Here’s what Patriots quarterback Drake Maye had to say during his interview on WEEI’s Afternoon Show on Monday:
On preseason being underway and where he’s at in that process right now:
“Just trying to get better every day. I think that’s what we’re trying to do out here, battle the heat and battle just bringing it every day and just challenging ourselves to get better.”
On how he would describe what Mike Vrabel is trying to establish here in New England in terms of culture:
“I think just intensity. I think just bring it every day, leaving your ego at the door, and then from there, bring it onto the field and finishing through the whistle, doing the little things right. I think that’s just trying to help us on the field when the little things, details, and technique come in to play, that’s what he’s trying to establish.”
On what his role is in that after Vrabel said this morning, ‘the quarterback can’t take a day off:’
“Yeah, I think he hit it off the tee. Just bring it every day. No days off. When the team or the offense feels like you’re kind of lagging around, it’s my job to bring him up.”
On if that comes natural because we saw the clip of Vrabel telling him to celebrate and if that’s something he needs to work on:
“I think celebrating is different than getting around the guys and leading them. So I think it’s a little easier to celebrate when the games count, but it’s also a good thing to practice. So from there, just around the guys and getting to know them first, and then being able to lead them in the right direction.”
On Josh McDaniels and how he feels about the new system and where he is in learning it:
“I think just trying to attack it every day. He gets the guys in good spots, good plays. Just got to make sure that I get us out of a bad play if it’s a bad look. Then, from there, just continue to throw the football. I got to give our guys a chance, and then from there, let them do the running.”
On if he likes it and that one reason people say his system is hard is because it gives the quarterback the answers to what he’s going to see and if he likes that so far:
“Yeah, I think you love having the decisions to be on myself and knowing where guys are at and knowing where I’m sending guys, whether it’s up front or at receiver. So the ball’s in my court, and I think that’s the best part about it.”
On him getting some game action and the fumble that he’d probably like to have back and the totality of what he was able to put forth over a couple of drives and how he feels about it:
“Yeah, it felt good to get out there, kind of get the communication with coach on the headset, get in and out of the huddle, really move the ball instead of out here in practice, just kind of having, you know, line up and running plays. That’s what we’re challenging out here in practice, not to make it like that. We’re trying to establish, bring it every day in practice. But no, I thought the fans showed out what a night to celebrate number 12. And then we got to win all around, all 90 guys, however many, played hard and they played well.”
On the fact he signed autographs for 15 minutes and all the people that were and why it was important for them to interact with fans and sign autographs, and the fact even coach Vrabel was taking pictures and signing autographs:
“Yeah, I think my thought is just a chance to make somebody’s day or make a little kid’s day. Why not stay out here and spend 15 minutes or 20 minutes of signing to make their day? That’s my approach to it. I think the guys have done a good job of staying after and appreciating the fans because the fans are what make you go in there. To make it a tough environment. The Patriots fans, they travel well on the road.”
On Tom Brady and if he feels any pressure, especially now that there’s literally a statue fo him:
“Yeah, I wouldn’t say pressure. I think it’s just appreciation for what he did, what he did here, how he played the position, how he loved to win and wanted to win, and how they did win. I think that’s the biggest part. I think, definitely, just try to watch an old tape of him with some of the same concepts of how he did things, is pretty cool to watch. But for that, I wouldn’t say pressure. I was drafted maybe five years after he left here. So, I don’t think I would say really any pressure.”
On the fact that on the field he brings a different style and if there’s a fine line between that athlete, playmaker, gunslinger, and being able to live to fight another play and the balance he might have to face:
“Yeah, I mean, for sure. I think it’s definitely got to balance when to extend plays and try to make plays with my feet or make plays on the run. But at the end of the day, ball security and protecting the football is the number one thing.”
On Stefon Diggs and what the early stages of that relationship have been like:
“I think he just adds a swagger in the room. He gets defenses on notice when he’s in the game, and he helps the guys around him. I think we got a good, strong room. Keep building, those guys are playing hard, practicing hard.”
On the fact that group gets a lot of focus and criticism and what he sees from them:
“I think they’re battling. You got seven, eight guys that bring it every day in that whole room. Coach Todd is doing a great job of challenging them and having them be in the right spot and having different plays, different concepts. They’re learning them well and asking me questions about winning a man coverage and asking Coach McDaniels who’s a legend with it. So I think just keep on communication. That’s the biggest thing. I think how it plays out, the guys who keep on being in the right spot, making plays, and blocking the run game will be out there.”
On what this part of the process with one preseason game under his belt, and where he is in the process at this point of the preseason:
“I think just this mastering and getting a feel for and practicing. It’s our first full drive, two-minute drill today. It didn’t go the way we wanted. So little things like that. I felt like in the base run game, base pass game, I feel good with our concepts and what we do. So just continuing to fine-tune the situational plays, situational situations, two-minute, third down, different fronts on third down. So that stuff is kind of what comes and what we’re going to study throughout the week.”
On the fact he has a couple of rookies potentially starting up front on the offesnive line and as a quarterback, how he builds that relationship and a rapport with those guys:
“Yeah, I think the biggest thing is, Jared was committed to North Carolina back in the day, out of high school. He’s from North Carolina, so I knew him back in high school. He flipped to Georgia, which I don’t blame him. But I knew him already. And me and Will, we’re going through the same thing. Top five pick, coming to Boston from the South, different accent. I think that’s just going through it and knowing the spot Will’s in is kind of the best thing for me and him to be able to relate and communicate and talk. I think both those guys up front put the work in and are handling guys on our defense. They’re defensive line, they’re getting a great look every day. So I’m proud of what those guys have done. I think they’re learning in the NFL. you got to bring it every day in practice because those guys, you know, aren’t going to back off.”
On how life is different as a married second-year quarterback:
“Yeah, I think I’m 22. I wouldn’t say much is different. I think the big thing is I got somebody, my best friend, beside me when I come home at night, and one of my biggest fans. Other than that, she loves football, loves being out here to practice. And really, other than that, just try to grow up as fast as I can, but at the same time, enjoy it. I think that’s one of the best parts about being young. Enjoy it. Remember these days. It’s her birthday today, so shout out to my wife.”
On her being his biggest supporter if she’s critical of him at all:
“Yeah, she knows what she’s watching. Yeah, she’s critical. Her dad played in college, and her brother is also a quarterback, so she’s got a lot of family football ties, and obviously with me. She’s watched a lot of me throwing, so she knows what’s going on.”
(Editor’s Note: This transcript is done via the available footage and is subject to typos. If you spot something, please take a moment to let me know in the comments below.)
About Ian Logue
Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
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