Sunday Patriots Notes: New defensive scheme, new success for linebacker Marte Mapu

A 53-man roster and 17-member practice squad are set which officially turns the New England Patriots attention to Week 1 of the regular season.Naturally, most of our attention this week was on roster cut down day and the coinciding moves, which is where are focus will be in our weekly wrap-up before the page is turned to the Las Vegas Raiders.With that said, welcome to the latest edition of our Sunday Patriots Notes.Mapu at linebackerSince entering the league as a third-round pick in 2023, Marte Mapu has bounced back and forth between safety and linebacker.

That was largely due to his skillset, as Mapu has the size step down into the box and the athleticism to hang in the backend.But under new head coach Mike Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, that flexibility is now being channeled in one direction: linebacker.Despite being listed at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, Mapu shared he is playing closer to 215 pounds this season more in-line of the prototype for a second-level defender in Vrabels system.

And even after missing a period of time this summer, Vrabel has been left impressed by Mapus approach to the change.Hes been a core special teams player, and has worked at some spots on the inside, and I think that hes continued to develop, Vrabel said.

I think he worked extremely hard when he was away to get back in there and to be ready to go, and showed us a lot by getting ready to go for the Giants game.

So, clearly shows that he wants to earn a role, and is trying to do that.After not being able to build off a strong preseason opener due to injury, Mapu returned for the Patriots preseason finale and picked up where he left off.In addition to showing his coverage skills and closing speed to break up a pass to a running back, Mapu tallied four tackles as showed improved block-shedding against the run.Now that Im down there all the time thats something I had to add to my game.

If I wasnt able to get off blocks then I probably wouldnt be here right now to be honest, Mapu said.

When I first was told that I was going to be moving into the linebacker room, thats something that I immediately just started trying to be intent about.

Ask questions about, and then just practice.

It was mostly just trying to rep it.Playing closer to the line of scrimmage isnt entirely new for the 25-year-old.

During his time at Sacramento State, Mapu was often used in the box and played in space.

That has helped the ease the transition, along with guidance from teammates.In college, I was a nickel, so they would move me in the box, outside the box, he said.

I was more used to playing out in space, but as time went on this year Ive gotten more comfortable in having people like [Spillane] and [Jahlani Tavai].

People that have been able to walk me through the game.

Thats helped me a lot.

So now I feel way more comfortable.

But at first, it was something different for sure.Securing his spot on the Patriots 53-man roster, Mapu will remain a core special teamer often serving as the top personnel protector in practice while continuing his adjustment at linebacker.With just four players currently in the linebacker room, limited depth could eventually push him into a more prominent defensive role, especially with the attacking style of play favoring Mapus skillset.Its just the simplicity of it.

You dont have to read stuff as much.

You just get more downhill, he explained.

I feel like [the coaches] make it pretty simple.

Just the way that things are structured is not too hard to learn.Claiming connectionsSeveral of New Englands offseason additions in free agency were players with ties to the front office or coaching staff.

That included a handful of Mike Vrabels former Titans (Harold Landry, Robert Spillane, etc.).As the Patriots then made a pair of waiver claims following cut down day, both players featured familiarity with the new front office; Patriots Vice President of Player Personnel was in New York when the Giants drafted quarterback Tommy DeVito, while Vice president of football operations and strategy John Streicher spent last season in Los Angeles when the Rams signed cornerback Charles Woods as an undrafted free agent.Weve had coaches and personnel people throughout the League at different spots, whether that be me, [John Streicher] Stretch, our coaches, Ryan or anybody.

I think thats just one part of the evaluation, having some working knowledge of what the players done in the building, Mike Vrabel explained.

How are they day-to-day? We can all watch the performance and see what it looks like on the film, but the practice, the habits, how they are in the building, how they prepare and did they improve? I think those are some insights, whether its this particular instance or if its just somebody else that were trying to target.

So, I think that that can always help.

It wasnt the main factor in this decision.NewbiesFollowing two straight four win seasons and a new front office plus coaching staff, it was expected New England would turnover a large portion of their roster.

