FOXBORO — Garrett Bradbury is an outspoken member of the Drake Maye fan membership.
The brand new Patriots middle raved about Maye’s maturity and strategy after Friday’s coaching camp apply.
“I can’t consider how mature he’s at such a younger age,” Bradbury mentioned. “I spent numerous time with him this spring, and I’ve to remind myself he’s 22, proper? I imply, he’s mild years forward of the place I used to be as a rookie, the place most rookies I’ve seen (are). When it comes to his strategy, his mentality, he doesn’t act like a 22-year-old. He understands the burden of the place he performs.”
Bradbury, 30, spent six seasons as Minnesota’s beginning middle earlier than being launched this offseason and touchdown in New England. He mentioned Maye usually asks him questions on former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins.
“He’s all the time selecting my mind,” Bradbury mentioned. “I acquired to play with Kirk Cousins for a very long time, who’s phenomenal. He’s a professional’s professional, did all the things the suitable manner. So (Maye) is saying, ‘What would Kirk consider this? What have been his preparations like with this?’ So any manner I might help him, that’s why I’m right here, as a result of I feel everybody is aware of he’s acquired a vivid future.”
Maye’s management and tact as a second-year professional have impressed Bradbury.
“From a management standpoint, (I’ve observed) the way in which he’s commanding the huddle, the way in which he’s calling the workforce up, getting on guys within the offense in the suitable manner,” he mentioned. “Like I mentioned, he’s 22, he has a couple of video games beneath his belt, so you may’t go round barking at guys, telling them what to do. So he toes that line completely. He understands that simply by the character of that place, you have got a voice, you have got management, so use that in the suitable methods to get everyone on the identical web page, and we are able to transfer this factor ahead.”
Bradbury is the favourite to start out at middle for the Patriots after signing a two-year, $9.5 million contract, however he’ll must beat out third-round draft decide Jared Wilson. Wilson, whom head coach Mike Vrabel known as “a fast learner,” has seen outstanding reps at middle and guard in his first NFL coaching camp.
“I feel what Vrabel loves most is competitors,” Bradbury mentioned. “It’s the perfect factor you might have as a soccer workforce. It’s going to make me higher, it’s going to make him higher, it’s going to make everybody higher. I feel then again, I don’t know if I’ve ever performed on a line the place all 5 guys performed each snap that entire yr, so it’s essential to construct depth, too. The extra good soccer gamers you have got, the extra video games you’re going to win, in order that’s what coaching camp’s about. Everybody must earn a task. No matter that position is, you’ve acquired to earn it.”
Initially Revealed: