Drake Maye Addresses ‘Too Poised’ Critique from Giants’ Top Pass Rusher
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has faced rising scrutiny as a leading NFL MVP candidate. Following a strong second season, he received critiques from commentators and opposing players alike. Notably, Giants pass rusher Brian Burns commented on Maye’s playing style, highlighting his poise in the pocket, but questioning if it was developing into a liability.
Brian Burns’ Critique
On Tuesday, Burns expressed uncertainty about Maye’s processing speed during games, stating, “He does seem to be poised—maybe a little too poised—in the pocket.” He elaborated that while Maye’s calmness could contribute to his decision-making, it might also cause him to overlook incoming defenders. Burns suggested that Maye’s focus on executing plays could sometimes lead to him being caught off guard by rushers.
Drake Maye’s Response
In response to the critique, Maye acknowledged the challenge of maintaining awareness of pressure while trying to make plays. He stated his aim to keep his focus downfield while being mindful of the rush. This balance is crucial in executing successful plays, especially considering his recognition of Burns as a formidable opponent.
Sack Statistics
This season, Maye has faced significant sack challenges, with 39 total sacks—ranking him third in the NFL. However, it’s essential to note that many of these sacks result from his movement patterns rather than pure inability to read the rush. The offensive line has allowed only 11 sacks, with non-offensive linemen accounting for three more. Below is a breakdown of his sacks:
- 4 sacks from running out of bounds at or behind the line of scrimmage.
- 3 sacks while scrambling outside the pocket.
- 12 sacks from stepping into or running into pressure.
- Often, long holding times manifested in unnecessary losses, particularly against the Steelers.
Improvement in Avoiding Sacks
Despite the high total, Maye’s recent performances have shown improvement. In the last three weeks, he has only been sacked three times. He credited this reduction to making quicker decisions and aiming to eliminate minor sacks by throwing the ball away when necessary. His emphasis is clear: reward his offensive line, which ranks 10th in pass-blocking efficiency this season.
Challenges Ahead
Looking ahead, Maye will face a significant challenge from the Giants’ defense, featuring stars like Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Abdul Carter, and Dexter Lawrence. His offensive line will be under extra pressure due to injuries to key players, including rookie left tackle Will Campbell and left guard Jared Wilson, who is expected to miss the upcoming game.
Advice from Teammates
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs emphasized the importance of receiver decisiveness to support Maye. “Being decisive and efficient is crucial,” he stated, underscoring the necessity for players to get open quickly and support the young quarterback’s efforts.
Need for Speed
On the metrics front, of the 35 qualified quarterbacks, Maye ranks poorly:
- 28th in fastest time per dropback
- 29th in fastest time to throw
- 30th in fastest time to sack
- 4th in fastest time to scramble
To enhance his play, Maye must aim to accelerate his decision-making process. This week’s game presents significant learning opportunities against the Giants’ formidable front, requiring him to balance his natural poise with an urgency to react to pressure.
