FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Drake Maye received phrases of encouragement from one other excessive draft decide on Sunday after the New England Patriots misplaced to the Texans within the rookie’s first profession begin.
A yr in the past, Houston’s C.J. Stroud was in Maye’s footwear — a first-year quarterback entrusted to guide the franchise after getting chosen early within the draft. Stroud was the No. 2 general decide, and Maye was taken third.
Stroud misplaced his first two begins earlier than main the Texans to the playoffs. Given the sorry state of Maye’s workforce, the Patriots (1-5) are unlikely to make an identical run.
Nonetheless, Maye’s efficiency in the Patriots’ 41-21 loss to the Texans offered a jolt of power. He completed 22 of 30 for 243 yards with an 88.3 passer score. With three landing passes, the 22-year-old exceeded the five-game whole of Jacoby Brissett, whose ineffectiveness prompted Patriots coach Jerod Mayo to modify to the rookie.
“I used to be a little bit amped at first for positive. The blokes round me have been nice making an attempt to settle me down, and Jacoby was an enormous a part of that,” Maye stated.
Maye took his first snap as an NFL beginning QB at 9:08 of the primary quarter. His picture showing on the Gillette Stadium video board prompted an enormous ovation from the group.
“It gave me goosebumps going on the market for the primary time,” Maye stated. “I’m in a terrific spot with the Patriots right here and taking part in quarterback within the NFL.”
His debut was a mixture of positives and studying moments. He overthrew DeMario Douglas for a first-quarter interception however linked with Douglas for a 35-yard landing within the fourth quarter.
“I like how he gained confidence all through the sport and I believed it was first recreation for him,” Douglas stated.
Patriots followers are hoping Maye can emerge because the franchise’s long-sought-after resolution within the post-Tom Brady period, and so they discovered cause to be inspired late within the first half. Wanting downfield, Maye unleashed an ideal throw that dropped into Kayshon Boutte’s arms for a 40-yard landing that received New England inside 14-7.
“His competitiveness was nice,” stated tight finish Hunter Henry, who caught a TD go from Maye within the third quarter.
Maye additionally rushed for a team-best 38 yards, as his potential to scramble and maintain performs alive added a component to a New England offense that regressed after successful its season opener at Cincinnati and taking Seattle to extra time in Week 2. He additionally discovered the significance of taking good care of the ball — one in every of Houston’s 4 sacks led to a fumble that gave the Texans the ball on the Patriots 10-yard line.
“I believe I took a pair sacks the place I might have thrown it away or thrown check-downs as an alternative of getting a sack,” Maye stated. “Simply stored hurting ourselves, and on this league, these groups are too good to try this. However some nice stuff to look at on movie.”
Stroud was requested concerning the phrases of encouragement he gave Maye when the 2 younger QBs crossed paths after the ultimate whistle.
“Simply be your self, . Every part that received you right here will maintain the place you wish to go and actually simply belief your self. Belief that you simply’ll ultimately determine it out. You’ll have unhealthy days. You’ll have good days. There are days the place you’ll have a look at your self like, man, I’m the worst quarterback on the earth, nevertheless it’s at all times about getting up the following day and maintain going,” Stroud stated. “I believed he performed actually stable. Undoubtedly really feel like he’ll get higher and higher as he retains going.”
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