Maye-day Every Day

[Saints Rest]

He has not had a kneel down, nor has he run a traditional short yardage QB sneak.

On the QB sneak or designed runs, AVP talked about being a bit hesitant to call them. They are trying to protect Maye as much as they can and they know he's going to run anyway so they don't want to add hits by calling designed runs. AVP said they really only want to go to that part of the playbook on gotta-have-it situations like a 4th and 1 on a game deciding drive and things like that.

My point being that if he had QB sneaks or kneel-downs, his YPC would come down.

Right now, he's 209 yds on 21 attempts over 4.5 games for 10.0ypc. Add 3-4 QB sneaks and 5-6 kneel downs (assuming even a .500 winning pct), and he's more like 210 on 30 attempts and it become 7.0ypc.

 

[Silverdude2167]

Great post. This tracks with what I’m seeing: that Maye had a higher ceiling than Allen out of college and is ahead of Allen’s NFL progress.

So who do you run out and get this off-season to be Maye’s Diggs?

After you get him a left tackle

 

[rodderick]

I honestly think he needs receivers even more than he needs protection right now. Their WR corps is likely the worst position group in the entire league, it's insane how bad their options are.

 

[johnmd20]

I honestly think he needs receivers even more than he needs protection right now. Their WR corps is likely the worst position group in the entire league, it's insane how bad their options are.

Do you throw to the guy who is slow, the guy who doesn't get separation, the guy who has no hands, or the guy who can never get his feet in bounds?

 

[rodderick]

Do you throw to the guy who is slow, the guy who doesn't get separation, the guy who has no hands, or the guy who can never get his feet in bounds?

The fact that I can't even immediately identify which player is which here tells you everything you need to know about how dire it is at that position.

 

[joe dokes]

Do you throw to the guy who is slow, the guy who doesn't get separation, the guy who has no hands, or the guy who can never get his feet in bounds?

Is one of those guys also the guy who had ACL surgery and may or not be done? Or is that a separate guy? (Bourne's skill was not his speed. What if he's been permanently robbed of the quickness?)

 

[Zososoxfan]

Do you throw to the guy who is slow, the guy who doesn't get separation, the guy who has no hands, or the guy who can never get his feet in bounds?

Huh, I didn't realize N'Keal Harry was still on the squad.

 

[DJnVa]

The one thing playing Maye has done, as opposed to him sitting and watching (which I doubt was ever really something the Pats thought about, especially once he was in the building) is that potential FA or trade targets can see that the Pats appear to have something. It's not just potential at this point.

I like Tee Higgins, and we'd have to overpay some.

2026 has a nice list, but a bunch of these guys will likely sign something--Chase, Olave, Wilson, London.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Olave keeps getting hurt, it's very disappointing. Would love him on the team, but he's not very durable right now.

 

[rodderick]

The one thing playing Maye has done, as opposed to him sitting and watching (which I doubt was ever really something the Pats thought about, especially once he was in the building) is that potential FA or trade targets can see that the Pats appear to have something. It's not just potential at this point.

I like Tee Higgins, and we'd have to overpay some.

2026 has a nice list, but a bunch of these guys will likely sign something--Chase, Olave, Wilson, London.

Unfortunately they'll need to draft their stud. Receiver is becoming almost like QB in that the truly elite ones are never available for just money, so unless you're willing to part with some insane package in a trade, which this team shouldn't do in a rebuild, you'll have to settle at best for second tier guys at tier 1 cash.

 

[Van Everyman]

The one thing playing Maye has done, as opposed to him sitting and watching (which I doubt was ever really something the Pats thought about, especially once he was in the building) is that potential FA or trade targets can see that the Pats appear to have something. It's not just potential at this point.

It feels like the Pats should be in a good position next season to go after guys without being Ridley’d or Aiyuk’d at the alter. In addition to being able to point at Maye to dream on, should will have plenty of cap space and some great draft capital to dangle in front of other teams. And that shouldn’t impact their ability to use their remaining draft capital to shore up their dreadful line situation. There will of course be questions about the team and coaching staff but talent should win out there and Maye has it.

