Game Recap

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.

Hawks’ Trae Young sends pointed message to Rockets’ Dillon Brooks

26/12/2023 Raymond 0

In a closely contested game against the Houston Rockets on December 20, the Atlanta Hawks secured a hard-fought victory with a final score of 134-127. The match featured intense moments, notably the physical play of former Grizzlies player Dillon Brooks, who attempted to agitate Hawks star Trae Young throughout the game. Despite the challenges, Young remained focused on using physicality to his advantage, delivering an impressive performance with 30 points, a 55.6% shooting accuracy, and extending his streak to five consecutive games with 30 points and 10 assists—an achievement shared by only a select few in NBA history. The game also witnessed controversies, with Brooks accumulating five fouls, including a contentious incident with Onyeka Okongwu. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka had to intervene to prevent excessive complaints to the officials, resulting in fines for both Brooks and Udoka based on their behavior in the previous game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Young acknowledged the team’s challenges in the absence of players like Jalen Johnson, emphasizing the impact on team dynamics and individual roles. Despite surrendering a 20-point lead, the Hawks demonstrated resilience and growth, with Young expressing confidence in the team’s ability to improve their third-quarter performances. The return of Johnson, especially for his defensive skills, is anticipated to strengthen the Hawks as they aim for consistency in their season.