FOXBORO — Drake Maye received a glowing assessment from a Patriots coach for the second time this week Thursday when offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt was asked about the rookie quarterback Thursday.
“Really good,” Van Pelt said when asked how Maye has performed in practice. “He’s continuing to grow. I think the game experience the other night will only help him moving forward. But the plan’s in place, and we’re starting to see him to grow on the practice field, as well.”
Maye was 4-of-8 for 22 yards in Thursday night’s loss to the Jets, backing up starter Jacoby Brissett. He also rushed twice for 12 yards.
Head coach Jerod Mayo also said Wednesday that Maye has “looked good in practice.”
The Patriots are still divvying up quarterbacks snaps 70-30 for Brissett and Maye.
“It’s a fine line. It definitely is,” Van Pelt said of the split. “For me, it’s all about the Sunday game. I feel like (the starter’s) got to get every opportunity he can. At the same time, you want to develop and bring Drake along. So, it’s a fine line of deciding what has Jacoby had 1,000 reps in, then maybe he doesn’t need this rep in practice that we can get Drake some growth there and give him that rep. If it’s something that’s new that’s in the system that week, it’s a new play, then obviously we won’t be able to give Drake that rep. So, it’s finding a fine line of what you’ve had a ton of reps in and what we feel comfortable taking away from Jacoby and giving to Drake. But both are ultimately important.”
Extra points
Rookie offensive linemen Layden Robinson and Caedan Wallace have both described blocking for starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett as being like protecting a family member while speaking to the media this week … Keeping with the family metaphors, Van Pelt on running back Rhamondre Stevenson’s fumbling issues: “It’s like yelling at your child. You love the guy and he does the right thing the majority of the time, but if it’s an issue, you have to sit down and address it. He’s more embarrassed about it than anybody else” … Defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington said safety Marte Mapu (injured reserve) and linebacker Sione Takitaki (PUP list) will provide fresh legs when they return. Both are eligible to play after Week 4. Takitaki could fill in Ja’Whaun Bentley’s spot at linebacker, while Mapu could provide relief at safety, linebacker and in the slot.
