Patriots Preseason Opener

By Steve Atkinson 

The Patriots had their preseason opener on Friday night, and it was a blowout win. Drake Maye played two series, had a strip fumble, and ran for a touchdown. Overall, the offense looked competent, and the offensive line with Will Campbell was surprisingly good. But now the key is can Drake Maye and the offense can be consistent in the regular season.

Drake Maye played more in the joint practice than in the actual preseason game. It is known that players get more out of the joint practice than they do in the preseason game. Maye and the offense looked better in the joint practice than they did in two series in the actual game. Which is fine because they look like an offense, unlike last year.

The defense is solid and really not anything to talk about. The offense has the biggest questions going I, and it seems like they hit on the draft picks this year. Henderson looks like he’s going to play a major role in the offense.

 I think that was one of the phases that we talked that was going to be so critical. It’s hard to really rep full speed. We got a few of ’em against Washington. I think we saw some things that we can improve on. That’s exactly what we did. I think TreVeyon read it out and hit the hole and everybody else blocked and finished and did all those good things. It’s a step in the right direction. I think it’s exciting. We talk about how critical a phase of a game is going to be, to be able to come out here and work on it.

Mike Vrabel is hard on Drake Maye because he knows he’s going to be a good quarterback in the NFL.

I would say you about summed it up. That’s a bad decision. I think we’re going to need better from him. I think he knows that. That’s obvious. It wasn’t there. We just have to be able to find a way to get rid of the football or take a sack and punt and play defense. But to the defense’s credit, they forced a field goal I think that was missed maybe. It was a sudden-change opportunity.

Drake Maye on the fumble

I was excited to get out there. TreVeyon [Henderson] takes it the hundred yards. It was pretty sweet. Yeah, you got a little bit of a drive going. Third down. Yeah, just can’t do that on my first time out. Glad we responded well that next drive. Yeah, same time I’m glad it’s something that I can control. But at the end of the day you just can’t put the defense in that position when games matter, during the season. I told those guys it’s on me, we got to get back out there. Glad I was able to get another series going.

The Patriots have a joint practice with the Minnesota Vikings before their second preseason game next Saturday.