Patriots
Maye’s decision-making has appeared sound throughout the first week of camp, however the true take a look at will come as soon as he can really get hit.
FOXBOROUGH — Drake Maye’s bodily presents, his robust arm, dimension, and mobility, have all been there since Day 1 of his time with the Patriots.
These traits, together with a few of the intangibles witnessed within the pre-draft course of and a necessity on the place led the Patriots to draft him No. 3 total final yr.
Now that Maye is every week into his second coaching camp, a few of the different traits that good quarterbacks are inclined to sharpen over time are displaying up as effectively.
He appears extra correct and decisive. He has but to throw an interception, though he threw a move proper to Jabrill Peppers that ought to have been picked, on this camp. He has persistently proven the flexibility to learn the protection and discover open receivers rapidly. He’s stepping up within the pocket with extra confidence.
One side of his sport that has been considerably tough to evaluate at this level within the camp is how Maye decides to make use of his legs. He led the staff in yards per carry (7.8) final season, and completed third in speeding yards (421).
Making good selections about when to make use of these bodily presents might be key for Maye as he continues to develop, coach Mike Vrabel mentioned.
“We don’t must run over each participant on protection, nor ought to we attempt,” Vrabel mentioned. “It’s important that these performs can be found to us, and we do a very good job of choosing and selecting the suitable time.”
“After which, after they do have the soccer of their fingers, they must, one, have the ability to safe it and have the ability to shield themselves and use the principles to their benefit.”
“With the ability to give themselves up is one thing that’s important, and I get that a variety of these younger gamers, they really feel like they’re fearless, and that’s nice, however we simply must ensure that we’re making nice selections.”
Maye mentioned the teaching employees has been hammering these factors dwelling to him lately.
“I believe that’s vital. I believe I confronted that in faculty,” Maye mentioned. “That was my first yr. I used to be actually sort of working round and performing some stuff I in all probability shouldn’t have on the market with pads on.”
“So, I believe simply caring for my physique and being good, but additionally realizing when it’s third down, when it’s close to the tip zone, like, I’m 6’5 and 230 kilos, go get one thing.”
Maye mentioned one among his prime factors of emphasis throughout the offseason is conserving his eyes up as he scans the sphere for targets when he does resolve to run.
“I believe simply sort of remaining a passer longer once I scramble, I believe that’s huge,” Maye mentioned, when requested what’s new in his toolbox. “I’m sort of getting exterior the pocket, remaining a passer longer, hoping for some huge performs, scramble performs.”
“I really feel like I had good occasions final yr the place I had some guys deep that I could have missed them or took off working as a substitute. So, simply attempting to stay a passer and simply maintain attempting to work on footwork. I believe that’s the large factor. New offense, new play actions, new ideas to attempt to time it up and get a very good group.”
Some of the troubling components of Maye’s camp thus far has been quite a few botched snaps. He’s been working with a number of facilities, together with Garret Bradbury, Jared Wilson, and Ben Brown, and there was hassle getting on the identical web page with these exchanges.
“I believe it’s camp, it’s 95 levels out right here,” Maye mentioned. “However on the identical time, you’ll be able to’t put the ball on the bottom. A few of it’s somewhat pre-snap, be on the identical web page. I believe aside from that, it’s my half to get down there and get the ball. So, it’s not a giant problem. I believe it’s one thing that these guys have discovered. They received a troublesome job.”
Maye didn’t need to jinx his interception-less begin, likening it to a no-hitter in baseball.
He’ll get to check his abilities towards an opposing protection subsequent week when the Commanders come to city for joint apply and the preseason opener.
However, so-far, so good for the second-year QB.
“I believe I’m attempting to return from this offense, sort of take the following steps as we go,” Maye mentioned. “And I believe the true take a look at might be when the video games come and after we get in these joint practices. So, I’m trying ahead, and I’m happy with the work we’ve executed and I really feel good. I really feel it’s a great spot. However I believe there’s nonetheless a variety of work left.”
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