Before we get into our last postseason notebook with the fine folks who work in the league (and I’m not talking about the massage therapist, though I could use one), I had a conversation with Josh McDaniels on the final day of media availability this week. Obviously, we talked about Drake Maye, and I was curious about how the Patriots’ offensive coordinator was handling his quarterback’s uneven postseason. Did McDaniels need to build him back, or hit a bit of a mental reset?
“He doesn’t need to be built up. He’s a confident guy by nature. I think it’s more about understanding what this is about, why it’s different, and why it feels different. We’ve already gone through that for the last four weeks. So this month has been very impactful for us, understanding what postseason football is. A month ago, we had no idea what that meant. I mean, we had no idea together. One of us did, but it didn’t matter what I knew. It rarely does if the coach has experience and the players don’t. I can say whatever I want. He’s got to live through it. And he did, and we’re still standing.
“So I keep telling them, like, it doesn’t make any difference what it looks like, as long as we have one more number than they do at the end, that’s the only thing that matters. In New England, we’ve played in Super Bowls where it was 3-3 in the fourth quarter. And we played in Super Bowls where it took us 34 points to win. So I don’t really care what it looks like. I have no ego in terms of how this game goes. He and I know that we will figure out what’s required of us as the game goes along. And that’s what I’ve told him: I don’t know if we’re going to need 38 or 10. We won’t know till Sunday, and we’ll figure it out then. “
That quote spoke to one aspect of this team, but it struck me as so much more than that. That’s what this year has been about: learning not just what works and what doesn’t, but learning each other. Like any relationship, there are ups and downs, but this team has tapped into something special. Perhaps that ride comes to an end on Sunday. Or perhaps it just reaffirms the message and the process, beautifully married to the coaches and players assembled. It’s not perfect, but it sure feels awfully close.
WHEN THE PATRIOTS HAVE THE BALL
AFC Assistant GM: “I’m not breaking news here, but the Patriots need more from Maye. A lot of credit to the run game and defense for proving they don’t just rise and fall with the play of the quarterback, but, pound for pound, this is the best defense in the league, coached up by the best defensive play-caller in the league. Maye can’t be careless with the football. He can’t have these accuracy issues. Can McDaniels get him back to that level? He certainly got him to a place (MVP-level, he added) that I don’t think anyone would have thought possible this soon. But he needs to get him back there, and I wonder if this defense is too schematically sound to allow that to happen.”
NFC QB coach: “Stafford ripped this defense up a couple of times. He’s seen everything and done everything. I think asking Maye to have all the answers for what he’s going to see – especially with (Mike) Macdonald having two weeks of prep – is unlikely. Now I’m not telling you he can’t have success. He’s as talented as anyone playing the position, and we know damn well he can access every area of the field. But Maye’s going to have to play at a graduate or PhD level. He needs to have an ‘Old School’ moment. Certainly capable, but this is a massive stage so early in his career.”
AFC QB coach: “My only worry about Maye is, will he hunt the big play too much? Like, to his detriment? Otherwise, I think he’s up to the moment. He’s made enough plays to help them win in the playoffs. It may not be what it was in the regular season, but it’s been good enough. And Seattle hasn’t played anyone quite like him.”
AFC Offensive coordinator: “I think his (Maye) ability to extend plays will be huge in this game. When he gets into that mode – and it can’t be all the time – he’s great. He can cut your heart out, either by running or making on the money throws down the field. Look at how often Maye’s leaned on his legs in these playoffs. If he sees it open up, go. Whatever it takes.
“I know this – I know the Seahawks don’t like to put eyes on mobile QBs. Maybe they mix it up after watching every snap the kid has taken. If they don’t, run. You can rest when it’s all over…
“I gotta believe they (Pats) have studied where the Rams had success. They got some chunk plays when Seattle felt compelled to deviate from their split-safety structure and plunk a safety in the box. Give that look to Maye and see what happens.”
AFC offensive line coach: “Can the Patriots run the Seahawks out of nickel? Or at least, run enough such that they have to respect it? They’ve been better at running recently – a higher success rate – but I think being at the level they were for much of the season would be fine (Mike: 22% success rate in reg. season). A 3-yard run isn’t a bad thing. Just keep hammering the nail.”
“I’d love to see the Pats employ some
