With training camp set to open next week, the Patriots released episode two of the team-made documentary, Forged in Foxborough.

This one was a little bit of a trip down memory lane and also a look into how the coaching staff operated during OTAs. We also got a glimpse into Drake Maye’s mindset heading into his second year and most importantly, Pats fans should be encouraged by one particular vote of confidence for Vrabel and how he’s running things.

After about an hour and a half first episode, this one was only 44 minutes. There’s still plenty that stood out as we get ready for the Mike Vrabel Era to officially begin:

-Immediately, we see a shot of Vrabel talking to Drake Maye after a scramble during OTAs. Vrabel says “way to stay a passer” with Drake on the run. This is why I think they’ll be better. Little things like Maye having his eyes downfield on the run and pumping a little bit to freeze defenders. Vrabel reminds him he still got a first down and protected the football. 

-Julian Edelman sitting down in front of a camera stresses mental aspect and says “if you’re in the league, you have something.” 

-Will Campbell: “we’re coming here to win. We want to win games.” Rookie class seems legitimately interested in getting better and winning rather than creating the best Tic-Tock TD celebration. I think there’s good values and leadership in this class. 

-Cool moment as Dante Scarnecchia talks to the team about the history since Kraft took over, saying “it’s a great place and a hell of a lot different than when I first got here.”. Most stunning part is the long shot they show of Belichick with his arms raised after the 2016 Super Bowl comeback. I’m really surprised that’s in there, especially given what took place this week and that this came out Friday, which means it could have been edited out if they wanted to.

-Really emphasizing history with Scarnecchia talking about Andre Tippett’s 100 sacks during the meeting. In a separate clip, Tippett says NFL stands for ‘Not for Long’ and guys need to be appreciative of being where they are. 

-Scarnecchia speaks about Brady’s worth ethic and standard that he set, then goes on to stress Julian Edelman was a ‘dynamic playmaker’ as we see footage of the famous catch in that 2016 Super Bowl. 

-Edelman tells a brief story about a car ride with Fred Taylor where he told him there would always be ups and downs, but just try to win the day. I definitely did not expect to hear or see Fred Taylor mentioned in this series. We see and hear him walking out of the practice bubble alongside Kyle Williams too, which as a fan you should love, This team desperately needs a young receiver to work out for them and both he and Pop Douglas could be crucial to the team’s success.

-We see rookies in the Patriots Hall of Fame and Williams says “I feel like I’m in a dream.” While many feel like that Patriots aura is gone, for players that were just kids when things were good around here, that feeling still lingers. It’s Vrabel’s job to re-instill it even more.

-Time to focus on Josh McDaniels. Riley Larkin (offensive assistant from John Caroll University) makes an appearance and says he grew up admiring McDaniels. Edelman says McDaniels was “always exposing what we were great at to guys’ best attributes.” We immediately see a shot of the double pass against the Ravens in the next scene.

-Interesting line as under more clips of Josh we hear “the playbook is so much more detailed and structured. So many things go into it, especially as a center. It’s a great privilege to have.” Doug Marrone then appears on camera and acknowledges he hasn’t been in a McDaniels offense, but “there are things that are new, which keeps it great.” Hopefully, that’s music to fans’ ears if they want to see points scored for the first time in a while. 

-McDaniels is heard saying “at this time of year, it’s either a good play, or we’re going to learn from it. There’s a positive result in either direction.” Really puts the OTAs into perspective and how insane some of the freaking out over Maye’s play was. 

-Good footage of McDaniels and other coaches in a meeting room planning out a day. Marrone then says it’s been “outstanding” working with McDaniels after studying the history of his offense while in New England. Marrone adds, “being inside and learning the system has been really exciting for me.” That’s good, because next to McDaniels, Marrone is the most important hire on that side of the ball.

-O-Line assistant Jason Houghtaling talks about that room needing to understand the fundamentals first and foremost.

-McDaniels (in the meeting) really stresses making sure guys know what they’re doing, saying once things ramp up in training camp they need to be playing fast and not thinking. 

-We’re now on to more OTA footage in this episode. Morgan Moses appears on camera and says that time of year is for “building your legacy No. 1 and also coming out here and learning from guys.” Moses adds that it’s a group that’s willing to learn every day.

-Another surprise appearance in a sit-down, this time from Logan Mankins and Joe Andruzzi after we see Houghtaling coaching up Demontrey Jacobs. Both guys stress it takes early mornings and late nights along with continuity to get things right up front. Fascinating line from Mankins as he says “we wanted each other’s respect. You wanted to have your teammates and coaches’ respect.” That’s clearly been missing around 1 Patriot Place for quite some time.

