Patriots
“I feel he can take it. I really feel like he’s a tricky man, too, as effectively.”
Drake Maye closed out Sunday’s season-opening loss to the Raiders finishing 30-of-46 passes for 287 yards, one landing, and one interception.
It was a a strong, albeit unspectacular, stat line for the second-year QB, who got here up quick in opposition to Geno Smith and Las Vegas, 20-13, at Gillette Stadium.
However Maye has obtained loads of flak over the previous couple of days resulting from his second-half struggles — with New England’s offensive futility down the stretch opening the door for Las Vegas to return away with the victory.
Coming into halftime, Maye was seemingly accountable for the sport — finishing 14-of-20 throws for 150 yards and a landing.
The second half was a distinct story. After throwing an interception on New England’s first drive of the third quarter (which in the end resulted in a Raiders landing), Maye and the offense flatlined.
The No. 3 decide within the 2024 NFL Draft accomplished simply 7-of-12 passes for 51 yards over the Patriots’ subsequent 4 drives — all of which resulted in punts.
After serving as one of many few vivid spots amid an in any other case depressing 2024 season in Foxborough, Maye has found himself receiving a fair share of criticism — with Mike Vrabel acknowledging on Monday that the crew may need to make some changes in order to take some responsibilities off the second-year pro’s plate.
Rely veteran broad receiver Stefon Diggs amongst those that believes that Maye could be receptive to some laborious teaching as he appears to be like to get his sport (and New England’s offense) again on observe in Week 2 in opposition to the Dolphins.
“I feel he can take it. I really feel like he’s a tricky man, too, as effectively,” Diggs said of Maye on Wednesday at Gillette Stadium. “He’s not a softie or nothing. I might by no means say that. So far as simply being there for him, and having an open dialogue, if you happen to see one thing, let me know, simply that open line of communication and being a receiver with the quarterback.”
Top-of-the-line methods for Maye to settle right into a groove transferring ahead is constructing a rapport with a confirmed pass-catcher like Diggs.
“As a receiver, you simply wish to have an open dialogue, particularly with a younger man,” Diggs mentioned of Maye. “He can play at a excessive degree, so simply being there for him constantly, I feel plenty of optimistic reinforcement slightly than ripping a man would clearly be useful.”
The 31-year-old Diggs made his debut with the Patriots throughout Sunday’s loss to the Raiders, reeling in six catches for 57 receiving yards.
It wasn’t the explosive manufacturing that Patriots followers have been used to seeing from Diggs throughout his time with the Payments and Vikings. However Diggs was grateful to be again out on the gridiron and constructing his sport again up, particularly after tearing his ACL final October.
“We weren’t successful, so I couldn’t be too completely happy. However so far as like, this isn’t a egocentric sport, to me, I took a second to be grateful and sort of bask within the ambiance of the place I used to be,” Diggs mentioned. “I really like doing what I really like.
“Attempt to play at a excessive degree, getting open, catching the ball. I had my moments of, ‘Rattling, I missed it a lot.’ I’m simply so grateful to be again the place I like to be. I had that second, however on the similar time, we have been dropping, so it was bittersweet.”
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