There are leaders. And leader wannabes.
For some, it comes naturally. For others, it takes work.
He falls into the natural category. It’s part of his secret sauce. His leadership is unassuming, yet impactful.
If the ‘Aw shucks’ North Carolina kid speaks up, players listen. That much was obvious after what transpired prior to Sunday’s game with the Chicago Bears.
Last week, he instinctively knew it was his time to step up and assert some leadership. It had been a slow build to get to this point, but the Patriots rookie quarterback decided to clear that hurdle.
When Maye first arrived in Foxborough, he was polite, eager to learn, and deferential to those who had been there, done that – Jacoby Brissett in particular.
He carefully watched the veteran and took notes on how an NFL quarterback was supposed to lead on and off the field. But Maye was the starter now. He was given the reins a month ago.
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So when practice wasn’t going well Wednesday in prepping for the Chicago Bears, Maye asked offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt if it was okay to speak with the group.
As Maye explained after the game, he may have fumbled a few words, but thought it was important to get a message out.
And hearing what the players had to say after beating the Bears, the message struck the proper tone. It was well-received.
Speaking with MassLive Monday as a guest on “Eye on Foxborough,” injured center David Andrews spoke about that being a turning point in Maye’s evolution. He was impressed the rookie took the initiative to speak with the offense after a practice that didn’t live up to standards.
Timing is everything. And Maye’s timing was spot on. Andrews even invoked the name of Tom Brady, who had a feel for when to address the room.
“Tom didn’t get up there every day and tell us what we needed to do,” Andrews said. “There’s very few times in my career that I remember Tom ever addressing the offense. But they were at critical moments, critical points.
“So for (Drake) to get up there and say his peace when he did, I think guys appreciate that, guys listen to that. Guys respect Drake a lot.”
Andrews firmly believes there are four positions in football that require having a player with leadership qualities: quarterback, center, linebacker, safety. He then told a funny story about how his role as a leader evolved and came to be.
He had started 11 games as a rookie. As an undrafted player, he was just trying to contribute and do his job that first year. Then Bill Belichick approached him.
“I’ll never forget, I was making a PB&J in the lunch line, and he walked up to me, and I thought, ‘Oh, no!’’’ Andrews said, fearing the worst. “And he was like, you have to be a leader now. This is part of that role, it’s part of that job (as a center). You have to lead and help try to lead the offense … At that point, I was probably trying to not throw up.”
Andrews said there were plenty of veterans in the room, particularly on the offensive line with Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder and Marcus Cannon. Belichick, however, thought it was important for his center to be a leader.
“It took me a minute to find my way, and learn about leadership,” Andrews said, adding about Maye: “As a young player, just learning that, feeling comfortable to do it, I think it’s a huge step in growth.”
It was a significant moment for Maye. But that leadership role is still evolving. Brissett is a team captain and an established voice. Maye is still laying his foundation. He’s also mindful of not overstepping his bounds – asking permission to talk – but Maye also recognizes it’s his team now.
This is what he’s supposed to do.
Andrews believes having the respect of teammates, gaining their trust, especially on the offensive side of the ball, is something that has to be earned.
While Maye has only started five games, he’s quickly made strides and gotten the locker room on board. He’s gone about his job the right way. He’s worked hard, been accountable, and is usually the first to shoulder blame if the situation warrants it.
Maye has all of those intangibles down in spades. After the Chicago win, he went around the room, shaking hands with all of the offensive players. Then, his first comments on the podium were about the defense, applauding how well that unit played in the 19-3 win.
He clearly gets it. He’s smart and has a savvy beyond his years.
As for earning it on the field, that’s coming along, too. He’s thrown seven TD passes in five games. He’s had his share of mistakes, but his talent, ability and toughness have overshadowed those.
“You gotta earn respect in this league. You earn that by being a good player, number one obviously. And then No. 2, how you carry yourself every day,” Andrews said. “He’s done a great job of that since he’s come in. So, that’s something he’ll grow into, and learn and develop like every young player does.”
Maye is clearly on his way. That much is obvious.
