The New England Patriots made the Super Bowl last season, but there is still plenty of room for the team to improve.
Drake Maye had a phenomenal season, finishing as the MVP runner-up. However, he needs to take better care of the football. He threw just eight interceptions, but fumbles were a problem. Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski called out the fumbles and wants to see Maye improve in that department in Year 3.
"What I really loved about him and his improvement from Year 1 to Year 2 was that he learned how to read a defense," Gronkowski told Covers.com's DJ Siddiqi. "He learned how to check it down in the situations when the situation is presented, not to force your ball, but check it down and take five yards or six yards per play, instead of forcing it in there.
"But I would say to protect the ball. He had the ball on the ground a lot. He had a lot of fumbles. So you gotta protect that ball, because turnovers hurt your team big time."
Maye had eight fumbles in the regular season and seven more in the playoffs. He has 24 fumbles in his career, including the playoffs. It's clearly an area he needs to improve in.
Now, all of the fumbles are not one Maye alone. If the offensive line allows a guy to come in untouched and they get a hard hit on him, then there's not much he can do to prevent a fumble. However, the plays where he does have time and is loose with the football are ones that he can clean up.
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