FOXBORO, Massachusetts – New England Patriots rookie Drake Maye took a step in the right direction against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday night at Gillette Stadium.
Maye took over for Patriots starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett (3 of 7, 17 yards, interception) early in the second quarter and played four series over the course of the second and third quarters. Joe Milton III entered the game early in the fourth quarter.
Maye completed five of his first seven pass attempts and led several consecutive rushing drives in the first half before completing 6 of 11 passes for 47 yards. All 47 of his passing yards came in the first half. Maye added four runs for 15 yards and a running touchdown.
It was an encouraging performance for the rookie playmaker, despite facing Philadelphia’s defenders from deep. Eagles defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, to name a few, didn’t destroy New England’s offensive line like they did when they practiced together.
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Maye played behind an offensive line that included both starters and backups. He initially took the field behind left tackle Vederian Lowe, left guard Sidy Sow, center Nick Leverett, right guard Mike Onwenu and right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor. Leverett replaced center David Andrews as the only difference from the starting group. Maye then played his next three series behind Lowe, Sow, Leverett, right guard Layden Robinson and right tackle Caedan Wallace. These were better groups than the ones Maye had throughout training camp.
After a rough first quarter for Brissett and the starting offense, which averaged 2.6 yards per play in the opening period, Maye gave the Patriots a boost, leading them on consecutive scoring drives and taking a 10-3 lead into halftime.
Arguably Maye’s best play of the night was his first third-down conversion. Maye hit freshman Javon Baker for a 12-yard gain on third-and-five. Baker appeared to be Maye’s third read on the play, the signal-caller scanning the defense on his first two reads, repositioning and throwing a strike to Baker. He also showed foresight on the throw.
Mayes’ offense stalled after Antonio Gibson was stopped on second and eight and could not gain any ground, but Joey Slye put the Patriots on the scoreboard with a 51-yard field goal to cap Mayes’ first drive.
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Maye took the Patriots into the red zone on his second drive, covering 42 yards on the first five plays. He connected with running back JaMycal Hasty for a 23-yard screen on third-and-11. Hasty completed each of the next two running attempts before Maye kept the zone read and scored his first touchdown in a Patriots uniform. Maye showed effortless agility and athleticism on the four-yard touchdown run.
The second half did not go quite as smoothly for Maye’s offense.
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Center Nick Leverett and Maye scored on a fumble snap at the beginning of Maye’s third possession. Baker dropped a well placed deep ball on third-and-10 shortly afterward, which was Maye’s first three-and-out of the game. It was a difficult play for Baker, but he has shown in training camp so far that he can make spectacular catches. Baker’s reaction to it suggested he thought he should have caught the ball, too, and it would likely have been Maye’s third consecutive scoring drive.
Considering Maye hasn’t shown much in training camp, the 50-foot throw would have been a notable finish.
His final possession was reminiscent of many Patriots training camps. He was constantly pressured before Lowe allowed outside linebacker Nolan Smith to catch Maye off guard with a sack on third down. It was Maye’s final play of the game.
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