FOXBORO — Patriots quarterback Drake Maye took a constructive step ahead Wednesday in considered one of his largest assessments of coaching camp.
Maye has been going through off towards the identical protection operating the identical scheme because the spring, so Wednesday’s joint follow towards the Commanders introduced a brand new problem.
Maye handed it — possibly with out flying colours — however Wednesday served as a win for the second-year professional.
“I believed we moved effectively. It was good enjoying towards one other group, having all our guys on the market and form of getting the rhythm, construct some performs collectively, and transfer the ball,” Maye mentioned. “I believed we did some good issues offensively and need we’d have ended it higher.”
Maye, who was 14-of-21 with two touchdowns and three dropped passes, threw an interception late in follow whereas within the pink zone towards the Commanders. Linebacker Bobby Wagner tipped the ball on the line of scrimmage, and Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil snagged the ball out of the air.
“However hey, that occurs, that’s soccer, and that’s why you follow these,” Maye mentioned. “However total, I used to be proud up entrance. The fellows up entrance, they battled onerous. So, I’m trying ahead to getting issues going as we get into Minnesota and Friday evening.”
Maye mentioned he believed he might have regarded off Wagner higher because the veteran linebacker was studying his eyes. Many occasions in video games, batted passes like these fall harmlessly to the bottom. That wasn’t the case on Wednesday in follow.
Regardless of the interception, Maye got here out of Wednesday’s follow with a constructive mindset about how his offense competed and the way the unit has progressed in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ scheme.
“We undoubtedly assume constructive,” Maye mentioned. “Whenever you’re shifting the ball and really feel such as you had some good performs, it’s constructive. And popping out right here, not such as you didn’t execute, didn’t transfer the ball effectively, so it’s all the time constructive.”
Maye’s favourite targets had been vast receivers DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins.
Hollins, a veteran free-agent addition, missed the start of coaching camp on the bodily unable to carry out record however took a step ahead on Wednesday, catching 5 passes, together with two touchdowns.
“Yeah, we’re Tar Heels,” Maye mentioned of his fellow UNC product. “The chemistry’s already there, so it don’t even matter.”
Maye has thrown simply three interceptions now this summer season with two coming final Friday evening in a split-squad Patriots scrimmage. The Patriots will play the Commanders on Friday evening of their preseason opener then journey to Minnesota for joint practices with the Vikings. So, Maye has extra assessments to go earlier than the 2025 season begins Sept. 7 towards the Raiders.
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