-Robert Kugler (the other O-line assistant) talks about how well Marrone is communicating with them and the players. He also talks about all three guys working with guys individually at times, which Pats fans should also love to hear. Resources and time are being spent on getting it right in front of Maye.

-For those worried there’s too many voices for that O-line group, it’s pretty evident that the same thing is being taught by all three guys.

-Caedan Wallace is on camera and says they “hit the ground running” this offseason and that the coaches hold them accountable. He adds “it’s well-needed here.” In a not so subtle shot at the previous regime.

-Little bit of focus on Mike Onwenu as Moses explains they’ve gone to Onwenu for wisdom on the McDaniels’ offense since he’s the longest tenured O-lineman. Cool shot of BC’s Jack Conley chatting with Onwenu after one of the OTAs too. He’s going to make the roster, I’m calling it now (Conley I mean).

-On the flip side, Onwenu talks about picking Moses’ brain on how he’s maintained his longevity. Going to be massively important for ‘Big Mike’ if he’s going to remain a high-caliber player. 

-More footage of Moses really coaching guys up. We saw it every day after OTAs. He’s going to be so, so valuable to that locker room and especially that O-line.

-It’s now Will Campbell time as we see Maye saying his newest protector wants to “bully” people. Marrone then uses the words “toughness, effort, coach-ability, availability and pride” when talking about Campbell and he adds they’re all qualities he saw in him way back in high school. 

-Drake Maye now the centerpiece and he says “It’s an opportunity as the starter coming into year two to leas the guys or play football the right way…I’m trying to show them my work ethic and the kind of person I am.” On one hand, that’s alarming because that’s really what a rookie year is for. On the other, we all know how last year was handled and he is technically starting over again. It’s going to be so interesting to see how he looks in camp this week.

-More interesting stuff from Maye as he says “Coach Vrabel has given me different ways to let those guys (the offense) hear my voice.” Adds “from there, I think it’s just my job to take the bull by the horns and do my part and do it whichever way that works for me, whatever I feel’s best.” We then see a clip of him telling himself ‘I’ve got to be louder” during a practice. I’m extremely encouraged about that year two leap and believe fans should be too.

-More focus on the staff and now we see clips of special teams coach Jeremy Springer. Legitimately one of the nicest people I’ve ever met and there’s a reason he’s one of the few holdovers from the previous staff, aside from the fact that he’s just a damn good coach too.

-Marrone says this was “probably the best camp he’s ever been apart of in terms of the way the offense and defense work against each other.” It was very noticeable from our view high up on the hill as well. For OTAs with no contact, there was still plenty of competition and chirping.

-Post-practice footage of another coaches meeting, this time with all of them together breaking down some offensive film. It just feels like there’s adults communicating properly again. Finally.

-Really sounds like McDaniels is being critical of Maye in one particular film clip, which is going to be a good thing for his development.

-Good stuff with about 10 minutes left in the episode as we see the guys going out in various community service events. Donna Spigarolo (Director of Community Relations and the Patriots Foundation) gets some well deserved camera time, saying this is her 21st season with the team. 

-We see Tippett again who has a great line, saying “you have to do something to make your community better than what it is,” stressing the importance of using the platform properly.

-Back to footage of OTAs to close things out. More stressing of Vrabel putting the ownership on the players. There’s a level of professionalism within the organization that was severely lacking in 2024.

-Jabrill Peppers breaks down the team and reminds them “to avoid shittiy football, we’ve got eliminate that shit ourselves…QB center exchange, missed assignments, mental errors, all that shit…don’t be no repeat offender, bro. Be professional. Do what you supposed to do when you’re supposed to do it. Perfect practice makes perfect, bro. We gotta keep chasing that. I know it’s hard to be perfect, but we’ve got to be great…Pats on me, Pats on three…” It’s somewhat ironic that Peppers is preaching doing the right thing after last year, but he’s ultimately going to be one of the very important leaders on the team on and off the field this season.

-Pop Douglas talks about leadership with the wide receivers and we briefly see Stefon Diggs at OTAs telling the group “we’re the engine.” Ideally, that’s true.

-Scarnecchia in one of the final clips: “I really have high expectations for this football team going forward…I just know this, this guy (Vrabel) is a good football coach and he’ll get the most out of this football team, no doubt.” If Scar believes, it’s hard not to right now given just how bad it’s been the last handful of years.

Ok, so look, this is a team documentary designed to get fans excited for the season. Is it all positive? Of course. The fan in me has trouble not buying in. The now writer/reporter in me is cautiously optimistic, but not because of this documentary. There was definite change in the air when we were at OTAs.

If you’re heading down to camp next week or over the course of the 15 days open to the public, I’m pretty sure you’ll feel it too.