FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Slow game with Maye: When the Houston Texans visited the Patriots in the 2023 preseason opener, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans had a plan for then-rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. He'd play sparingly.
Ryans later explained that the goal was to give Stroud a small taste of "live reps" and "real looks", while at the same time acknowledging some concerns along the offensive line as the Texans had "things to clean up" in that area. So Stroud played 12 snaps over two series in his NFL debut, which included being intercepted by Jalen Mills, with Ryans holding firm that less was more despite Stroud lobbying to stay in the game.