FOXBOROUGH – Watching Drake Maye improvise on the fly, trying to make something out of nothing is part of the reason why his stock as a quarterback has exploded in recent weeks.
His ability to use his legs and operate on the move is such an advantage.
It’s also a cause for sleepless nights if you’re Mike Vrabel, Josh McDaniels and the Patriots.
This team is one Maye injury away from ruining a get-well season that’s turned into something more and has fans charged up about the team once again.
As fun as it is to watch Maye freelance with the football, it invites potential harm.
During Sunday’s 31-13 win over Tennessee, Maye scrambled to his right on a third quarter play and was thrown down, slamming the back of his helmet to the turf. The Patriots quarterback shook his head, seemingly trying to shake out the cobwebs, as he got up.
Maye was about to continue on with the next play, when officials approached and led him off the field to get checked for a concussion.
We’ve seen this movie before. This isn’t the first episode where fans are left hoping for the best, but fearing the worst.
Last season, Maye missed time after suffering a concussion in the Week 8 game against the New York Jets, and was later evaluated for a concussion in the Week 17 game against the LA Chargers.
Maye, who returned to the Titans game after a short stint in the blue tent, has to figure out a way to stop churning out sequels.
If he doesn’t, the Patriots could turn into a pumpkin. There is no season without Maye at the helm.
That’s why the talk has ramped up this week about Maye protecting himself better.
To be fair, he had been doing a good job in previous weeks, either getting out of bounds, or sliding before getting hit.
Against Tennessee, however, Maye replaced caution with a little more daring.
He took off with the ball eight times, gaining 62 yards. He had a nifty 19-yard gain in the mix.
The problem?
The slides were few and far between. On the play his head bounced off the turf, there was no slide.
Getting the 23-year-old second-year quarterback to take the cautious route, however, isn’t as simple as it might seem.
Basically, you’re telling Maye not to be himself, to end plays without making the most out of them.
There’s no question Maye is great on the move. If receivers are covered, he threatens defenses with his ability to run. He just can’t survive in that world unless he takes fewer risks.
That means not fighting for extra yards. It means resisting the temptation to take off with every opening, waiting a tick longer to find open receivers.
It means not being Drake Maye.
Asked Wednesday if it went against his natural tendency trying to make the most out of a play, and just go down, Maye acknowledged the point.
“Yeah, I think it does,” he said, “but it doesn’t when you start to get hit and you start to wake up the next morning … I’m competitive and want to make the most out of every play, but I’ve also got to be smart over that.”
Looking back at the film of the Titans game, there were several occasions when Maye took off, ignoring receivers who were open.
That has to change.
He needs to be more prudent with his decision-making. And if taking off is the best decision, the coaches need to continue to drill home the importance of him not allowing defenses to take open shots at him in hopes of gaining more yards.
If he’s on the run, and leaves the pocket, sliding has to be a priority.
Of course circumstances come into play, but the majority of Maye’s runs should end with a slide.
Following the win over the Titans, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said the coaches would talk to Maye “about protecting himself and being smart.”
On Wednesday, Vrabel boiled it down to Maye needing to make good decisions.
For the most part, Vrabel believes his quarterback has tried to do that.
Then a scene like Sunday’s plays out and reminds everyone how important Maye is to the team’s success. Missing time isn’t an option.
While Maye didn’t seem the worst for wear, the next time, the Patriots might not be as fortunate.
“There’s always an emphasis on sliding for me,” said Maye, who has emerged as an MVP candidate with his stellar play. “They’ve said it since the beginning of the year. From last year, taking hits and knowing being out there for the next play is most important.”
Given Maye’s meteoric second-year leap, and role in the Patriots rise, it’s never been more important for him to be out there.
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