The first Maye Day in New England was solid but unspectacular in the Patriots’ season opener. It only lasted seven games.
After starter Jacoby Brissett was taken out of the game after just one series, the keys were handed to rookie Drake Maye. The rookie completed two of three passes for 19 yards – one of which was a screen and one a checkdown – before the offense took the ball to punt.
He retreated to the sidelines, swapped his helmet for an earpiece, and was never seen on the field again.
“That was always the plan,” head coach Jerod Mayo said after the game. “The plan was to bring him in for a series, bring Jacoby in for a series and then really make it the Zappe show and then the Joe show. That was the plan from the beginning.”
Given a recent series of injuries on the offensive line, Mayo said potential protection issues played a role in Brissett and Maye each playing just one series. Both quarterbacks were on the projected starting offensive line, which also included tackles Vederian Lowe and Chuks Okorafor.
“That’s always a consideration,” Mayo explained. “If he’s in, we want him in the starting lineup. We have to protect him. I’m not saying we don’t have to protect the other guys, but they certainly will.”
With Brissett and Maye out for the first quarter, Bailey Zappe took over as quarterback. Zappe, who led a five-play touchdown drive, worked into the third quarter before Milton took over at the 4:01 mark.
Then the Joe Milton experience was in full swing, as the freshman showed off his athletic ability and strong arm — running through the backfield before making a 12-yard gain and throwing a touchdown to a free-standing JaQuae Jackson. The performance earned praise from his head coach.
“The easy answer would be Joe (Milton III),” Mayo said when asked who stood out. “Joe went out there and I don’t think we’ve ever seen a quarterback here that runs around as much as he does and still be able to get the ball down the field. He’s one of those guys. It was Joe.”
As the Patriots now turn their attention to the second week of preseason, a joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles is scheduled. As Mayo shared, this will likely result in a change in quarterback reps, with Maye likely making up for lost time by getting plenty of practice reps.
“I think I’m getting a lot of reps in practice,” Maye said. “I think practice shows that it’s all about practice. … So I think the number of reps I’m getting in practice is great for me, and I’m just trying to take all the reps I can get. I’m going to make the most of it.”
“I mean, look, the reps, that’s something we have to talk to (Alex Van Pelt) about,” Mayo added. “At the same time, I would say that’s a big week for us against Philly. We’ll see what happens in practice and then in the game as well. But he’s ready. When he’s ready, we’ll put him in.”
