Patriots mailbag: Is Drake Maye getting too much of the blame for the blowout loss to the Packers?

Résumé détaillé

Welcome back to the Patriots mailbag. This week, we’ve got some questions about Sunday’s loss to the Packers, playing the blame game, the backup quarterbacks, and more. Let’s get…

Welcome back to the Patriots mailbag. This week, we’ve got some questions about Sunday’s loss to the Packers, playing the blame game, the backup quarterbacks, and more. Let’s get to it.

Why is all the blame for Sunday’s game on Drake Maye? The running game was nowhere or backwards. Maye is good — like most QBs — when he has a running game. The O-line needs to take the heat. Being forced to throw that early with backup receivers is a bad recipe. Also, Christian Gonzalez was horrible. Why isn’t he right there taking the blame at the microphone? Didn’t he say his bad game didn’t bother him? It was a team beating in all departments.

I don’t dispute much of this. There’s plenty of blame to go around, even though at least half the offense was comprised of backups. And we have to acknowledge the quarterback gets too much credit when teams win and too much blame when they lose. That’s life in the NFL.

At the same time, being a starting quarterback gives you more control over the outcome than anyone else on offense. You have the ball in your hands on every play. Every decision you make impacts the 10 other players. Mistakes from quarterbacks create a ripple effect that’s felt throughout the entire offense. In the Patriots’ losses this year, many of Maye’s gaffes have played a sizable role.

After watching them all summer, during the season we only get a glimpse in practice and an occasional cameo in games, such as late on Sunday. Based on what we’ve seen from Tommy DeVito, I think he has a pretty good grasp of the offense. Despite the fact that he has limited experience as a starter, he’s also aware enough to know this is a better team when Maye is on the field. In short, I think DeVito and Behren Morton are a good pair of backups.

It’s third and 4, and a quick slant pass is thrown to a slot receiver named Julian Edelman or Wes Welker for 5 yards. First down every time. Probably a good play versus blitzes, as well.

Welker and Edelman were among the best in the recent history of…

Do…

Début de l'article, extrait de The Boston Globe. Pour lire la suite, ouvrez l'article chez le média.