FOXBOROUGH – I’ll be honest with you. I am a little late with this admission on a particular topic.
I didn’t believe a word Mac Jones said.
While Bill Belichick often spoke in a monotone, there was always truth there. Not so with Mac, who was not a bad guy.
As for Drake Maye …
The bad news: He needs work. Footwork is sloppy. and according to “draft expert” Bill Belichick, he needs much improvement in reading defenses, processing information quicker and staying the hell in the pocket longer.
Now the good news: We’re gonna love this kid while he tries to fix the “bad news.”
The NFL Draft, if we’re being honest, is a risky business.
Over the last 30 NFL drafts, only one of the first overall picks has been the best player of that draft, and that’s Peyton Manning. The 2020 draft and Joe Burrow may be No. 2, but that is up for debate (see WR Justin Jefferson).
Of the 30, at least 10 were colossal flops, as in “bums.”
There were a few “can’t miss” guys in this draft, in areas of big need for the Patriots, including receiver Marvin Harrison and left tackle Joe Alt.
Maye is a project, of sorts. While he has some key, franchise quarterback characteristics – 6-foot-4 frame, strong arm and leadership – as noted there is a lot to clean up.
But playing quarterback at a high level in the NFL is more than footwork and finding the right mismatch. It’s also about being “The Dude,” and having everyone know it.
He aced his first media test on Thursday night.
When asked about him potentially having the worst offensive group in the NFL to work with, he pounced on that one like a dropped snap.
He actually did his homework.
“I think they’re wrong,” said Maye. “The [Patriots’] defense last year held a lot of teams to low points … I’m going to work hard with those guys and prove them wrong.”
The youngest of four brothers, all of whom were athletes, this is one of the most likeable young people to be thrust – No. 3 overall picks are indeed, thrust – into our midst.
But there is a lot more to like.
He’s got a positive vibe about him.
You have to adore the relationship he seems to have with his athletically-gifted brothers.
Maybe the best answer he gave, as far as Patriots fans are considered, was when he was asked if he now has bragging rights in his family being drafted third overall.
“No. Two of them have national championships,” Maye said, referring to NCAA basketball and baseball titles. “We go by championships in our family.”
Later adding, “When you get me, you’re getting the whole crew here.”
He’s had the same girlfriend since seventh grade. Come on now, that’s impressive.
I haven’t heard it said that he saved a family from a burning car, but I wouldn’t be surprised.
His brother Luke, who plays pro basketball in Japan (21 points, 11 rebounds per game), flew 24 hours each way to be there for his kid brother’s big day in Thursday night in Detroit and Friday afternoon in Foxboro.
We can mock the non-football stuff, because in the end we know what matters most.
But being the face of franchise takes special qualities. and he checks a lot of those boxes.
The Patriots invested a lot of draft capital to get this young man, only 21, so it’s on the coaching staff and Maye to improve in the football areas.
Whatever it costs – coaching, laptops, software or whatever – it must be directed toward helping this young man win football games.
There is a lot to like about his young man. But in the end, likability index is directly related to the scoreboard.
You can email Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.