Drake Maye is off to an accurate start with his arm, but will he make smart decisions with his legs?
Maye's decision-making has seemed sound during the first week of camp, but the real test will come once he can actually get hit.
FOXBOROUGH — Drake Maye’s physical gifts, his strong arm, size, and mobility, have all been there since Day 1 of his time with the Patriots.
Those traits, along with some of the intangibles witnessed in the pre-draft process and a need at the position led the Patriots to draft him No. 3 overall last year.
Now that Maye is a week into his second training camp, some of the other traits that good quarterbacks tend to sharpen over time are showing up as well.
He seems more accurate and decisive. He has yet to throw an interception, although he threw a pass right to Jabrill Peppers that should have been picked, in this camp. He has consistently shown the ability to read the defense and find open receivers quickly. He’s stepping up in the pocket with more confidence.
One aspect of his game that has been somewhat difficult to judge at this point in the camp is how Maye decides to use his legs. He led the team in yards per carry (7.8) last season, and finished third in rushing yards (421).
Making smart decisions about when to use those physical gifts will be key for Maye as he continues to develop, coach Mike Vrabel said.
“We don’t need to run over every player on defense, nor should we try,” Vrabel said. “It’s critical that those plays are available to us, and we do a good job of picking and choosing the appropriate time.”
“And then, when they do have the football in their hands, they have to, one, be able to secure it and be able to protect themselves and use the rules to their advantage.”
“Being able to give themselves up is something that’s critical, and I get that a lot of these young players, they feel like they’re fearless, and that’s great, but we just have to make sure that we’re making great decisions.”
Maye said the coaching staff has been hammering those points home to him recently.
“I think that’s important. I think I faced that in college,” Maye said. “That was my first year. I was really kind of running around and doing some stuff I probably shouldn’t have out there with pads on.”
“So, I think just taking care of my body and being smart, but also knowing when it’s third down, when it’s near the end zone, like, I’m 6’5 and 230 pounds, go get something.”
Maye said one of his top points of emphasis during the offseason is keeping his eyes up as he scans the field for targets when he does decide to run.
“I think just kind of remaining a passer longer when I scramble, I think that’s big,” Maye said, when asked what’s new in his toolbox. “I’m kind of getting outside the pocket, remaining a passer longer, hoping for some big plays, scramble plays.”
“I feel like I had good times last year where I had some guys deep that I may have missed them or took off running instead. So, just trying to remain a passer and just keep trying to work on footwork. I think that’s the big thing. New offense, new play actions, new concepts to try to time it up and get a good group.”
One of the most troubling parts of Maye’s camp so far has been numerous botched snaps. He’s been working with several centers, including Garret Bradbury, Jared Wilson, and Ben Brown, and there has been trouble getting on the same page with those exchanges.
“I think it’s camp, it’s 95 degrees out here,” Maye said. “But at the same time, you can’t put the ball on the ground. Some of it’s a little pre-snap, be on the same page. I think other than that, it’s my part to get down there and get the ball. So, it’s not a big issue. I think it’s something that these guys have figured out. They got a tough job.”
Maye didn’t want to jinx his interception-less start, likening it to a no-hitter in baseball.
He’ll get to test his skills against an opposing defense next week when the Commanders come to town for joint practice and the preseason opener.
But, so-far, so good for the second-year QB.
“I think I’m trying to come from this offense, kind of take the next steps as we go,” Maye said. “And I think the real test will be when the games come and when we get in these joint practices. So, I’m looking forward, and I’m proud of the work we’ve done and I feel good. I feel it’s a good spot. But I think there’s still a lot of work left.”
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