It was the primary time since Jan. 2, 2000, that the Patriots performed with out Invoice Belichick on the sideline.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Drake Maye, the third total decide within the 2024 draft, performed one collection in his debut with New England on Thursday night time, and the Patriots performed their first recreation in 24 years with out Invoice Belichick as coach, beating the Carolina Panthers 17-3 in a preseason recreation.
New England’s new coach, 38-year-old Jerod Mayo, wearing a white short-sleeved Patriots’ pullover, grew to become the NFL’s youngest coach when he was employed on Jan. 12, in the future after Belichick agreed to depart as coach and left the group.
It was the primary time since Jan. 2, 2000, that the Patriots performed with out Belichick on the sideline. He led them to 6 Tremendous Bowl titles.
“That was at all times the plan,” Mayo stated of Maye’s quick stint. “The plan was to get him in there for one collection.”
Carolina additionally performed its first recreation beneath a brand new coach, with Dave Canales making his debut because the franchise’s seventh.
“Tonight was about our first-time guys, the rookies, the blokes that haven’t had an opportunity to play within the NFL. I believe what they discovered tonight is: it’s simply soccer. They ran they usually performed exhausting,” Canales stated after not taking part in any of his first-teamers. ”For me, it was only a nice alternative to have the ability to discuss to the coaches, discuss to the officers. … It was simply nice reps for me to simply get the circulation how the communication occurs and having the ability to work all by means of that.”
Panthers quarterback Bryce Younger, the highest decide of the 2023 draft, didn’t play. Projected backup Andy Dalton was sidelined with a strained quadriceps.
Maye trotted onto the sphere with mild rain falling for the Patriots’ second collection and acquired a pleasant ovation from the sparse crowd. He accomplished his first try, a display screen to Antonio Gibson for 13-yard pickup. He was excessive on his first throw down the sphere, ending his night time 2 for 3 for 19 yards.
“I believe I used to be somewhat nervous,” Maye stated. “I believe when you’re not getting nervous, then it does not imply one thing to you. That is how I have a look at it. I believe nerves are an excellent factor. After you get that first snap, they blow the whistle on the finish of the primary play, you sort of settle in.”
The gang booed when Bailey Zappe got here onto the sphere for the Patriots’ third collection. Possible season-opening starter Jacoby Brissett went 0 for 3 within the first collection.
“When it was taking place the other method, it actually did not hassle me,” stated Zappe, who was a fan favourite final season when many wished former Pats’ QB Mac Jones benched. “When it is taking place this manner, it did not hassle me in any respect, both.”
Zappe, who performed an excellent portion of final 12 months, went 12 for 20 for 108 yards. Rookie Joe Milton III, a sixth-round decide from Tennessee, performed the ultimate quarter and a half, thrilling the gang with a few scrambles. He was 4 of 6 for 54 yards, together with a 38-yard TD.
Jack Plummer accomplished 11 of 21 passes for 86 yards for the Panthers, and Mike Boone, one among seven backs presently on the roster, had eight carries for 34 yards.
For some Patriots followers not seeing Belichick on the sideline felt uncommon.
“It’s completely different. That’s why we’re right here tonight as a result of I wish to see what we’ve acquired,” stated 61-year-old Fran Vicino, who has held Patriots season tickets for 10 years.
In a matchup of the NFL’s two lowest-scoring groups final season — they each averaged 13.9 factors — New England took a 7-0 lead on Kevin Harris’ 2-yard TD run halfway into the second quarter after Zappe hit Kayshon Boutte with a 28-yard toss down the left sideline.
Carolina completed with the worst document final 12 months, going 2-15. The Patriots have been tied for second-poorest, at 4-13, with Washington.
Patriots nook Christian Gonzalez, a 2023 first-round decide who had his promising rookie season lower quick by a shoulder harm, began and performed the opening two collection.
Panthers: Defensive deal with Jaden Crumedy suffered an ankle harm and proper deal with Badara Traore harm his knee.
Patriots: None introduced.
Panthers: Host the Jets of their second preseason recreation on August 17.
Patriots: Host the Eagles on August 15.
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