New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye remains high on his receivers and tight ends, despite only putting up 14 points against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a disappointing Week 3 loss.
Maye took ownership of some of the offense’s lack of situational awareness – particularly, DeMario Douglas’s failure to convert on 4th-and-1 with just over a minute left.
“I think it’s my job in the huddle, [to say], ‘Hey we’re in short yardage,’ or, ‘Hey guys up front, we need a run play, we need a yard.’ There’s certain plays where I can give them something, just one last reminder before they run out and run the route and try to execute the plays,” Maye told WEEI Afternoons during his weekly Patriots Monday appearance.
He had heavy praise for tight end Hunter Henry. Henry finished the day with two touchdowns and eight catches, which moved him into third place all-time in franchise history at the tight end position, trailing just Rob Gronkowski and Ben Coates, with 212 receptions.
“He’s a great player. Shoot, he’s the best tight end I’ve played with in my lifetime,” Maye said. “So, just trying to keep growing and keep seeing the same thing. I thought he did a great job getting his head around on the second touchdown. He’s a mismatch against, really, whoever is manning him up. He’s tough to guard and him and Hoop [Austin Hooper] do a great job as a one-two punch.”
Because Douglas has had limited production early in the season, fans may be curious about when they’ll get the chance to see Efton Chism III, the undersized slot receiver who made the team as an undrafted free agent at the end of the summer. Chism has been inactive through the first three weeks, but he’s been no stranger to the facility – or the starting quarterback.
“He’s been awesome since the day he got here. He’s kind of tagged along with veterans, guys like Mack Hollins, you always see him staying after and getting extra minutes and drawing up plays, and drawing up the play sheet,” Maye said. “I’ve caught him late in the building numerous times watching extra tape, and me, just kind of teaching and showing him what I see, what I see as quarterback and what he’s seeing. So, he’s doing all the right things, and just continue to show up and do the stuff in practice and on scout team, and it will pay off. I think he has a bright future.”