Former NFL QB Dan Orlovsky ‘really liked’ Drake Maye’s debut even in limited playing time
"I liked a lot of the little things I saw out of Drake Maye."
Dan Orlovsky’s thoughts on the limited Drake Maye debut: Though Drake Maye played only a single series in his NFL preseason debut on Thursday against the Panthers, he won at least one fan among quarterback analysts.
Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky, now an analyst with ESPN, focused in on the smaller details amid a limited sample size of Maye’s first game.
“I wanted to see three things,” said Orlovsky. “Number one: What was he like as an under-center quarterback? [He] did not do that a lot at Carolina. Number two: Has he cleaned up some of the mechanics when it comes to the top of his drop, and standing too straight up and not having a good base? And then three: Did he understand what he was looking at post-snap?”
Orlovsky ran through each play that the third overall pick featured in during New England’s 17-3 preseason win over Carolina. In each case, Orlovsky pointed to Maye’s footwork and technique, offering limited criticism but also a degree of praise.
Maye, 21, saw his night end abruptly after the single series when — having led the offense to one first down — the drive stalled. He finished 2-for-3 for 19 yards passing.
But even in just a few plays, Orlovsky believes Maye offered some hopeful signs.
“These are little things that people might not think [about],” Orlovsky said. “They’re a big deal to me. I liked a lot of the little things I saw out of Drake Maye.”
Trivia: What quarterback played for both the Patriots and Panthers while in his 40s at the end of his 20-year career?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He was originally the first overall pick by the Buccaneers.
Scores and schedules:
The Patriots began the 2024 preseason with a 17-3 win over the Panthers on Thursday. New England plays the Eagles next Thursday at 7 p.m.
Tonight, the Red Sox begin a three-game series at home against the Astros at 7:10 p.m.
Also tonight, the Revolution host New York City FC in the Leagues Cup Round of 32 at 7:30 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
- Drake Maye makes QB debut as Bill Belichick-less Patriots beat Panthers 17-3 in preseason game
- Jayson Tatum’s mother was not thrilled with son’s latest benching during Olympics
- Joe Milton has the tools to make the Patriots QB situation interesting, and other final thoughts
- Joe Milton impresses and other quick takeaways from Patriots’ preseason win over Panthers
- Jerod Mayo explains why Drake Maye only played one series vs. Panthers
- Patriots’ Christian Gonzalez is looking to clean up the ‘little things’ after first game back from injury
- How Bailey Zappe reacted to being booed after taking over for Drake Maye
- Guerschon Yabusele jokes that Celtics should ‘bring me back’ amid Olympics heroics
- Grant Hill still hopes Jaylen Brown will be a ‘candidate’ for Team USA roster in 2028
- NESN hires Judd Sirott as new Bruins play-by-play voice
Another incredible performance: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone brushed aside a talented field of competition to break her down world record en route to repeating as the 400-meter gold medalist.
On this day: In 2016, Aly Raisman, Simone Biles, and USA gymnastics triumphed in the women’s all-around competition. It was a second consecutive gold for Raisman in the all-around, having also been a part of the 2012 team.
Daily highlight: Joe Milton III provided fans with this enjoyable scramble. It was listed officially as a 12-yard gain, though unofficially the rookie quarterback ran a far greater distance.
Trivia answer: Vinny Testaverde
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