The Patriots went right into a coaching camp with a transparent plan at quarterback, however it looks as if the final two preseason video games threw these plans out of the desk.
New England signed Jacoby Brissett with the thought of him being a bridge quarterback to whoever they drafted with the No. 3 decide. Drake Maye largely operated because the No. 2 quarterback behind the veteran, however issues modified after he impressed in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles. The rookie earned extra reps with the first-team offense, and his third preseason recreation confirmed the potential he might carry to the offense.
Mayo admitted Maye has “outplayed” Brissett within the preseason, however he additionally mentioned Mayo was the second quarterback behind Brissett. The back-and-forth dialogue annoyed followers. Whereas throwing Maye out in entrance of a weak offensive line is not preferrred, it was unusual for Mayo to seemingly admit who was the higher signal-caller.
Followers would possibly suppose this type of “controversy” won’t have occurred beneath Invoice Belichick’s watch, however the former Patriots head coach’s perception on the preseason would possibly change that tune.
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“Initially, I do not suppose you actually know the way anyone’s taking part in in preseason, particularly on the quarterback place,” Belichick mentioned on the “Pat McAfee Present” on Monday. “The schemes are so easy from the opposite facet of the ball, typically talking. For probably the most half, you are working very primary schemes. You are attempting to judge your gamers. You are attempting to get them to play the great fundamentals that they know the best way to play. You’re not disguising issues. You simply need your defensive gamers to be able to react and play quick and rapidly.
“I believe to come back out of preseason and say, ‘This man’s actually taking part in good, that man’s actually taking part in good,’ I would not put a lot inventory in that in any respect. I might put extra inventory in what they’re doing in observe and let’s have a look at what occurs within the first three or 4 regular-season video games when the opponents particularly assault sure gamers based mostly on what they suppose they’ll and may’t get on them, after which let’s have a look at how they’re taking part in then.”
McAfee particularly requested Belichick in regards to the Patriots’ state of affairs, however although the long run Corridor of Fame head coach spoke typically, it may need really proven that Mayo is following within the footsteps of his predecessor.
Maye may need outplayed Brissett within the preseason, however the teaching employees may need been extra impressed by what they noticed from the veteran signal-caller in observe.
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That line of reasoning won’t fulfill New England followers, however it does present perception on the powerful resolution Mayo and his employees face heading into Week 1.