Hoyer: This Drake Maye play against the Cardinals was ‘Josh Allen’ originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Drake Maye hype has reached another level despite New England Patriots’ Week 15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
The prized rookie quarterback snagged a touchdown through the air and on the ground in Sunday’s 30-17 loss. His passing TD came on an impromptu shovel pass to wide receiver DeMario Douglas.
After watching this impressive play, former Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer understands why Maye continues to be compared to Buffalo Bills star signal-caller Josh Allen.
“I thought what was great here is his pocket awareness continues to grow,” Hoyer said of Maye’s TD. The game plan. “Here they’re running on the left defensive end. Drake senses him and he steps in, kind of like that long run he had against the Colts. But now you’re in the red zone, so now you have the possibility of throwing it, throwing it away…
“What I loved about it was even when he came out in the clear, he didn’t pull the ball down to run. He kept his eyes, and then that wrist flick that we had seen, I mean, it’s Josh Allen. -esque That’s why everyone is excited about this week It’s a guy the Patriots hope can. be the future at this position and play a little like this guy he shuts down and he just throws it for him at the last second, I mean, that’s a pretty impressive play for a young guy.”
Hoyer hopes to see the Patriots unleash Maye’s skills over the final three games of the 2024 season and beyond.
“It’s not something you do in practice,” Hoyer added. “It’s his natural ability to come forward when needed, his vision to do everything and his speed.
“I just think those are the plays that, when you have a guy like this, give him more options like this. Maybe put him on the run, let him fan out. Let him make a little zone read, especially here because it puts the defense in a bind The moment you leave your receiver as a defender, all of a sudden he throws it to him Now you have to defend the whole field at. instead of just covering the receivers.
Maye humbly addressed the Allen comparisons Wednesday.
“I think I have a long way to go,” he said. “What a player he is, playing at an MVP level. I think the most important thing is just the progression he’s made.
“I think what he went through, whether it was coming out of college or his first few years here, I feel like everyone just didn’t give him the credit that he deserved Now you can kind of see the full fruit of what he’s doing and the level he’s playing at.
Although Allen didn’t ask if Maye reminded him of himself, he did. praise the 22-year-old.
“I think their quarterback is going to be really good for a really long time,” Allen told reporters Wednesday. “He makes incredible plays, extending and from the pocket. I have a lot of respect for him and his game.”
Maye and Allen will face each other for the first time this Sunday in Buffalo. Patriots vs Bills is scheduled for a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff at Highmark Stadium.
