FOXBORO — To not put any undue strain on him, however the Patriots’ success can be depending on how quarterback Drake Maye performs this season.
If Maye can take a big leap with a brand new offensive coordinator in Josh McDaniels, some upgraded weapons headlined by Stefon Diggs and TreVeyon Henderson and an improved offensive line, then the Patriots could possibly be a shock contender this season.
McDaniels was requested about his expectations for Maye this season.
“Excessive. He’s the quarterback of our soccer crew, and so I’ve at all times had excessive expectations for the quarterback room typically,” McDaniels mentioned. “I understand how exhausting they work, so I’ve confidence in his preparation. I do know there’s going to be alternatives to enhance as we undergo each day, each week. It’s my first alternative to teach a sport with him, with a variety of our guys. So, I’m positive I’m going to be taught loads. However at all times go in, my emotions are at all times primarily based on what I see each day and the way exhausting they work and what they put into it.
“And I couldn’t ask Drake to do greater than what he’s doing. He’s attempting to know precisely what we’re doing, actually attempting to be as well-versed as he can on what we all know from the Raiders, however simply trying ahead to going on the market and watching him play, and seeing our total group on the market collectively.”
McDaniels faces a well-recognized foe within the Raiders, the place he was head coach for 25 video games beginning in 2022 earlier than getting fired in 2023.
Maye had loads of promising moments in his rookie season, when he accomplished 66.6% of his passes for two,276 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions whereas contributing 421 yards and two extra scores on the bottom. However he additionally got here away with only one win as a full-game starter final season, and he turned the ball over 16 whole instances in 13 video games.
Maye appeared to repair a few of his turnover points in coaching camp this season, however he misplaced a fumble within the Patriots’ first preseason sport and had an interception dropped in Week 2 of the preseason. He additionally had turnover points in an intra-squad scrimmage early in camp.
Head coach Mike Vrabel has additionally confused Maye being smarter about taking pointless hits. The vast majority of Maye’s speeding makes an attempt final season got here on scrambles. It looks as if the Patriots can have extra designed runs for Maye this season so long as he’s prepared to get on the turf to keep away from accidents.
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