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A ‘new-age’ QB: Drake Maye’s ability to extend plays is a game-changer originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
FOXBORO — The Patriots knew Drake Maye would have the ability to help them with his legs as early as Sunday.
While part of the reason the team turned to the rookie when it did was because of its disappointing passing-game performance through five weeks, another reason was that Maye was ready to play. And part of the reason he was ready to play was because he was able to go off-script occasionally and turn failed pass calls into positive gains on the ground.
“Physically, look: this guy definitely gives us a chance to kind of get some of those off-schedule plays that you guys always see on TV,” head coach Jerod Mayo said Wednesday.
That style of quarterbacking isn’t something Patriots fans have seen in some time, but it was certainly on display during New England’s 41-21 loss to the Texans.
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Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt didn’t appear to call a single designed quarterback run in the game. But Maye ended up scrambling five times for 38 yards. He also hit one of his longest pass plays on the day — a 30-yarder to Hunter Henry in the third quarter — after moving behind the line to extend the play before finding his tight end for an explosive catch and run.
“He’s super athletic,” Henry said later. “He’s very mobile, so you’ve got to be ready at all times, any route to be able to kind of convert into a scramble-drill kind of mode. In that moment, he was able to just kind of find me and make a play. He’s a playmaker; he’s a great player, and he’s only going to continue to get better.”
Including Maye’s non-designed runs and his extended-play throws, the Patriots had what looked like eight off-script plays that went for a total of 68 yards, which is an average of 8.5 yards per play.
“Credit to Maye,” said…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/age-qb-drake-mayes-ability-134940632.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2024-10-14 13:49:40
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