Dugger draws on McCourty's example, Lowe prepares for new offensive line coach's 'hitting system'

He learned everything he needs to know about being a leader from former teammate Devin McCourty. Mayo has yet to name a captain for this season, adding that he would let the players decide. When it comes to Dugger, he will welcome the opportunity to wear the "C." But he doesn't expect to change his approach if he doesn't win the honor. Instead, the chance to continue McCourty's legacy of consistency is more than enough for him.

Patriots safety Josh Dugger is ready to step into a leadership role that was once held by former teammate Devin McCourty.

Patriots safety Josh Dugger is ready to step into a leadership role that was once held by former teammate Devin McCourty.

Dugger, who was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Lenoir-Rhyne, said he learned everything he needed to know about being a leader from McCourty.

Dugger, who was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Lenoir-Rhyne, said he learned everything he needed to know about being a leader from McCourty.

“When I came in, Dev was incredible for me to watch,” Dugger said. “He just exemplified everything. The biggest thing was his actions. You watch him any time of the day — in practice, at any moment — he’s doing the right thing. You see what he’s doing; you count that.

“When I came in, Dev was incredible for me to watch,” Dugger said. “He just exemplified everything. The biggest thing was his actions. You watch him any time of the day — in practice, at any moment — he’s doing the right thing. You see what he’s doing; you count that.

“He didn’t always have to say a whole lot. But like I said, he exemplified it every day, being how he was, consistent. Those were the things that really stood out to me.”

“He didn’t always have to say a whole lot. But like I said, he exemplified it every day, being how he was, consistent. Those were the things that really stood out to me.”

Mayo has not yet named captains for the season, saying he’ll let the players make the call. When it comes to Dugger, he’ll welcome the chance to wear the “C.” But he doesn’t anticipate changing his approach if he doesn’t win the honor. Instead, the chance to continue McCourty’s legacy of consistency will be more than enough for him.

Mayo has not yet named captains for the season, saying he’ll let the players make the call. When it comes to Dugger, he’ll welcome the chance to wear the “C.” But he doesn’t anticipate changing his approach if he doesn’t win the honor. Instead, the chance to continue McCourty’s legacy of consistency will be more than enough for him.

“I want to do the same thing, be the same person,” he said. “Whether I have a ‘C’ or not.”

“I want to do the same thing, be the same person,” he said. “Whether I have a ‘C’ or not.”

Vederian Lowe ready to strikeWhile there’s been a lot of mixing and matching along the offensive line over the last couple of weeks, Vederian Lowe has been a fairly consistent presence at left tackle with the starting offense.

Vederian Lowe ready to strikeWhile there’s been a lot of mixing and matching along the offensive line over the last couple of weeks, Vederian Lowe has been a fairly consistent presence at left tackle with the starting offense.

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Lowe, who is set to start his second full season in New England, said Sunday that despite the ups and downs he’s endured over the course of the summer, he remains confident in his game.

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Lowe, who is set to start his second full season in New England, said Sunday that despite the ups and downs he’s endured over the course of the summer, he remains confident in his game.

“I have the utmost confidence in myself,” Lowe said. “I’m very particular with my play. I want to be the best player I can possibly be. I love nothing more than to have the coaching staff behind me, pushing me day-in and day-out to be better. Because that’s what’s helped give me the confidence to be able to go out there and perform. That’s what's making me comfortable.

“I have the utmost confidence in myself,” Lowe said. “I’m very particular with my play. I want to be the best player I can possibly be. I love nothing more than to have the coaching staff behind me, pushing me day-in and day-out to be better. Because that’s what’s helped give me the confidence to be able to go out there and perform. That’s what's making me comfortable.

“My main thing is just trying to be consistent, just down in and down out. I’m very particular about my game and things I can work on. Just listen to Coach [Scott] Peters; he’s always coaching me up, every single thing. From pass protection to just focusing on little things I can do to perfect that.”

“My main thing is just trying to be consistent, just down in and down out. I’m very particular about my game and things I can work on. Just listen to Coach [Scott] Peters; he’s always coaching me up, every single thing. From pass protection to just focusing on little things I can do to perfect that.”

One of the things that gives Lowe encouragement for the 2024 season is the “strike system” that’s being taught by Peters, the new offensive line coach. It’s a process that’s constructed around different sets, strikes, and counters in pass protection that are called for an offensive lineman to utilize based on opponents and alignments.

One of the things that gives Lowe encouragement for the 2024 season is the “strike system” that’s being taught by Peters, the new offensive line coach. It’s a process that’s constructed around different sets, strikes, and counters in pass protection that are called for an offensive lineman to utilize based on opponents and alignments.

Lowe feels like he’s picking up on the new approach.

Lowe feels like he’s picking up on the new approach.

“Coach Peters really preaches on the strike system; being very direct and precise with your hands,” Lowe said. “And that plays right into my game, and it’s really helped me develop since he came here. I’ve really learned a lot from him.

“Coach Peters really preaches on the strike system; being very direct and precise with your hands,” Lowe said. “And that plays right into my game, and it’s really helped me develop since he came here. I’ve really learned a lot from him.

“Using my hands in my protection has always been a part of what I like to do. Just with Coach Peters coming here, it’s been an even bigger emphasis. Just making sure down in and down out, I’m playing my game the way I want to play and just using the technique that’s being coached.”

“Using my hands in my protection has always been a part of what I like to do. Just with Coach Peters coming here, it’s been an even bigger emphasis. Just making sure down in and down out, I’m playing my game the way I want to play and just using the technique that’s being coached.”

Antonio Gibson more than third-down optionRunning back Antonio Gibson has become a dependable target for quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye. While he’s more than happy to inherit the role of third-down back for a team that has lacked one the last few years, he’s quick to remind people that he’s a multidimensional presence; after all, he rushed for 1,037 yards in 2021.

Antonio Gibson more than third-down optionRunning back Antonio Gibson has become a dependable target for quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye. While he’s more than happy to inherit the role of third-down back for a team that has lacked one the last few years, he’s quick to remind people that he’s a multidimensional presence; after all, he rushed for 1,037 yards in 2021.

“Every team needs a third-down back,” Gibson said. “It’s not to run away from it. We’ll need a guy like that, and I’m willing and down for that role. I'm the guy for it. Just being able to not just limit it to that. That’s what I’m saying.”

“Every team needs a third-down back,” Gibson said. “It’s not to run away from it. We’ll need a guy like that, and I’m willing and down for that role. I'm the guy for it. Just being able to not just limit it to that. That’s what I’m saying.”

Team doctor dies from cancerThe Patriots announced that team physician Dr. Mark Price had passed away following a fight with cancer. “We extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Price’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. His legacy will endure through the many lives he touched and the lasting impact of his work,” owner Robert Kraft said in a statement issued by the team. Price became the Patriots head team physician and

Team doctor dies from cancerThe Patriots announced that team physician Dr. Mark Price had passed away following a fight with cancer. “We extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Price’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. His legacy will endure through the many lives he touched and the lasting impact of his work,” owner Robert Kraft said in a statement issued by the team. Price became the Patriots head team physician and