 

[Justthetippett]

It feels like the Pats should be in a good position next season to go after guys without being Ridley’d or Aiyuk’d at the alter. In addition to being able to point at Maye to dream on, should will have plenty of cap space and some great draft capital to dangle in front of other teams. And that shouldn’t impact their ability to use their remaining draft capital to shore up their dreadful line situation. There will of course be questions about the team and coaching staff but talent should win out there and Maye has it.

They need to find their equivalent of Al Horford in NFL free agency or via trade. The A- player (no insult to Al!) who breaks the dam and makes it more attractive to sign here. I have no idea who that would be. AJ Brown? Metcalf? Maybe Higgins, anything I'm not too excited about him. Someone in that ballpark.

 

[changer591]

Huh, I didn't realize N'Keal Harry was still on the squad.

Needs the Spiderman pointing meme.

 

[rodderick]

Kurt Warner once again killing their route spacing and concepts. Seems to believe Van Pelt is making it hard on Maye.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjuFGw83XCU&ab_channel=KurtWarnerxQBConfidential

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

So I can't articulate what I'm seeing the same way that Warner-- or a bunch of more knowledgeable people on this board-- can. And that video describes a bunch of what I've been calling 'too much congestion' downfield.

Like lots of folks here have said, I dunno how much of that is our receivers being slow and/or running routes poorly, how much is AVP, how much is young players not processing what the defense is doing, etc. etc.

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

Everyone keeps throwing around Josh Allen comps, which I got no problem with

But am I the only one who gets 'slightly less explosive Michael Vick' vibes when Maye starts free-stylin'?

People who are more sophisticated about football can explain why they aren't as comparable as I'm thinking...

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Everyone keeps throwing around Josh Allen comps, which I got no problem with

But am I the only one who gets 'slightly less explosive Michael Vick' vibes when Maye starts free-stylin'?

People who are more sophisticated about football can explain why they aren't as comparable as I'm thinking...

First, you start explaining how they're similar.

 

[Dollar]

I'm surprised there have been no Alex Smith mentions in this thread. He's probably the closest comp I can think of for Drake. I'm thinking of the Alex Smith who had a few years under his belt, so obviously Maye is way ahead of where Smith was in his rookie season, but I think Maye could be similar to the Chiefs Alex Smith in the next few years (Pro Bowl level, able to lead a team to the playoffs, able to make plays with his feet when the pocket collapses.)

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

I'm surprised there have been no Alex Smith mentions in this thread. He's probably the closest comp I can think of for Drake. I'm thinking of the Alex Smith who had a few years under his belt, so obviously Maye is way ahead of where Smith was in his rookie season, but I think Maye could be similar to the Chiefs Alex Smith in the next few years (Pro Bowl level, able to lead a team to the playoffs, able to make plays with his feet when the pocket collapses.)

Why? Alex Smith was a game manager with no deep ball. Doesn't seem very similar to me.

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

First, you start explaining how they're similar.

Ummmm, OK: I'm an old man who has memories of Vick as a +athlete with a surprisingly strong arm who made a lot of impressive things happen on broken plays, both by running and also by making throws on the run that very few people could make.

If your trying to create a 'gotchya' moment because you don't think they're similar and my comment is dumb, I have to warn you it won't be much of an achievement. I post dumb stuff here all the time.

Like, remember the time I forgot that Maye was right-handed? Or all the random names of nonexistent Pats offensive linemen I've invented this season?

It's almost like I gotta quota to fill and it's already been 48 hours or something...

 

[Dollar]

Why? Alex Smith was a game manager with no deep ball. Doesn't seem very similar to me.

