FOXBORO - Drake Maye knows the New England Patriots need more from him this week, but he doesn’t see that as a one-game assignment.
With A.J. Brown sidelined for at least the next four weeks, the Patriots’ offense enters Sunday with a sharper edge and a thinner margin for error. Pittsburgh is coming to town, and Maye has a chance to answer after last week’s ugly loss to the Seattle Seahawks while also chasing the Patriots’ first home win of the year.
Still, the quarterback said the responsibility doesn’t change based on who’s available.
“I think that's the job of the quarterback” Maye told reporters following Wednesday's practice. “I think (we) got some guys that have to step up, and realizing that they know that, and they’re ready for it, and really just trusting them, instilling confidence in them and just keeping the chains moving and realizing the power of a positive play and knowing those guys and be on the same page. Out here in a home environment, first one at home, looking forward to getting in front of the crowd and having that juice.”
Maye’s roughest moments last week came when he tried to force the issue late. In the fourth quarter, he took too many dangerous chances, and the result was three interceptions, including the game-ending pick in the end zone with less than a minute left. It was a reminder that not every snap needs to turn into a shot at the top of the scoreboard.
Mike Vrabel said that balance is part of the job.
“That's what playing quarterback or playing in this league is all about,” head coach Mike Vrabel said. “It is about our players having the knowledge, the skill and the repetitions to make great split-second decisions. I think that there is a difference between - we have said this - being reckless and being aggressive.
“We want to be aggressive. That's how we want to play. But we also have to make great decisions when there is a look or something that maybe would take a certain play away.”
Accuracy has long been Maye’s calling card. Last season, he led the NFL in completion percentage and used that strength to help push the Patriots to Super Bowl LX. Against that same defense he saw in the championship bout, though, he wasn’t nearly as sharp.
Now the focus shifts to making that part of his game show up again, even without Brown on the field. Maye will have to build timing with Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins and Efton Chism III as he prepares for Pittsburgh.
“I’m trying to be the best I can back there and strive to have games like last year where I am close to completing every pass,” Maye said. “I think that takes everybody. It's a team effort and realizing that a lot of guys need to step up and do extra things and strain a little bit harder for us to keep going in the right direction.”
For Maye, the equation is simple: injuries happen, bad games happen, and the quarterback still has to keep moving the offense forward.
“My position is built on split-second decisions, and that's football,” he said. “It's a game of inches.
It's a game of decisions in an instant. ... I think that's the purpose of practicing and getting in the mindset, and knowing what I need to do to help this team win.”
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