FOXBORO — It’s been a promising, if imperfect, summer time for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye coming into his second NFL season.
Maye has addressed a few of his turnover issues this summer time, particularly in follow, and he nonetheless shows an intriguing talent set together with his mobility, precision and massive arm. However head coach Mike Vrabel got here away with teachable moments from Week 2 of the preseason, when Maye went 4-of-7 for 46 yards with a dropped interception.
Maye threw excessive to huge receiver DeMario Douglas within the Patriots’ first offensive drive. The ball bounced off Douglas’ arms on to Vikings security Tavierre Thomas, who couldn’t make the interception.
“I feel that we’ve got to have the ability to join on passes just like the one to Pop (Douglas), ensuring that each the receiver and the quarterback are on the identical web page and that the ball placement is the place it must be,” Vrabel mentioned Monday. “I might say the tipped balls, particularly ones which are over the center of the sector or in the direction of the center of the sector, are going to finish up intercepted. He’s persevering with to enhance and persevering with to assist us. I like the place he’s at, it’s simply we’ve bought to repair that.
“We talked to him about not taking a mindless hit exterior the pocket on second-and-ten. If there’s no one there, throw it away, and we’ll attempt to convert on third down. Simply being sensible and understanding these little particulars.”
Maye additionally took a delay of recreation penalty instantly after his near-interception.
The younger quarterback, who was chosen third total within the 2024 NFL Draft, mentioned he might need been too amped up for the start of the sport, resulting in excessive throws. He’s mentioned related issues previously about early errors in video games.
“Once more, the persona or no matter they’re feeling, that’s as much as them,” Vrabel mentioned. “I feel that the efficiency and the mentality and the way we wish to play the sport must be the identical. So, no matter they wish to really feel, they’re greater than welcome to really feel. We simply have to be sure that we execute and that we’re taking command of the huddle and that we’re working at a excessive degree. Some guys are going to be extra amped than others as their very own private method to the sport.”
Maye is 7-of-12 for 58 yards by way of two preseason video games although he’s carried out higher in joint practices with the Commanders and Vikings.
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