Does Jerod Mayo want the Patriots to start Drake Maye?

FOXBORO — The Patriots spent many of the final seven days self-scouting.

Figuring out weaknesses, plotting methods to amplify their strengths and finally mild a path ahead after last week’s 24-3 step back.

Let’s name it skilled “me time.”

Jerod Mayo could desire a couple extra minutes to himself, particularly along with his media tape. As a result of a scouting report of his current feedback concerning the Patriots’ quarterback scenario more and more suggests he may wish to hand the keys to Drake Maye.

Begin with yesterday’s press convention.

Mayo stated this in response to a follow-up query concerning the rookie’s apply efficiency and why the Patriots are disinclined to signal a veteran backup: “(Maye)’s regarded good in apply, however as soon as once more, it’s simply apply. You wish to get a man like that, clearly, on the soccer subject. However at this present time – I don’t wish to return to that reply – however at this present time, we’re simply not wanting so as to add any items at that spot.”

“You wish to get a man like that, clearly, on the soccer subject.”

Now, think about that remark in opposition to the backdrop of the final six weeks.

Close to the tip of coaching camp, Mayo insisted Maye may win the quarterback competitors, regardless of the very fact Jacoby Brissett began all three preseason video games and took greater than 98% of the first-team reps in apply. After the preseason finale, Mayo volunteered that Maye had out-played the veteran.

“It is a true competitors, and I’d say at this present level, Drake has out-played Jacoby,” Mayo stated earlier than including he would weigh different components earlier than naming a starter.

Days later, as he named Brissett the starter, Mayo stated: “We now have determined, or I’ve determined, that Jacoby Brissett can be our beginning quarterback this season.”

Effectively, was it we or me?

The next week, Mayo declared crucial trait in a quarterback is his capacity to increase performs; an apparent power of Maye’s and considerably of a weak point for the opposite man.

“I’m not speaking concerning the Michael Vick-type, you understand, working down the sector,” Mayo explained on Davon Godchaux’s podcast, “I’m speaking about simply extending performs. In case you have that talent set, to me that’s crucial factor.”

And after final week’s loss to the Jets, Mayo was non-committal about Brissett holding his job.

“I don’t know,” Mayo stated. “We speak about each single week you’re competing for a job, so we’ll get collectively as a training workers and see the place it goes.”

Now, let’s get an apparent counter-argument out of the best way.

Am I cherry-picking right here? You wager. That is natural, grass-fed, good quaint cherry-picking impressed by a rising intestine feeling Mayo is extra keen to start out Maye than different workforce leaders primarily based on his feedback.

However there isn’t a denying that’s a heap of cherries, and documenting every little thing Mayo has stated concerning the Patriots’ quarterback scenario would require extra time and area than we now have. You are able to do that by yourself, simply as I did after each press convention, video name and extra since Maye was drafted.

Although to shortly be honest to Mayo, he did reaffirm Brissett’s starter hours after the Jets loss, and has since made different remarks that not solely assist the veteran, however correctly acknowledged the offense’s inability to protect him.

“We now have to assist (Brissett) throughout the board as a training workers and as gamers. We now have to assist him, preserve him clear,” he said Monday, “and hopefully give him alternatives to search for the open receiver.”

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So why is not Mayo, who has claimed full authority over the depth chart, beginning Maye?

He cannot. Not but anyway.

Not whereas the Patriots permit 10 quarterback hits per sport. Not whereas the offensive line yields a league-worst stress price of 48.5%, together with seven sacks final week. Not whereas Brissett will get pummeled drive after drive, but nonetheless hasn’t turned the ball over as soon as or failed in such a transparent and apparent approach he deserves to lose his job.

As a result of in spite of everything, this was the plan; a plan Mayo designed with offensive coordinator/head coach of the offense Alex Van Pelt and personnel chief Eliot Wolf, who each have enter into the quarterback determination and long-term stakes in Maye’s growth.

Step 1: Use Brissett to assist re-establish the locker room tradition. He grew to become a workforce captain.

Step 2: Let Brissett navigate a gap schedule of brutal defenses and conniving defensive coordinators to maintain the Patriots aggressive. They’ve been.

Step 3: Throw Brissett into a hearth that may burn down the arrogance of a younger quarterback, however feels acquainted to a nine-year veteran.

“We simply really feel just like the worst factor that would occur is you set a man in earlier than he’s prepared, after which it’s important to take him out,” Wolf told the Herald in Week 1.

“I simply preserve getting up,” Brissett stated Wednesday.

Maye will ultimately power the Patriots’ hand and play this season. He is already taking 30% of the workforce’s beginning reps in apply, a quantity six occasions that of a standard backup. Past that, the coaches are force-feeding him extra snaps on the scout workforce, and he is impressed.