Drake Maye reportedly will begin this Sunday in opposition to the Houston Texans, Patriots followers have been in a frenzy.
Head coach Jerod Mayo and his workers reportedly deliberate on making this transfer in some unspecified time in the future this season, and the choice to begin the 2024 New England first-round decide was not influenced by final Sunday’s embarrassing loss to the Miami Dolphins.
It nonetheless was a perplexing resolution for the reason that Patriots are among the many league-worst in stress given up, and so they’ll face a Texans crew who’s among the many league leaders in stress created. Mayo and his workers will ask rather a lot out of Maye, however they seemingly imagine he can unlock one thing from an anemic offense.
The reported resolution was lambasted by followers and media. The 1-4 Patriots had on a regular basis on the planet and beginning Maye in opposition to a Tremendous Bowl contender appeared like a hasty resolution. There aren’t any points with that argument, however followers did go overboard when evaluating the scenario to Mac Jones.
Jones turned a controversial determine in New England in his last season. Some followers felt unhealthy for the Alabama product and thought Invoice Belichick and the group let him down. And others felt the 2021 first-round decide was by no means good and had solely himself in charge for his erratic play.
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Why are individuals evaluating Maye to Jones? Effectively, the worry in beginning Maye this Sunday is that he’ll take a beating that can hurt his improvement and pressure him into unhealthy habits. As an alternative of taking part in to the rhythm of the offense, there’s concern the 22-year-old can be working for his life making an attempt to make off-platform performs. That is what harmed Bryce Younger and stunted his progress with the Carolina Panthers.
Nevertheless, what if individuals have been simply mistaken on Jones and Younger? When the previous Crimson Tide quarterbacks entered the 2021 and 2023 drafts, respectively, there have been appreciable pink flags that proved true within the NFL. Jones was flagged for taking part in poorly underneath stress and never having the poise of an NFL starter. These points not solely have been with the Patriots but in addition his cameo look with the Jacksonville Jaguars this season. Younger’s measurement was a significant concern and was one thing he couldn’t overcome within the NFL.
Maye’s profile was the exact opposite. The North Carolina product was touted for his large arm and skill to make spotlight throws underneath stress. The problems got here on the psychological stage — studying coverages and going by way of progressions. He’s improved at that in follow with a number of coaches and gamers raving about his expertise.
When it got here to management, Jones didn’t cross the take a look at. He reportedly was mocked and vilified for his false bravado. Bailey Zappe reportedly earned greater reward than him from the locker room. Followers haven’t seen or heard something near that about Maye. The rookie’s been praised for being a sponge and studying as a lot as he can. The boldness he displayed in public felt extra legit than the façade Jones tried to show because the supposed Tom Brady successor he hoped to be.
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Will Maye make errors this Sunday? He most likely will. However Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels additionally made errors of their first begins, and each shortly proved why they have been picked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. If Maye really has the psychological toughness that he’s exerted, there ought to be no fears of him being “Mac Jones 2.0.”
