“The concepts offensively and just timing up the footwork with it. Sometimes, it’s hard to learn a new install each day. You’re doing one or two reps for each play, but as you get into minicamp, you can do plays over and over and get a good grasp of it,” Maye told Patriots.com. “I’ve made some progress, but at the same time, there’s a lot of work to go.”
Maye pointed out the obvious that, as a quarterback wearing a red non-contact jersey in practice, he has yet to be truly under pressure.
“It’s different taking hits from those guys,” Maye added.
Still, Maye is happy with the improvements in his footwork while grasping Van Pelt’s left foot forward and under-center footwork while learning to run the huddle with AVP’s sometimes wordy play calls.
Although spring practices concluded for veterans, the offseason program isn’t over for Maye and his fellow rookies. The Patriots QB will remain in the area for two more weeks to continue conditioning while conducting throwing sessions with Polk and fourth-round wideout Javon Baker. Then, Maye will head home for a brief pause before training camp.
“First real break. Spend some time with family but still get to work. We have a season to get ready for,” Maye said, who has been going since his pre-draft process began at the NFL Combine in February.
As a whole, the Patriots offense was consistent throughout the spring. The offensive line continues to be a potential fatal flaw, and you can tangibly feel the lack of a true difference-making playmaker at wide receiver. The combination of the two puts the heavy lifting on the scheme and quarterback to elevate the personnel. At times, that has led to negative plays for Jacoby Brissett and Maye.
Although it’s far from perfect, it was a positive first impression for Maye overall. The Patriots top draft pick looks the part, with NFL-caliber traits, and he feels out the suit nicely. As a pre-draft Maye stan, I’m not taking any victory laps based on non-padded practices, but Maye is quickly closing the gap and has a real shot at being the Week 1 starter.
Here are five observations from the Patriots final minicamp practice to conclude the spring program:
1. Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye Dominate Reps, Up-and-Down Results
As mentioned, Wednesday’s practice began with a rough stretch of team drills for both Patriots quarterbacks. Here are my notes from their first drives in full team:
Brissett – late throw under pressure dropped by Jalen Reagor, nobody open, plus-throw on an out to Osborn, “sack” by Keion White, run stuff by Christian Barmore. One plus play out of five.
Maye – pressured into check down, wide receiver screen in the flat, thrown between two receivers under pressure (incomplete), pressure off the edge leading to INT. Zero plus plays.
The ensuing 7-on-7 period wasn’t much better. The defense got their hands on three passes, with Brissett and Maye each throwing an INTable pass. Yuck. Maye’s competitive stretch to end practice generated some positive buzz for the offense, but it was rough there for a while.
Although the red zone touchdowns were the highlights, Maye’s best throw might’ve been when he held a zone coverage structure as Boutte settled into a void of space with Maye hitting him in-rhyhtm as a drive starter in the two-minute offense. Those well-timed in-structure plays will get Maye on the field early in the regular season.
Lastly, it’s also worth noting that Brissett and Maye dominated the reps as the only two quarterbacks to take any 11-on-11 snaps (15 for Brissett, 12 for Maye). Bailey Zappe got a turn in 7-on-7 with four reps but zero for Joe Milton in a shorter practice.
New England needs the offense to be far more consistent, but Maye is making progress. His reps reflect that he’s closing the gap in the coach’s eyes as well.