FOXBOROUGH – Between the firestorm created by Jerod Mayo calling his team soft, one veteran wideout coyly seeking a trade, others challenging the offensive play-calling and a prominent defensive player accusing his teammates of quitting, the Patriots have come off as a dysfunctional mess in recent weeks.
Add in former head coach Bill Belichick throwing shade at Mayo and the organization, and it’s as if a tornado swept through the locker room.
Amid all of the turmoil, one player has been the calm in the storm.
That’s 22-year-old Drake Maye. The rookie quarterback has risen above the fray, saying and doing all the right things.
“He’s the calm in the storm,” wide receiver Kendrick Bourne told MassLive Thursday. “He’s the bright spot. He gives us hope for where we’re headed. I love that about him.
“Him and (Alex Van Pelt) have that calm. We‘re not getting the results right now, but I think AVP rubs off on Drake. He tells him, ‘It’s not all on you. It’s a team effort.”’
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Maye has been quick to shoulder the blame for mistakes he’s made – as well as others in the offense. His performances since taking over as the starter have also provided reassurance he can handle the job. Maye has shown a maturity well beyond his years on and off the field.
With a team that’s lost six straight heading into Sunday’s game with the New York Jets, that maturity has been a godsend.
“He’s been really good dealing with all the stuff. The comments I’ve seen him make in the media were very mature,” Bourne said. “So I think he’s doing a good job of supporting his teammates and being a leader.
“The quarterback is the leader, so I think he’s doing a good job of answering the questions the right way. I think he generally means it, too.”
Running back Rhamondre Stevenson called Maye “the ultimate leader” during his media session Thursday.
The rookie has impressed at every turn. He’s learned by watching veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who has been a terrific mentor.
Bourne also believes Maye’s upbringing, being raised in an athletic family, has been instrumental in providing the necessary tools to deal with the current situation.
“He’s impressive,” Bourne said. “That’s the kind of people we want in the locker room. People who will take accountability.”
Beyond that, Maye has also started to forge his imprint on the offense. He’s worked overtime to gain chemistry with his receivers, and is on his way to establishing a go-to guy. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said tight end Hunter Henry has already earned the “security blanket” title for his young quarterback.
While Maye loves having a go-to-guy, he doesn’t want to leave anyone out. It’s important for him to make sure different guys are getting the ball.
“Yeah, I think it’s a big deal,” Maye said Wednesday. “At the same time, it’s also something that I keep in mind of getting guys the football. Especially in one-on-one scenarios, we have different guys that make plays. At the same time, right now I’m just trying to do my part in the offense and not try to worry about that as much.
“I think there’s definitely times in games where I’m going to tell you, ‘hey, if you’re one-on-one next time, I’m coming your way.’ I told KB [Kendrick Bourne] that later in the game that I need to give him some more chances. He’s a good player for us. So, little things like that, I care about. But, the guys want the football and I try to feed them all. That’s the best thing. But at the same time, everybody is going to want the ball more than probably they’re going to get. So you’ve got to balance that aspect.”
Kayshon Boutte, who has connected with Maye a few times on the long ball, is one who’s griped about a lack of targets. K.J. Osborn is being held back in favor of the younger receivers to the point he’d like to be elsewhere. Meanwhile, rookie Ja’Lynn Polk has had a stretch where he’s had trouble holding onto the football.
Let’s just say it hasn’t been an ideal situation for Maye, who’s thrown five touchdown passes during his two games as a starter, along with two picks. But he’s rolled with the punches.
Maye has been incredibly supportive of Polk, and the group as a whole. He’s tried to pump up Polk, putting it on himself to get his fellow rookie going. For that matter, he’s tried to keep guys upbeat during their current struggles.
“I think as a quarterback, I think I need to bring it every day,” Maye said. “Every day, that’s my responsibility that comes with playing a position, bringing juice and being the guy that somebody looked to, ‘Hey, if Drake’s down,’ that’s the quarterback of the football team. I think it’s every day I need to bring juice. That’s kind of my personality anyway.”
