PATROTS NOTEBOOK: Maye says throwing shoulder is fine
Patriots QB Drake Maye shook off rumors that he has an injured shoulder in a Boston radiio interview on Tuesday. (AP photo)
Drake Maye says his throwing shoulder is fine.
Maybe it’s not 100 percent, but the Patriots quarterback said Tuesday he’ll be available for the Super Bowl.
During his weekly appearance on Boston’s WEEI-FM, Maye addressed the state of his shoulder in response to online speculation that he was injured during New England’s 10-7 AFC championship game victory over Denver.
“I’m feeling good. … I don’t think it’s from the game,” he said. “I think it’s just the buildup of throwing, including training camp, 30 weeks straight of throwing and four days a week. It can add up. But I got some extra rest and I’m feeling good and ready to go for the Super Bowl.”
He said it was “too early to tell” whether he might be limited in any practices leading up to the Super Bowl against Seattle on Feb. 8. The Patriots return to practice on Thursday.
“I think that everybody, including Drake, is not 100 percent at this part of the year,” coach Mike Vrabel said. “We’ll do everything that we can to help our players be prepared and get ready for this game.”
Maye went 10 of 21 for 86 yards against the Broncos. He also ran 10 times for 65 yards and a touchdown. The second-year QB has not missed a game this season.
Neither the Patriots nor Vrabel reported any injury sustained by Maye during Sunday’s game.
“I wouldn’t say that anybody hurt anything. Again, this is a sport where there’s going to be things that come up.,” Vrabel said. “We’ll talk about whatever status each player has for the game once we’re required to. We understand that. But we were able to function offensively, throw the football, run the football. So, that’s kind of where everybody’s at.”
GONZALEZ HAPPY TO REWARD FANS
Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez said he’s glad the Patriots have turned things around, especially since that’s what the fans have been used to.
“It’s been cool,” he said. “It’s been real cool to give the city and this town something to be happy and cheer about. They deserve it. The city is used to winning, so getting back to where we want to be is big.
“The first two years, you know, we had to go through some things, but we’re excited where we’re at now. This team is super close and we put a lot of work in. We just want to go out there and finish it.”
VRABEL MAPS OUT SCHEDULE
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel mapped out the schedule for his team, including some rest, as he wants everyone in good shape.
“Yeah, we have to get healthy. We have to get healthy,” he said. “Staying the day, I think, helped us get a little bit of rest so we didn’t get back late or try to sleep on a plane.
“We’ll get moving around tomorrow. They’ll lift, run and work out tomorrow, do some light football drills. The players will run those. I’ll run the conditioning, things like that. And then we’ll practice Thursday and Friday. Give them an opportunity to take a day off on Saturday, and then travel Sunday.”
But some light work still.
“Get some movement in, probably light movement back in the weight room before we travel,” Vrabel said. “And then Monday will be like a bonus day, which we’ve used for coming off of a bye week to kind of do some drills and just some movement. And then Tuesday off. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, just try to keep it like a normal week.”
Except, as everyone knows, the week leading up to the Super Bowl is anything but normal.
BARMORE ARRAIGNMENT POSTPONED
Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore, who was scheduled to be arraigned next Tuesday, Feb 3 on a charge of assault and battery on a family/household member, was granted by an Attleboro District Court judge a motion to reschedule the arraignment unit March 9.
That effectively clears the way for Barmore to play in the Super Bowl.
The charge is the result of an alleged altercation with his girlfriend in August. Barmore is accused of grabbing a phone out of her hand and throwing her to the floor. No charges were filed until Sept. 9 and a criminal complaint was issued on Dec. 16.
(Telegraph Staff Writer Tom King contributed to this report.)


