FOXBOROUGH – Drake Maye doesn’t seem too stressed about drawing the ire of Stefon Diggs, who has a reputation for getting on quarterbacks who don’t feed him the ball enough.
During his media session Monday, Maye downplayed feeling any type of pressure to make sure Diggs gets the ball – and avoid setting him off.
In fact, he’s happy to feed Diggs to his heart’s content with one caveat: Get open.
“I’m going to try to throw to the guys who are open,” Maye said. “If he’s open a lot, then he’ll get the ball a lot.”
Good answer.
Forcing the ball to anyone is never the best option. No doubt offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has preached having his young quarterback throw to the open receiver.
That mindset worked for Tom Brady. It should work for any quarterback operating McDaniels’ offense.
Of late, with practices ramping up ahead of the September 7 season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, Diggs involvement has been noticeable.
Let’s just say the Maye-Diggs connection appears to be alive and well.
Although, with Diggs coming off ACL surgery, it’s still hard to predict just how good he’ll be when the real bullets start flying in less than two weeks.
Getting open in practice is one thing. NFL games are another.
Will he in fact be able to create some daylight with the league’s top corners marking him every week?
If Diggs makes it happen, Maye promises to find him.
The Patriots quarterback has been encouraged by the chemistry they’ve developed during training camp.
Maye said he wants to feed Diggs as much as possible. Obviously, there will be great interest in the dynamics of that duo, especially if Diggs doesn’t get the ball and throws a fit.
“Shoot, he’s a phenomenal player. What he can do, how much ball he’s played and how many plays he’s made, (I want to) just try to give him the football, whether it’s extra work with him, extra work at practice or in the film room or trying to be on the same page,” Maye said. “I think once he’s got one-on-one matchups, or he feels zone – he knows coverage really well, so I think he can do a lot of things well … it’s good for us to use him as much as he’s able to handle.”
For now, that’s a wait-and-see prospect. He has certainly looked the part of late.
While the 31-year-old Diggs might not be what he was in his prime, when he ripped off six straight 1,000-yard seasons, he’s certainly good enough – if healthy – to impact the offense.
On Sunday, Patriots receiver Mack Hollins, a 9-year veteran, noted how easily footwork and getting in and out of breaks comes to Diggs.
His talent is obvious, even coming off injury. He’s the best route runner in the building. During 1-on-1s in Minnesota, it was noticeable. He was dynamite getting open with his quick cuts.
And Maye has managed in a short time to build some chemistry with the 4-time Pro Bowl receiver. But he also has that in spades with others.
Maye and his two tight ends – Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper – have shown a real connection. That started last year with Henry (66 catches, 674 yards, 2 TDs) his favorite target.
The Patriots quarterback also clicked with DeMario “Pop” Douglas and Kayshon Boutte last year. And they’ve picked up where they left off, with Douglas being the best of the lot during training camp.
Hollins, meanwhile, has done a good job of playing catchup since coming off the PUP list.
Add in explosive rookie back TreVeyon Henderson coming out of the backfield, and Maye has quite a few options.
Now, if a few of the Patriots wideouts get open, Maye is going to have to quickly choose where the ball is headed.
His on-field bond with Diggs, however, needs to set the tone. If Diggs can get open, and make enough plays, defenses will have to pay more attention to him.
That’s the hope. That’ll be the key to elevating a receiver group that doesn’t move the needle otherwise. That will open up lanes for others, even if Diggs is closer to being a No. 2 receiver, than a legitimate top gun.
“I think it’s exciting to get out there, throw him a couple of balls and build the chemistry in practice,” Maye said. “I think we’ve kind of built it here lately, and I think just kind of carry that into the season.”
Get open. That’s what Diggs needs to do come September to keep the peace.
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