On the list of inflammatory things Bart Scott has said about or regarding the New England Patriots, “Can’t wait!”won’t ever be topped. But this one might be a close second.
Scott, an infamous thorn in New England’s side, who might be best known for his electric postgame interview after his New York Jets eliminated the Pats in 2011, weighed in on the undeniable prospect that current Patriots quarterback Drake Maye could win the MVP this season.
While Scott was largely complimentary of New England’s second-year signal-caller, he’s not so sure Maye deserves MVP consideration through 11 games, given how light the New England schedule has been.
“I saw a quarterback that has a good coordinator that has designed good plays for him, but I also see a team that has beaten teams with a combined record of 37-66,” Scott said on “Get Up” on Nov. 14. ” Let’s keep it in perspective. … MVP? I think that’s disrespectful to Daniel Jones, Sam Darnold and Matthew Stafford.
Bart Scott Not Sold on Drake Maye’s MVP Candidacy Yet
In the clip, at the end, Scott almost catches himself by adding Stafford, who is Maye’s top competition for MVP at this moment. Had Scott not mentioned Stafford, it would have been (even more) difficult to justify saying Maye isn’t a true MVP contender, compared to two players whose stats pale in comparison to the Patriots QB.
Scott did manage to give Maye a little praise, though.
“This is a well-coached team that is playing about as high as they could, and they have a quarterback who’s not losing the game, he’s able to make plays down the field — 66% on throws over 20 yards or (more) — that’s great because that allows you to get explosives, so I think they can score,” Scott said. “Stefon Diggs has become the route-runner that they need, being able to move the chains and things like that and being the outlet for (Maye).”
No team in the NFL has played as many games as the Patriots, but Maye does lead the league in passing yards, and only Detroit’s Jared Goff has a higher completion percentage. Maye’s 20 touchdowns are second to only Stafford, and he’s just a few points behind Stafford and Goff in passer rating.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss, meanwhile, recently offered five reasons Maye has earned a spot in the MVP conversation.
“Like all good leaders do, Maye practices what he preaches,” Reiss wrote on Nov. 13 — before the Patriots’ “Thursday Night Football” win over the New York Jets. “He has worked to reduce turnovers, one of the top parts of the team identity coach Mike Vrabel has preached.
“In 13 games last season, Maye threw 10 interceptions. In 10 (now 11) games this year, he has had five.”
Can Maye Keep It Up Against Tougher Competition?
There’s no denying the Patriots have played a soft schedule. They have, however, defeated the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road. The Bills are +950 to win the Super Bowl, and the Bucs are among just 13 teams with odds of 30-1 or shorter to win it all.
But it certainly hasn’t been a gauntlet, and that’s why Scott isn’t ready to buy in completely now — or in January.
“Now, I did see a very good player, but I wouldn’t be surprised, I wouldn’t be shocked if they win the division and have to host Kansas City, Baltimore or Buffalo and get sent home.”
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