FOXBOROUGH – When the Patriots started their first competitive period in Monday’s minicamp, it didn’t take Drake Maye long to seek out danger.
After completing his first pass, the Patriots quarterback intentionally targeted All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez, connecting with Kayshon Boutte. Three plays later, Maye sought out another veteran cornerback and this time, threw to receiver DeMario Douglas, who was covered by Carlton Davis.
After practice, Maye said that wasn’t a coincidence.
This offseason, the second-year quarterback said he told Gonzalez that he was going to test him every day in practice. The goal for both players is to better themselves by the time the regular season comes and this spring, Maye’s made it a point to throw at the Patriots No. 1 cornerback – as opposed to avoiding him.
“Just getting them work because I know there’s going to be quarterbacks in this league with big-time receivers that are going to go at Gonzo, go at CD,” Maye said. “If we were playing our defense, get those guys excited in the receiver room to play such a good cornerback duo who gets a lot of hype. Playing someone like that, you want to prove them wrong and prove, ‘Hey, this guy is making a ton of money, let’s go out and show them what we can do.’ That’s our mindset if we were playing someone like our duo.”
In the first open Patriots practice of the spring, Gonzalez intercepted Maye twice. Last year, the 22-year-old proved to be one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, earning Second-Team All-Pro honors.
This offseason, the Patriots reinforced their defense by signing Davis to a 3-year, $54 million contract. The 28-year-old is known to be one of the best cover corners in the NFL. Monday’s practice was one of the first where Davis was a full participant.
“Just giving them work. Gonzo wants work. I try to throw him a back shoulder (pass) if he’s staying on top or try to throw him on a slant when he’s sitting inside or throw him an in-cut when he’s in the back of the end zone. Stuff like that gives him good work and it’s going to help him when the season comes.”
As he was last week, Maye was dialed in during Monday’s practice. The quarterback completed his first eight passes of the day in 11-on-11 drills. Overall, he completed 77.8% of his passes (14-of-18).
After a tough start to OTAs, Maye said that he feels like he’s hit a good stride this spring. That’s been seen in the last two practices as the quarterback has completed 82.3% of his passes (28-of-34) in competitive 11-on-11 drills with no interceptions.
Maye ended Monday’s practice with a touchdown to Douglas. Before that play, however, Davis deflected one of the quarterback’s pass attempts in the end zone.
“I’m kind of bummed out we’re about to leave,” said Maye. “Any time we go against a great defense – they’ve got two great corners, I told Gonzo, I’m going to test him. I’m not going to not throw at him or CD (Davis). I think two of the best corners and one of the best duos in the league. What an opportunity for us to go out every day and throw against those guys.”