With DeVito and Woods now in the building, the Patriots 53-man roster features 25 new players who were not with the organization last season.Thats good for 47 percent of their active roster.Woods roleAn undrafted free agent out of SMU, Charles Woods played just 14 defensive snaps at cornerback for the Rams last season.

His man contribution as a rookie instead came on special teams.Appearing in 12 games, Woods played 166 special teams snaps across five different unist (kick return, kick coverage, punt return, punt coverage, field goal block) for LA.

That featured time as both a gunner and jammer, a position the Patriots were thin at following the season-ending injury to Marcellas Dial Jr.

Woods could now hold a special teams role early-on in his Patriots tenure, while his work at those two spots in particular helped led to Javon Bakers departure.Gonzos statusPatriots All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez has not practiced since July 28, when he left the session early with a hamstring injury after pulling up in coverage on Stefon Diggs.

While initial reports were that Gonzalez would be ready for Week 1, his absence on the practice fields to conclude the week presents some level of doubt with his status.As New England returns to work on Monday and Wednesday where the first injury report of the season will be released Gonzalezs presence on the practice fields will be the top storyline to monitor.Peppers releaseIt was a somewhat surprising move that the Patriots released safety Jabrill Peppers in the first year of a three-year extension he signed last offseason.

But, the veteran, who played in the first and third preseason games while being held out of the second contest due to a minor injury, had been leapfrogged on the depth chart in recent weeks by safeties Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson.The duo project as better fits than Peppers in Mike Vrabels defense that requires more deep zone coverage responsibilities out of their safeties, but one follow-up question immediately comes to mind: is this Patriots roster talented/deep enough to outright release a player of Peppers-caliber?Chisms treatmentWide receiver Efton Chism III was a regular sight for quarterback Joshua Dobbs on the football field, as Chism led the Patriots in receptions and receiving yards in their first two preseason games.

Off the field, the undrafted receiver has also been a regular sight for quarterback Drake Maye in one particular area in the Patriots facility.Hes always in the treatment room, Maye said of Chism.

I always joke with him hes always in there working on his body and getting healthy.

Im like, Good gosh, youre the No.

1 treatment guy.But hey, that stuff matters.

I think at the end of the day, stuff like that, showing up every day and doing things right gets you on the team and gets you on the field.

Its whats made the Patriots so good in the past.Following a touchdown to end the first half in preseason game No.

2, Chism did not play the second half and missed the next week of practice with a lower left leg injury.

After making the 53-man roster on Tuesday, he returned to the practice field, however.Availability is the best ability, right? For me to not be out there the past couple weeks really sucks, Chism said.

Im in there two, three times a day trying to do as much as I can to get back.BreakupsThats news to me, Mike Vrabel responded when asked about the report of Kendrick Bourne and Marcus Epps requesting their release.I mean, I think that we just, again, try to put the roster together.

I guess when it when it doesnt work out, you break up with somebody, your girlfriend doesnt want to be with you, and then you say, Well, I dont want to be with you either.

Im not going to get into all that.Settling downWeek 1 will mark Drake Mayes first career opening day start, as he began his rookie season on the bench in favor of Jacoby Brissett last year.

With some expected early-game jitters which negatively affected him in the preseason game in Minnesota with a pair of high passes Maye has a plan to help settle into the opener.Its kind of like back in the day playing basketball: find a layup before you start shooting some threes.

I think just whether its a good run with the guys up front, the running backs or maybe an easy completion, he explained.

But other than that, I think its just getting out there, and I think thats part of it.

Whether its going to be jitters or going to be fired up, thats more what it is, just to kind of calm that.

Setting up the week aheadFollowing a long weekend off, the Patriots will return to Gillette Stadium on Monday for their first week of the regular season.The current schedule for this week looks as follows:Monday, Sept.

1: Regular season practice (12:00 p.m.

ET)Tuesday: Sept.

2: No media availabilityWednesday, Sept.

3: Regular season practice (2:00 p.m.

ET)Thursday, Sept.

4: Regular season practice (2:00 p.m.

ET)Friday, Sept.

5: Regular season practice (11:55 a.m.

ET)Saturday, Sept.

6: No media availabilitySunday, Sept.

7: Week 1 vs.

Las Vegas Raiders (1 p.m.

ET).

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