Yeah the lack of a deep ball is a good point. I'll modify my stance, he's like a mix of Alex Smith and Michael Vick.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Ummmm, OK: I'm an old man who has memories of Vick as a +athlete with a surprisingly strong arm who made a lot of impressive things happen on broken plays, both by running and also by making throws on the run that very few people could make.

If your trying to create a 'gotchya' moment because you don't think they're similar and my comment is dumb, I have to warn you it won't be much of an achievement. I post dumb stuff here all the time.

Like, remember the time I forgot that Maye was right-handed? Or all the random names of nonexistent Pats offensive linemen I've invented this season?

It's almost like I gotta quota to fill and it's already been 48 hours or something...

You said Maye reminded you of Vick. There's no "gotcha". I think it's fair to ask how Maye is similar to one of the most electric athletes to ever play quarterback.

 

[Salva135]

Yeah the lack of a deep ball is a good point. I'll modify my stance, he's like a mix of Alex Smith and Michael Vick.

Jesus, he plays nothing like either of these guys. He's actually a bit hard to pin down. I think he has a bit of Josh Allen's recklessness in him, but he does well in structure and I think his accuracy is pretty good overall. He's just struggling to deal with broken plays which he's seeing a lot with a bad Oline and surrounding cast. He'll make an amazing play like the end of regulation with the Titans then throw some ridiculous INT.

 

[Justthetippett]

He's his own player for sure but I see signs of Allen, Herbert and maybe even the souped up version of Tannehill. One thing: his ball handling seems unique to him. The timing of his fakes and footwork. Looks very natural and not mechanical like some guys.

 

[8slim]

I never understand sports fans obsession with finding the exact match to compare one guy to another. Let’s say Maye literally has the exact same DNA as Josh Allen… what does that mean?

 

[skidmark21]

That they are related and probably a bit similar?

 

[BigSoxFan]

I never understand sports fans obsession with finding the exact match to compare one guy to another. Let’s say Maye literally has the exact same DNA as Josh Allen… what does that mean?

It’s a projection exercise. People like to try to understand what they might have.

 

[Reverend]

“Electric” for Vick was right. But he was such an electric runner, many believed that he was a harbinger of an evolutionary shift in the sport away from pocket passers. What we have seen instead is more advances in Steve Young types who play the pocket but have greater athleticism in extending the play ir escaping at times; the game didn’t go the direction Vick was headed.

Vick was fun to watch, but his style of play would put a hard ceiling on today’s passing game which is well below what we want out of Maye.

 

[Saints Rest]

“Electric” for Vick was right. But he was such an electric runner, many believed that he was a harbinger of an evolutionary shift in the sport away from pocket passers. What we have seen instead is more advances in Steve Young types who play the pocket but have greater athleticism in extending the play ir escaping at times; the game didn’t go the direction Vick was headed.

Vick was fun to watch, but his style of play would put a hard ceiling on today’s passing game which is well below what we want out of Maye.

I was thinking that Steve Young might be a better comp for Maye than Vick.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

“Electric” for Vick was right. But he was such an electric runner, many believed that he was a harbinger of an evolutionary shift in the sport away from pocket passers. What we have seen instead is more advances in Steve Young types who play the pocket but have greater athleticism in extending the play ir escaping at times; the game didn’t go the direction Vick was headed.

Vick was fun to watch, but his style of play would put a hard ceiling on today’s passing game which is well below what we want out of Maye.

Lamar is in his own category with Vick as a runner, but otherwise you are completely right. Lamar is another exception that proves the rule.

 

[Justthetippett]

It’s a projection exercise. People like to try to understand what they might have.

Yep that's it. Also interesting to see guys with similar physical tools/games succeed or fail and assess why. And for QBs in particular, seeing where they are at mentally as well as physically.

 

[Salva135]

Maye is really his own guy right now. His comp to Allen is more about a refusal to let a play go. His relentlessness as a rookie with a shit OL and bad receivers has been fun to watch. His switch to the left hand to throw the ball away was fun. He's going to give you crazy plays we haven't seen around here in a while.

