It was not the triumphant Monday media tour for the Patriots that many hoped for this week after Sunday’s moribund 20-13 loss to the Raiders in the debut of the Mike Vrabel era. While there were many disappointments in different aspects of the team, maybe the biggest looming question centers on quarterback Drake Maye, who showed potential as a rookie but is under pressure to convert that potential into production in Year 2.
Maye was 30-for-46 for 287 yards and a touchdown on Sunday—good numbers but rather hollow considering they produced only 13 points.
One of the concerns that has arisen around Maye is whether the Patriots coaches are asking a bit too much of him this year. New offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has an extensive playbook and Maye is only days removed from his 23rd birthday, working in his second NFL offense in as many years. Many have called for McDaniels to simplify the offense for Maye.
Drake Maye: ‘Just Gotta Make More Throws’
Maye was asked about whether there is too much being asked from him in an appearance on the Boston radio station WEEI on Monday. Predictably, Maye does not see things that way.
“I wouldn’t say that,” he said. “At the end of the day, playing quarterback in the NFL, there is going to be a lot on your plate no matter what team you play for. Just being better as a group in details, better at establishing the run game and playing off the run game and then, in the passing (game), I thought I saw it well and those guys blocked well up front. I just gotta make more throws.
“I think am ready for it. I think I will get more and more comfortable throughout the season.”
Patriots Momentum Killed by Interception
If there was one play that stood out as a game-changer from Sunday, it was the interception that Maye threw trying to hit Stefon Diggs on a long ball in the first drive of the third quarter. The Patriots were leading, 10-7, and had a drive working that had them out at the 48-yard line.
Maye attempted to throw while being hit, and wound up sailing a pass that was picked off at the New England 29. The Raiders scored a touchdown on the next drive and the Patriots punted four straight times thereafter.
Said Maye: “Part of this league is making throws while getting hit. I think I had Diggs opened and I need to follow through and there’s been times it’s happened where I could maybe go make a play instead of stepping up there or settling back into the pocket more and not stepping up there.
“I wouldn’t say it was a miss, if I had it back, I would just try to follow through more and don’t kind of step up and get affected by the D-line.”
Patriots Can Bounce Back in Miami
The good news for the Patriots is that the next game is against the woebegone Dolphins, and if there is a time to begin building momentum, it is now. Miami lost, 33-8, to the Colts in its opener.
Maye thinks he knows what the Pats need to do.
“Just gotta be better,” he said. “Gotta find a way to establish the run game, get the run game going and then command the passing game. I felt like at times I moved it well and we were in a rhythm and were moving the ball down the field. And then whether it’s in the red zone or on third down or just being more accurate and keep drives alive, put up seven instead of settling for a field goal or getting stopped on third down.”
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