Patriot coach Mike Vrabel talks to the media after his team's preseason opening win over the Washington Commanders Friday night at Gillette Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Here are a few takeaways from Friday night’s New England Patriots preseason opening blowout of the Washington Commanders:

First, rookie left tackle Will Campbell looked OK, got beat once along with rookie left guard Jared Wilson on the Drake Maye fumble. But on the first couple of plays, Campbell was going at it, blocking long after the play was over. That is something Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel loved.

“I think the play demeanor showed. I think there was a game, maybe a pass-rush game, that looked like to me, and those are some things that we’ll continue to work hard on,” Vrabel said. “We were able to pick ’em up in the practice. They ran a few of ’em over there against us in practice. We just have to be able to carry that execution into the game.

“I certainly did see their play demeanor kind of stand out. I think that’s a good place to start, is with that. Being downfield, finishing through the whistle and everything, we embrace that here.”

— The unsung hero of training camp who also played well on Friday with an interception is cornerback D.J. James. The former Seahawk, who was signed to a reserve/future contract by the Patriots in early January after spending the season on the practice squad has gotten some time thanks to Christian Gonzalez’s injury and made the most of it.

“I think it’s always exciting to see players that take advantage of opportunities,” Vrabel said. “Since DJ was one of the players that was here for rookie minicamp, I would say since that day, that weekend, he’s continued to improve. I think he’s taken advantage of that.

“So I’m always for players that get better, take coaching. It’s on them obviously to improve. That’s all to DJ’s credit. So, I’m excited for him, that he can put in the work and start to see it translate onto the field.”

—- Of course Efton Chism III continues to make a name for himself as a rookie free agent. Can he make the team? It will be tough, especially if Javon Baker carves out a role for himself. But if Maye has anything to say about it he will.

“He’s a baller,” Maye said. “I mean, he loves coming up and asking me questions about routes. He loves talking football. He’s just a football player.”

“I think his play strength stood out to me from the sideline,” Vrabel said. “I think it’s the way he blocks, his ability to catch the ball in traffic. The ball was basically tipped or bobbled coming out of Ben’s hand. Kind of ran through a tackle and ran through contact. We threw him a screen. So those are all positive things. I think his play strength to me is what stood out.”

Chism was nervous, but then just tried to put himself in situations he’s already been in. It worked.

“I think at the end of the day it’ football,” he said. “I kind of tought about it being back at my high school, being at my college.Being loose, beeing free and going out and play.”

— If you had to pick between Javon Baker and Ja’Lynn Polk making the team, the money’s on Baker. Polk got hurt Friday night while Baker was able to play on special teams.

“Yeah, I think that’s fantastic,” Vrabel said. “When you have players, especially receivers, that can create a role, that can help you, be big, physical, everything that we see out of Javon as a receiver, when they can embrace that as special teams players, guys that are big and physical and fast and willing, that translates to special teams.

“Excited. Just happy for Javon just being able to go out there and contribute. When you do those things, your teammates get excited. Hopefully his confidence continues to grow.”

— One more thing about the Brady statue: The Patriots might want to have some security on the Plaza after games/events. Fans were standing up on the platform at the base of the statue (where Brady’s feet are) to get photos. Probably not the best thing, but who knows. Maybe a sign could do the trick. Just a thought.