The difference between most rookie roller coasters and Maye is the Patriots have not only asked him to drive, but serve as their navigator, engine and airbags. Maye’s arm is Plan A, his instincts are Plan B, and if any other part of the offense breaks down, his legs become Plan C. You saw it all Sunday. Maye bailed the offensive line out of multiple sacks against the NFL’s No. 1 pass defense. He rushed for 95 yards, and his next closest teammate had 16. Early on, Maye’s off-schedule playmaking accounted for half of the the Patriots’ total yards, and later pushed them into overtime.
If a kid takes his parents’ car for a joy ride and steers into an accident, you don’t blame the kid.
You blame mom and dad for handing him the keys.
Drake Maye steered the Patriots into a 20-17 loss Sunday in Tennessee. He got strip-sacked and threw two interceptions, including an overtime bomb that blew up in his face instead of detonating the Titans’ secondary and ended the game. But forgive Maye.
The Patriots handed him the keys knowing rookies fumble. And throw picks. And generally subject their teammates and coaches to a roller coaster of football highs and lows, and occasionally a loop or two. This is the ride they’ve chosen.
The difference between Maye and most rookies is the Patriots have not only asked him to drive, but serve as their engine and airbags. Maye’s arm is Plan A, his instincts are Plan B, and if any other part of the offense breaks down, his legs become Plan C. You saw it all on Sunday.
Maye bailed his offensive line out of multiple sacks against the NFL’s No. 1 pass defense.
