FOXBOROUGH - Well, that's not what we were looking for, now was it?
Drake Maye's preseason debut lasted six plays (seven, if you count the false start penalty). How, if I may ask, does that benefit a 21-year-old rookie who needs as many reps as humanly possible?
Anyone?
"This is the first preseason game," said Jerod Mayo after the game. "We still have two left. He'll have plenty of opportunities to go against other teams, the two other teams we play."
The Pats didn't call any audibles with Maye's usage. He knew the plan, and the team didn't stray from that plan. In his getting-the-feet-wet series, the young quarterback completed two of three passes for 19 yards. His first throw was a screen to Antonio Gibson, and the second was a swing pass to Kevin Harris. That was definitely not his first read, but it was necessary because of pressure coming off right tackle Chuks Okorafor. The lone incompletion was a high throw to Jalen Reagor in the hook/curl zone just inside the numbers. Reagor got both hands on the ball but couldn't corral it.
"Not a lot happened," said Maye of his night. "Threw a screen, first down, to move the chains. But, think on that third down, maybe should have tried to move downfield. Think we had some stop routes at the chains, instead of throwing into the flat. But hey, that's what you watch film for."
The other reason given for Maye's brief appearance was who he was playing with. Or better yet, who was playing in front of him.
"That's always a consideration," said Mayo. "You know, if he's in there, you want him in there with the starting offense line. We've got to protect that guy. I'm not saying we don't have to protect the other guys, but that absolutely did go into it."
Okay, okay. I get it, sort of. The Pats clearly wanted to avoid exposing Maye to the backup offensive line that - to this point - has made life more difficult for him in practice than I'm sure the coaching staff would like. The problem is we didn't see how Maye would react to some adversity in a game situation. We didn't get to see him run around and make plays, which Maye has consistently told us is part of who he is and what his game is about (and was something Joe Milton did later in the game because he got a chance to play multiple series). Instead, it was to play it safe so as not to be sorry (I guess?). I understand it, to a point. But the kid isn't mentally fragile. Live a little. And learn.
"I think the amount of reps I'm getting in practice is great for me," said Maye when I asked, "I'm just trying to take all the reps that I can get, that I am getting, and make the most of 'em."
So, now the goalposts get moved to next week, especially the joint practice with the Eagles on Tuesday (before preseason game #2 on Thursday). Mac Jones' performance against the Giants back in 2021 during joint practices ushered him in and Cam Newton out that summer. This summer? Based on what we've seen through camp, it's unlikely to happen with Maye, but the Pats need to give him more opportunities with the top unit to better understand what he's capable of and how soon he might be capable of consistently doing it.