Head Coach Jerod Mayo had some high words of praise for his young quarterback, Drake Maye recently.
He didn't restrict his comments to Maye's ability to tuck the ball under his arm and get vital yardage. His comments say a lot more about Maye's early returns and his attitude, maturity, and leadership, as noted by the most important person he has to impress, his Coach.
#Patriots HC Jerod Mayo on Drake Maye’s rushing ability:
— Carlos Talks Pats (@LosTalksPats) November 7, 2024
“He’s gonna do whatever it takes to help the team win… He’s putting it all on the line. And I appreciate his competitiveness, I appreciate his heart, and I appreciate really just his overall steadiness. Especially as a… pic.twitter.com/sMazLT9IkG
Let's look at dual-threat Maye's running and its impact on the offense. Even if it is obvious, it is still nice to hear from the Head Coach. All signs thus far are positive for the rookie and his team's future. Too bad they didn't see it earlier when that future could have and maybe would have been now.
Drake Maye's running ability will help the Patriots win games
In just his limited sample of games (he's started four), Maye has proven he has what it takes to elevate even a team with a porous offensive line and limited receiving talent to competitiveness. That's quite a feat in light of the dearth of talent assembled by the team's personnel staff this offseason.
Despite his lack of accompaniment, Maye has still completed a respectable (if not miraculous) 65.5 percent of his passes for 770 yards, six TDs, and four INTs. He's been terrific and reinvigorated his teammates, coaches, and Patriot Nation who sorely needed a jolt of optimism. In Maye, they got it.
In addition to his solid passing, Maye has gained 209 yards on 21 carries (a nifty about 10-yard average) and a TD on the ground. Since he's been inserted into the lineup, his pocket-escapability has been very much on display. His predecessor, Jacoby Brisset didn't have it and it makes a huge difference in all kinds of ways we'll take a look at now.
How Patriots Drake Maye's running makes everything better
Having your young quarterback running a lot isn't an optimum situation for any football team. It's risky business when one tough hit can wreck a season. Regardless, it is what it is. The Patriots are a lousy football team, with a terrible offensive line, and only one or maybe two NFL-level receivers on hand.
The die was cast this offseason and nothing has been done to remedy any shortcomings since. The systemic dysfunction in personnel screams for adding a top "super personnel executive" (a story for another day). Maye has had to play the hand he's been dealt, and he's done so brilliantly.
First, defensive coordinators now have to game-plan for his mobility. It was a necessity for this team with its other offensive shortcomings all along. Now, with Maye finally at the helm, opposing coordinators have bigger issues to deal with. He not only can run to escape pressure, but he can beat you with his legs and is a threat to take one to the house whenever he's in range.
His mobility gives his receivers more time to get open. That's why he's been able to complete that high percentage of passes (70 percent against the Titans), even without much of an offensive line or now a running game. His ability to keep his team in games, with hardly anyone else contributing much on offense, has been remarkable.
Mayo's recognition of Maye's abilities, as noted above, was probably too late, but at least now he realizes the prize asset he has. Mayo and Maye were dealt a lousy hand regarding top players arriving either in free agency or the draft. Outside of Maye, most have flopped.
Maye makes everyone around him better. His pocket-escapability and running are vital components. With this season slipping away, if it ever was even intended to be competitive, the future looks bright. The Pats have their quarterback, both for the present and the future.
Now, it's just incumbent on whoever leads personnel to provide him with a talented supporting cast on offense. Absent drafting Maye, the current personnel operation failed miserably this offseason, resulting in a 2-7 record.
Doing nothing at the trade deadline is another example of a stumbling personnel operation that seems lost in the weeds. It's up to whoever runs personnel to get top offensive players to complement their exciting dual-threat QB, Drake Maye. The quarterback is always the toughest get. The Pats have him.
Now, just get going and fill in the rest.