Drake Maye

Patriots Ignored Key Opportunity to Back Drake Maye, Despite Eliot Wolf’s Pre-Draft Confidence

04/11/2024 Raymond 0

Eliot Wolf, the new executive of player personnel for the New England Patriots, previously dismissed the idea that the team couldn’t support a rookie quarterback. Speaking in April, before the Patriots selected Drake Maye third overall, Wolf expressed confidence in their ability to provide the necessary support, citing their “NFL receivers” and “NFL offensive linemen” as key components. However, this confidence has proven to be misplaced.

In Maye’s four starts so far, he has received minimal assistance from the players around him. In a recent game against the Tennessee Titans, where the Patriots lost 20-17 in overtime, Maye was thrust into a challenging position. He completed 29 of 41 passes for 206 yards and scrambled for 95 yards, accounting for nearly all of the team’s offensive production. Despite only having one week of recovery from a concussion, Maye displayed remarkable resilience, even throwing a game-tying touchdown in the final moments of regulation. Unfortunately, his efforts culminated in a game-ending interception, sealing the team’s fate.

The performance of the Patriots’ receiving corps was lackluster, with the wide receivers combining for just 13 receptions and 94 yards. Veteran tight end Hunter Henry led the team with seven catches for 56 yards, highlighting a concerning trend where the receiver group has failed to reach 100 yards in two of their last three games. The running backs’ performance was equally dismal, contributing only 15 yards on 12 carries—an astonishingly low figure.

Patriots Coach Stumbles with Rookie Mistake in Shocking Loss to Titans

04/11/2024 Raymond 0

Drake Maye wasn’t the only Patriot to make a costly rookie mistake in Nashville. With the team trailing 20-17 in overtime, Maye forced a deep pass into double coverage, aiming for Kayshon Boutte. The throw, slightly underpowered against the wind, was intercepted by Titans safety Amani Hooker, ending the game. Reflecting on the decision, Maye admitted, “Just a dumb decision. Something you’d like to have back, especially in that situation.”

But a larger question lingered—why were the Patriots facing the wind in such a critical moment? Despite winning the overtime coin toss, the coaching staff chose to kick into the wind, a perplexing decision that became apparent as the game slipped away. The oversight from Jerod Mayo and his team underscored a costly missed opportunity, one that left New England’s fans questioning the call.

Drake Maye’s Hard Lesson: A Star QB’s Close Call and What He’s Taking Forward | NickNacks

03/11/2024 Raymond 0

During Sunday’s matchup between the Patriots and Titans, Drake Maye’s return from concussion protocol added both excitement and tension. Right on his second snap, he scrambled for 26 yards, a gutsy move that had fans holding their breath after his recent injury. This time, though, he was more cautious, showing signs that he’s learned the importance of timing his slides to avoid risky hits. But Maye isn’t shying away from contact altogether; in some situations, he’s still willing to charge forward, taking hits strategically.

On defense, the Patriots’ young cornerback Christian Gonzalez faced off against star receiver Calvin Ridley, a high-profile matchup that showed the team’s confidence in Gonzalez’s lockdown abilities. While he held his ground with some impressive pass breakups, the Titans also found openings in New England’s defense by targeting the second level. Offensively, the Patriots continued experimenting with play designs, including screen passes to rookies like tight end Jaheim Bell and opportunities for Pop Douglas to showcase his skills in open space.

Super Bowl Rival Asked Patriots to ‘Let Us Know’ About Drake Maye Pick

11/07/2024 Raymond 0

The New England Patriots retained the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL draft to select quarterback Drake Maye, despite receiving numerous offers. Notably, their Super Bowl rivals, the New York Giants, expressed significant interest in acquiring the pick. This interest was highlighted during a conversation at the Scouting Combine between Giants’ general manager Joe Schoen and assistant GM Brandon Brown, captured for HBO’s “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants” on Max.

Following this discussion, Schoen contacted the Patriots’ de facto GM Eliot Wolf to reiterate the Giants’ interest. Wolf acknowledged receiving calls from other teams but did not disclose the Patriots’ plans. The Patriots’ true intentions became clear when they selected Maye with the No. 3 pick, securing a potential franchise quarterback after Tom Brady’s departure in 2020.

Under-the-radar Patriots defense ready to take leap forward

23/05/2024 Raymond 0

The New England Patriots focused on maintaining a strong defense this offseason, despite significant roster and coaching changes. They re-signed safety Kyle Dugger to a four-year extension, allowing him to concentrate solely on football. Dugger expressed optimism about the unit’s potential, saying, “If I’m being honest, I don’t really see a ceiling for the group.” The Patriots also rely on second-year players, including Christian Gonzalez and Keion White, to elevate the defense. Head coach Jerod Mayo emphasized the potential for significant improvement in their second year, stating, “We are looking for those guys to make a huge jump.” Meanwhile, cornerback Marcus Jones highlighted the importance of unity and continuous improvement during OTA’s.

Analyst Reveals Why The Patriots Drafted Drake Maye

04/05/2024 Raymond 0

In the 2024 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots made a bold move by selecting North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick. This decision positions Maye as a potential franchise savior and the future leader of the team in the post-Tom Brady and Bill Belichick era. Despite the uncertainty surrounding Maye’s draft position, the Patriots ultimately chose to stand pat and select him, influenced by the interest shown by other teams like the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings. Analysts believe Maye’s athletic ability and strong arm make him a promising prospect, drawing comparisons to established quarterbacks like Josh Allen.

3 Biggest Patriots Draft Takeaways

01/05/2024 Raymond 0

In dissecting the Patriots’ priorities ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, pundits unanimously identified quarterback, wide receiver, and left tackle as the primary needs. As expected, these areas were the initial focus in the draft. However, the task of addressing all three needs with perfect-fit prospects proved daunting. While Drake Maye emerged as a clear choice for the team, they missed out on trading back into the first round and had to settle for Ja’Lynn Polk at wide receiver. Additionally, the top left tackle prospects were snatched up before their pick, leading to the selection of Caedan Wallace, leaving a degree of uncertainty at the position.

NFL Insider Says Patriots Have A ‘High Grade’ On 2 QB Prospects

20/04/2024 Raymond 0

While the New England Patriots have received inquiries about potentially trading down in the draft, they haven’t received any offers enticing enough to seriously consider such a move. However, they remain open to the possibility while maintaining high evaluations for quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye.