All eyes are on AJ Brown during Patriots’ training camp
A.J. Brown has only been with the New England Patriots for a short time, but he’s already making training camp feel a little more exciting. That’s what happens when a blockbuster trade goes down.
All eyes have been on Brown in Foxborough, where his daily battles with star cornerback Christian Gonzalez have quickly become one of the most entertaining storylines of camp. The two went at it during competitive 1-on-1 drills last week, and things eventually boiled over into a heated exchange and brief scuffle. Teammates even had to step in and separate them. But that’s water under the bridge now, and Brown says he has nothing but respect for his teammate.
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Frankly, that’s probably not the worst thing for the Patriots. Brown has never been shy about playing with an edge, and Gonzalez isn’t exactly the type of cornerback who’s going to back down from a challenge. Those battles should make both players better, even if everyone would probably prefer they keep the punches in spirit, not in the flesh.
A.J. Brown Is Already Finding His Groove With Drake Maye
The more important development, though, is what’s happening between Brown and quarterback Drake Maye. Maye has leaned on his new receiver during team drills, with the two connecting on back-shoulder fades and red-zone opportunities, per reports. That’s exactly the sort of connection New England hoped it was getting when it brought Brown aboard.
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The Patriots have needed a true No. 1 receiver, and Brown gives Maye something quarterbacks tend to appreciate very quickly: a big, physical target who can make difficult catches and isn’t afraid to go get the football.
For a young quarterback entering an important season, having Brown on the other end could speed things up considerably. There’s still lots of work to do before the Patriots start playing games that actually count. But if Brown’s early camp performances are any indication, he’s already bringing some much-needed attitude to the offense.
