Here’s what Drake Maye had to say following Sunday’s win in Cincinnati:
On how much of a grind this one was and if physically he was OK, it looked like he was shaking his hand after a play early in this one, and what it was like for him today:
“That’s what this league is about, battling adversity. Shoot, I gave them one earlier in the game, just battling back that next drive and just trying to be that next play mentality. That’s what coach is preaching all the time, battling back from good plays, battling back from bad plays. Proud of our defense for stepping up. They stepped up big time. Like I said, it’s next man up. We had a lot of guys come in to play and make plays and help us out. Just proud of them and just good to get a win and good to get that 10th win.”
On how emotional it was to see both Jared [Wilson] and Will [Campbell] go down and get carted off and what they were going through:
“Man, shoot, I love those guys. They’re going to be all right. I think that’s the big thing about those guys. They’re going to work hard and they’re going to be back. They’ve done such a good job for us this year. Man, I love those guys. Will and Jared, they’ve meant a lot to me. I’ve gotten to know them in different ways. It hurts. It’s disappointing, man. But that’s this game. That’s life. They’ll bounce back and help us down the road.”
On the fact football is such an emotional game with guys going down, Mike Vrabel talking about the team Facetiming with Jahlani [Tavai], and how he would describe his feelings right now:
“Shoot, you feel empty. You’re playing so hard for everybody around you. Thoughts of Jahlani and what he’s going through. I love Jahlani and I think, like you said, there’s so many different things, different things coming at you. That’s what’s cool about this game, such a team sport. Some of the guys rally around to play for each other, play for one another, laugh and create good times and realize how blessed we are. Thank the good Lord for just giving us a chance to play this game and go out there and battle.”
On the fact it seemed like they sent some pressure from the secondary and if that was at all surprising:
“Yeah, no. I think they had some good stuff that I didn’t do the right thing and didn’t get us in the right look. I got to be better. Got to be better at the line of scrimmage. Got to be better. Credit to them for catching us some. Like I said, I think I’ve got to do my part and help us play cleaner football and puntch it in down there in the red zone. I take that to heart and I’m going to be better.”
On if he feels like the ball was coming out differently on some of the misses early in the game:
“Not that I can think of. Sometimes just not trusting it and just got to let it go. That’s when I’m throwing it best and on time and feeling the best. I know. I wasn’t very accurate early on and found a groove. Just headed back to the basics.”
On how he was able to find Hunter so often today and how big was he for him today:
“I think the biggest thing it’s a new guy every week. It could be since whatever week with Hunter, stepping up. He’s a great player in this league. Him and Hoop [Austin Hooper], they give us a one, two punch at the tight end position to run the football, be in the passing game. They do a great job. Hunter, he’s ‘Mr. Consistent.’ He’s every week.”
On the fact he wasn’t as accurate as he normally is and if it feels strange and if he wonders what’s going on there:
“No, I’ll just get back to the things, the fundamentals, and got to get another throw and just get a live rep to get back on it and you feel fine. It’s one of the things that happens. I don’t really think it’s a big deal. I think just got to get back in the groove.”
On the fact when he referred to the offensive line as the heartbeat of the team recently, and with Jared and Will going out, and what he knows about this group that makes him feel like …
“I think they have a lot of fun in that room. They care for each other. Shoot, they’re always laughing and hanging out. They hang outside of football. They go do things. They’re just a tight-knit group, and I’m proud to be the one behind the center with those guys. Just credit them for showing up every week and coming in here. You had, I think, Ben Brown came in, V-Lowe [Vederian Lowe] came in, Marcus Bryant came in for a little bit. Those guys are just ready to go. I’m just proud to have those guys walking for blocking for me.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This transcript was done based on the available footage and is subject to typographical errors. If you spot anything, please let me know in the comments below.)
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
