The finale to Jerod Mayo’s first preseason as New England Patriots head coach provided a lot for Drake Maye fans to be excited about, but just as many flubs from the much-maligned offensive line. Here’s the best and worst from the Patriots' 20-10 loss in their final preseason game against the Washington Commanders, or as I like to call it, Likes and Yikes.
Likes:
- Drake Maye: Maye continues to impress with his composure. He kept his head about him behind a chaotic offensive line Sunday night – and more importantly, his feet. The improvement in his footwork cannot be ignored. Even more critically, he was able to move on from brushes with disaster. After fumbling a low snap from backup center Nick Leverett, Maye had a 17-yard scramble for a first down, and moments later, a perfect deep pass to fellow rookie Ja'Lynn Polk. He lost his shoe and completed a pass downfield. He finished the night 13-of-20 for 126 yards and one touchdown. Maye’s physical gifts have always been a given. Now he’s making a real argument for his own baptism by fire.
- Antonio Gibson: Gibson looks poised to be a much-needed security blanket for Jacoby Brissett, or whoever is under center once the season gets rolling. Brissett went to Gibson five straight times during New England’s opening drive, including a 13-yard pass that converted a 3rd-and-5 in the Patriots’ own territory. Gibson might not be the kind of free agent pickup that lights fans’ hair on fire, but he’s shown enough through preseason to suggest he’s a worthwhile pickup for Eliot Wolf and company.
- Solid Sophomores: This is just a cute way to highlight both Keion White and DeMario Douglas. White recorded a sack on the backup to Washington’s backup, but you can only play against who’s on the field. The Patriots will need that motor from him given Matthew Judon’s departure and Christian Barmore’s health struggles. Douglas caught a short pass from Maye for 16 yards and continues to shine, but given his injury history, it’s for the best that the Patriots have run out of opportunities for him to return punts in preseason. Who came up with that genius idea?
Yikes:
- Offensive line: Tonight was a lesson in being careful what you wish for. Patriots fans who tweeted “Shoot Vederian Lowe into the sun” got a glimpse at the true horror that is the lack of depth among New England’s big boys, and boy, did they ever stink it up. Between Leverett’s poor mechanics snapping the ball, Sidy Sow running into his own teammate to allow a sack of Brissett, and Chukwuma Okorafor’s multiple penalties, all that was missing was a little circus music. Hopefully Lowe returns to his position at left tackle before Cincinnati, and the rest of the line can at least avoid making it rain flags.
- Jacoby Brissett’s health: Brissett looked fine through his one series, until his teammates collided in a mix-up on first down and a blown play allowed free rusher KJ Henry to lay Brissett out. NBC’s broadcast caught him grimacing and grabbing his right shoulder and the Patriots soon announced him questionable to return with a right shoulder injury. It’s very possible the plan was just one series for Brissett anyway, but Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt obviously want to make a starting quarterback decision based on performance rather than health.
- Kayshon Boutte: Boutte looks like one of a couple odd-men-out in the receiver room. He only had one target in Sunday’s game and zero catches. Douglas, Polk, and K.J. Osborn are all likely locks for the 53-man roster, and Kendrick Bourne will be a welcome addition when he gets off the PUP List. Boutte is lucky if he’s a bubble guy next to Javon Baker and Tyquan Thornton. Jalen Reagor has a great shot fitting in with special teams.