FOXBOROUGH - During his tenure in Tennessee, Mike Vrabel had two very athletic quarterbacks start a majority of the games for him - Marcus Mariota and Ryan Tannehill. Based on Vrabel's reputation as being someone who leans on the run game, you would think he would have allowed those players to have a package of plays that allowed them to be regular ball carriers. Not so fast, my friends.
Mariota may have rushed for 357 yards in 2018-19, but had only 17 designed running plays (per PFF) in 14 games. Tannehill never exceeded more than 270 yards rushing in a single season with the Titans, and had a high of 14 designed runs (again per PFF) in 2021-22. Drake Maye is in a different age bracket than Tannehill was when he ascended to the top spot in Nashville, but I'm not so sure Vrabel is ready to unleash The Drake as a runner.
"Yeah, I mean, we don't need to run over every player on defense, nor should we try," said Vrabel when I asked if Maye needed to prove he could protect himself. "It's critical that those plays are available to us, and we do a good job of picking and choosing the appropriate time. And then, when they do have the football in their hands, they have to, one, be able to secure it and be able to protect themselves and use the rules to their advantage.
"Being able to give themselves up is something that's critical, and I get that a lot of these young players, they feel like they're fearless, and that's great, but we just have to make sure that we're making great decisions."
Maye, who was the definition of fearless and also reckless last year, agreed with Vrabel's statement.
"I think that's important," he said. "I think I faced that in college. My first year, I was really kind of running around and doing some stuff I probably shouldn't have out there with pads on. So I think just taking care of my body and being smart, but also knowing when it's third down, and when it's near the end zone. Like, I'm 6'5" and 230 pounds, go get something."
The red area was an area where Vrabel and his offensive coordinators (Arthur Smith and Todd Downing) were more open to having Tannehill tuck it and go. He had seven rushing touchdowns in back-to-back seasons, and we've already seen Maye have the ability to impact games in that regard (think of his beautifully executed TD run versus the Jets at Gillette).
"I think it's an even balance of gaining an extra hat," pointed out Maye. "You know, having the quarterback be able to run the football, you get an extra number. You're making it 11 on 11 instead of 10 on 11. So I think it's always a, you know, it's useful, and I think at the end of the day, I'll make some plays kind of off schedule anyway. But mixing in the quarterback run game is something I'm open to. And it's always tough on a defense that has to cover that and keep that in mind."
The 22-year-old was asked a quick follow-up, wondering if McDaniels was on board with that (even though Joshua Dobbs told us the OC wants the QBs to stress the defense with their legs). There was a sizable pause.
"Uhh, whatever they put me up to I'm up for," said Maye, adding, "I'm prepared for whatever."
What has been very evident is just how much more polished and decisive Maye has been in this camp than he was a year ago, when at times things were definitely moving too fast. That's not to say there haven't been hiccups - he's struggled with some bouts of inaccuracy and we've seen the double clutch pop up here and there - but overall, there's a calmness to Maye's game that I'm not sure was evident even as he settled in as the starter last year. It's been impressive to watch, and his practice on Wednesday was arguably his best of the summer. Can he feel what we're seeing?
"I mean, that's what you hope," Maye said. "I think I'm trying to come from this offense, kind of take the next steps as we go. And I think the real test will be when the games come and when we get in these joint practices. So, I'm looking forward, and I'm proud of the work we've done and I feel good. I feel it’s a good spot. But I think there’s still a lot of work left."
Maye has yet to throw an interception in camp, but hasn't gone all Checkdown Charlie on us either. There's been a good mix of being smart, but also keeping his eyes downfield, looking to make something bigger happen. It's a fine line to walk, and the second-year pro is unlikely to be on the right side of it all the time, but it's essential not to neuter the natural playmaker in Maye.
"It's one of those things where I'm trying to take care of the football," said Maye of the interception streak. "And maybe they could have had a few here and there. Pep (Jabril Peppers) should have had one the first practice. I joke a bit about it, but yeah, I think that's a goal of ours, to cover the football. You're not trying to, like you said, throw off the perfect game or no-hitter. But I think that's part - (don't be) scared to throw it. I'm still not gun-shy."
There's a time and a place for that mentality, and that will be part of the on-field maturation process. But for now, Maye is acing the tests in front of him, which is all the coaching staff can ask.