 

[joe dokes]

Its so much better to have a QB who makes more surprisingly good plays than surprisingly disastrous ones.

 

[rodderick]

The throw to Osborn that ended up being called back due to illegal touching was in the realm of "there aren't three guys in the league that make this play". I love the aggressiveness, love the throw to Boutte to set up the FG before the half, think the ball placement has improved week to week (the sprays and wide misses have gone down), but the turnovers are an issue, yesterday's pick was pretty fucking awful. All in all, while his perfomance wasn't great or anything against the Bears, I thought Maye did a lot of things to help the team win versus a very good pass defense, which explains why his QBR was pretty high even if the box score stats weren't anything to write home about. He just has a lot of tools to convert on key downs and he's a good enough processor from the pocket, especially when provided with clear reads. I've seen enough to believe he could be special with better talent around him. The killer mentality and physical tools are there, and I think those matter more than everything else.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

I couldn’t be more excited about him overall. But he definitely has a few moments of madness every game when he makes an inexplicably bad decision and the coaching staff needs to figure out how to help him with that.

The INT was terrible but I thought situationally the throw into the end zone on 3rd and 5 with about 8 minutes left up 13-3 was worse (should have been picked). Nothing was there and getting 3 really improved the team’s chance of winning given how the defense was playing. You have to throw that ball away.

 

[Over Guapo Grande]

I'm not sure if this a Maye thing, an AVP thing, or a combo of both. But I can barely recall any D.O.G penalties, or having to burn a crucial time out to avoid one. It seemed that last year's team was good for a couple of those a game. Seems like the offense is getting out of the huddle quickly, and getting to the line with enough time to make a check and still get the snap off.

Of course, it could also just be a "Not Mac Jones" thing.

 

[Reverend]

I feel a lot better about the INT hearing that it was a lousy attempt to throw it away as opposed to him trying to thread an impossible needle or simply not seeing the defender. Like, the latter two could be real problems in his game that he would have to work on, whereas I have no concerns about getting enough on the ball to throw it into the third row.

 

[Steve Dillard]

The problem is he also was threading the needle on a "throw away" to Osburn that was a great near TD. When you have skills to throw it into tight places at the sidelines, it makes it tempting to "throw away" a pass that still **might** be a completion with a great catch. I can see the conundrum of wanting to win each "throw away" vs. tossing it into the stands because there's no chance.

 

[Van Everyman]

This one was one of Brady’s superpowers: never trying to do too much. It probably helped that he wasn’t a gunslinger at any point in his development. But whether it was throwing the ball away or taking a sack instead of risking a turnover, Brady seemed to always know when it was time to fight another day.

Maye doesn’t seem to be reckless at this point but def. is trying to figure out how much of his own will he can impose on the game. It probably doesn’t help that his teammates require a lot of handholding.

 

[Time to Mo Vaughn]

I'm not sure if this a Maye thing, an AVP thing, or a combo of both. But I can barely recall any D.O.G penalties, or having to burn a crucial time out to avoid one. It seemed that last year's team was good for a couple of those a game. Seems like the offense is getting out of the huddle quickly, and getting to the line with enough time to make a check and still get the snap off.

Of course, it could also just be a "Not Mac Jones" thing.

It's frequently a young QB problem. We saw the delay of games with Caleb Williams yesterday.

It was a few weeks ago at this point, but I was more impressed on an either 3rd or 4th down play where he drew the defense offside with a hard count. I'm not sure a Patriots QB has done that since Brady.

 

[Justthetippett]

I feel a lot better about the INT hearing that it was a lousy attempt to throw it away as opposed to him trying to thread an impossible needle or simply not seeing the defender. Like, the latter two could be real problems in his game that he would have to work on, whereas I have no concerns about getting enough on the ball to throw it into the third row.

