz in March: 17.0 PTS 4.4 REB 6.3 AST 1.5 STL 55% FG"
Steelers Rising Rookie Suffers Injury at Training Camp
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers lost a tight end as they closed the opening week of training camp, with undrafted rookie DJ Thomas-Jones leaving early with an ankle/foot injury. Thomas-Jones left late in the opening team period, going to with what looked like a left ankle injury. He limped to the sideline to see a trainer, where he was further evaluated. Pat Freiermuth came over to check him, dapping him up before trainers cut off his tape and called a cart over. Thomas-Jones was then helped onto the cart, where he sat shotgun, and was taken off the field. Thomas-Jones is fighting for a roster spot with a loaded tight end room in front of him. The South Alabama product signed a record-setting deal with the Steelers after the 2025 NFL Draft, earning the franchise’s highest signing bonus. With experience at tight end and fullback, Thomas-Jones will be fighting an uphill battle but has the versatility to impress. So far, he’s made plays during both minicamp and training camp that caught everyone’s attention. Without him, J.J. Galbreath will earn extra reps with the backups. Galbreath has turned a lot of heads during the early portions of training camp.
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