Patriots QB Drake Maye
PATRIOTS QUARTERBACK DRAKE MAYE
PRESS CONFERENCE
October 23, 2024
Q: From your first start to your second start, what kind of growth did you see? What kind of things do you feel like you need to work on as you continue to try to get better and better as a starting quarterback?
DM: Yeah, the big thing is we started fast. I think, you know, put two good drives together. My first start, I think it was a three-and-out, and then the second one was maybe another three-and-out. So, started fast and felt more comfortable under center that first snap than the first time, and got the nerves out of me. So, I’m feeling more comfortable back there, more comfortable in the huddle, play calls and little things like that, little things that you don’t see on the field. Felt more comfortable in the huddle, felt like I was bringing some more energy to the start of the game. From there, I think protecting the football, that’s the big thing. Then, you turn the ball over and got some plays which I wish I had back, make better throws, even in the last game that it could maybe be a difference in the ball game. At the same time, I think we did some good things, just didn’t sustain it long enough and put drives together, especially in that second quarter.
Q: Drake, when you see a player like Ja’Lynn Polk, who’s obviously a rookie like you, you’ve probably developed a relationship with him in that vein, but struggling a little bit, catching the ball and securing it. How do you approach that as a quarterback?
DM: Yeah, I think just pump him up. I think that’s the biggest thing you can do, especially a guy coming in the same class. I’m the first round, he’s the second round pick. We built a connection early during camp and during the summer, I felt like we had it going. I think just still finding it, still working together. So it’s only our second game out there together, and I feel like we’ve left some plays out there, both ball placement-wise, and I’m sure he’d like to have some plays back himself. I think it’s just building the camaraderie, and I think we’re going to get there. I don’t think it’s a matter of if, I think it’s a matter of when.
Q: What’s the level of precision that you’re seeing right now in the passing game in terms of the routes that are being run, et cetera, spacing, et cetera, in your comfort with saying, ‘you know what, that was wrong, you need to do X, Y, or Z?’
DM: Yeah, I think I’m getting there, especially preaching what AVP [Alex Van Pelt] preaches, and doing the little things. You know, some of the ‘for the love of the game’ routes of spacing and making sure you have a clear route to get somebody else open. I think we’re kind of feeling that out. We’ve got a young team in the receiver room. The tight ends got a better understanding of, they’ve been in a lot of different concepts in the offenses. I think the young guys are starting to figure it out. I think here you’re going to see a click, and I think we’ve got some talent on offense. I’m looking forward to seeing when that happens.
Q: What’s the ‘for the love of the game’ route?
DM: Yeah, if you’re running a clear route on a dagger concept, you’ve got a clear route where you’re just taking out, two high, taking out the safeties for the dig, coming out for your friend to come catch a dagger concept. For the love of the game, you’re just hauling butt. You’re basically not really expecting the football, just expecting to get your friend open.
Q: Scott Chadwick mentioned that back in high school, you used to go to the sideline and check the stats to make sure different guys got the ball. Is that a mentality you still have, and why is it important for you to make sure that different guys are getting the ball?
DM: Yeah, I think it’s a big deal. At the same time, it’s also something that I keep in mind of getting guys the football. Especially in one-on-one scenarios, we have different guys that make plays. At the same time, right now I’m just trying to do my part in the offense and not try to worry about that as much. I think there’s definitely times in games where I’m going to tell you, ‘hey, if you’re one-on-one next time, I’m coming your way.’ I told KB [Kendrick Bourne] that later in the game that I need to give him some more chances. He’s a good player for us. So, little things like that, I care about. But, the guys want the football and I try to feed them all. That’s the best thing. But at the same time, everybody is going to want the ball more than probably they’re going to get. So you’ve got to balance that aspect.
Q: Drake, there was a clip on social media this morning. Dan Orlovsky of ESPN was breaking down your game. He showed a play where he was highlighting really good footwork, base. He was really praising how far you’ve come along in such a short amount of time in terms of footwork. Do you feel like that you’ve come a long way with your footwork, and when you watch yourself now, compared to how you were in college, you’re like, ‘Wow the work you’ve put in is really starting to pay off?’
DM: Yeah, I think it’s a credit to the coaches here, AVP and T.C. [T.C. McCartney]. They’ve really hammered it home. At the same time, I think some things where some different drops that I’m taking now weren’t really asked of me in college. Some of these five-step under-center play actions, we didn’t do much of those. So it probably really didn’t give me a chance to show off some of the footwork stuff. There’s two ways to look at it. But, credit to these guys here. I think we’re still working on things throughout the week. T.C. puts it up on the board, little things throughout the week that I keep in mind. I feel comfortable back there. Maybe scrambled into one sack late in the game. I told Big Mike [Onwenu] that was my fault. But, other than that, I feel good back there. I feel like I’m seeing it well. Just I’m going to continue to get some reps.
Q: Before we go back to the Polk stuff, I’m curious, what’s the challenge like as a rookie who wants to be deferential to the older guys, Hunter [Henry], Mike Onwenu, even Rhamondre [Stevenson], against being a guy who’s a leader, being a guy who’s a forward-facing position? What’s that challenge like for you trying to strike that balance?
DM: Yeah, I think, what are you really asking?
Q: Well, in terms of you want to be deferential as a rookie, as a first-year guy. But you have a lot of veterans, you’re surrounded by a lot of veterans. How do you strike that balance trying to be a leader in a leadership role as a quarterback?
DM: Yeah, I think that’s a good point. I think it goes back to just building relationships with different guys. That’s my approach to it. Really get to know them and see where we relate. I think me and JP [Ja’Lynn Polk] relate with we’ve both been working football nonstop since the end of the college season. Sometimes, all the vets talk about the rookie wall you hit, and just continue to get over that hump, find each and everyday ways to be excited about coming here and playing football and playing in the NFL. I think going back to that, and looking at the bigger picture with JP and Bake [Javon Baker] and those young guys, and even Jaheim [Bell]. I think that’s a reminder of this is what we dreamed of, and the dream doesn’t stop now. I think of just getting back to work. With those older guys, just picking up bits and pieces that I can carry into those young guys what can help us. I think that’s kind of my approach to it. Hunter and DA [David Andrews] and some of those guys are stuff I’m picking up every day with Jacoby [Brissett] in the quarterback room.
Q: Drake, you said the tight ends might have a better understanding of the offense right now. Do you think that’s one reason why you’re targeting Hunter Henry so much, because you’ve built a connection with Hunter Henry so well?
DM: Yeah, I wouldn’t say they have a better understanding. I think the receivers, they have a great understanding. I think just Hunter and them see more reps of different things that, whether it’s safety, linebackers, or coverages can do. Hunter and Hoop [Austin Hooper] have spent, I don’t know, combined, probably 17 plus or almost 20 years in the NFL. You can see the vet experience in that room of their feel for space and their feel for, ‘hey, this guy’s playing a man’ versus those young guys. I think they’re feeling it out. And JP may be saying, ‘hey, it’s a man. I’m working my route.’ And little things like that, or Pop [DeMario Douglas]. So I don’t really understand things. It’s just kind of the reps of getting it. I think that’s something they continue to find. And as the weeks go on, you’ll see that improve.
Q: Drake, Hunter mentioned that he feels like he needs juice and energy this week. Is that something you feel like you need to bring to the locker room?
DM: I think as a quarterback, I think I need to bring it every day. Every day, that’s my responsibility that comes with playing a position, bringing juice and being the guy that somebody looked to, ‘hey, if Drake’s down,’ that’s the quarterback of the football team, I think it’s every day I need to bring juice. That’s kind of my personality anyway.
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