I don't know. He literally could have thrown it into the dirt, forty feet in the air or sideways as a throwaway. He was well out of the pocket. Seemed not quite sincere to me. I'll take the occasional bad with the overwhelming good with him though.

 

[Over Guapo Grande]

It's frequently a young QB problem. We saw the delay of games with Caleb Williams yesterday.

Or an old QB one. Or maybe it was just the Jets (Aaron Rodgers a few weeks back...)

 

[DJnVa]

I don't know. He literally could have thrown it into the dirt, forty feet in the air or sideways as a throwaway. He was well out of the pocket. Seemed not quite sincere to me. I'll take the occasional bad with the overwhelming good with him though.

Dude seems overly sincere to me. I buy it.

Story about him address the team:

The Patriots are becoming Drake Maye’s team: Inside the meeting that led to a huge win

“Everybody loved it, man,” said rookie receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, who took a step in the right direction Sunday with a 2-yard touchdown reception. “We need that from our starting quarterback.”

“I don’t know how he did it. I couldn’t do that,” receiver Demario Douglas said with a laugh. “As a quarterback, I guess he should be able to. But if it were me, I’d get nervous and start sweating.”

The Patriots are still very early in this rebuild. In many ways, they’re still getting to know Maye and are eager to give him a light-hearted hard time.

“His accent is a little strong and I can’t understand some words, but he’s a good speaker,” Michigan native Mike Onwenu joked about Maye’s North Carolina drawl.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

Maye speaks really fast and loose, so I don’t parse his words like I would, say, BB.

 

[Zososoxfan]

Unfortunately they'll need to draft their stud. Receiver is becoming almost like QB in that the truly elite ones are never available for just money, so unless you're willing to part with some insane package in a trade, which this team shouldn't do in a rebuild, you'll have to settle at best for second tier guys at tier 1 cash.

Bah gawd, that's Chad Jackson's music!

 

[rodderick]

I'll take playmaking over limiting mistakes any day of the week at this stage, I think the whole "don't throw picks" stuff is super overrated and very often correlated with a general lack of aggressiveness that costs quarterbacks with the game on the line. Brady's superpower was his ability to be aggressive and attack coverages when the situation called for it while not throwing picks OR exchanging picks for sacks. Brady was an assassin with the game on the line, Drake will have to figure out when he needs to turn that playmaking mode on, and when it's likely not needed. Defense playing well, you have a lead? Throw the ball away. Late and trailing? By all means try to layer the ball between two defenders 30 yards down the field while 2 feet from the sidelines. I think one of the underrated mistakes they made with Mac Jones in 2021 was leaving the training wheels on all season long and then he basically had to learn how to carry an offense and make plays inside and outside of structure in real time under Matt Patricia. As a rookie I'd much rather he test shit out and figure out what he can and can't get away with in which scenarios than he being gun shy. Drake will only reach his ceiling if he's using his athletic gifts to make plays in the right moments, the situational awareness will come with experience, but I don't want him to become conservative as I feel that's way harder to snap out of than learning from his mistakes is.

 

[Auger34]

I don't think there's an exact comp for Drake Maye (Josh Allen is kind of close but Allen is bigger and broader).

Vick was short (like barely 6'0) so I wouldn't say he's a great comp. And, as mentioned, Alex Smith didn't have a great arm and was basically a Checkdown Charlie most of his career.

 

[Van Everyman]

 

[rodderick]

I don't think there's an exact comp for Drake Maye (Josh Allen is kind of close but Allen is bigger and broader).

Vick was short (like barely 6'0) so I wouldn't say he's a great comp. And, as mentioned, Alex Smith didn't have a great arm and was basically a Checkdown Charlie most of his career.

Isn't it simply Justin Herbert? Herbert has a slightly better arm and Maye is slightly faster in a straight line.

 

[Auger34]

Isn't it simply Justin Herbert? Herbert has a slightly better arm and Maye is slightly faster in a straight line.

I think you've nailed it. They actually kind of look alike even