Pats Pulpit
As New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye dropped back for his first pass in Wednesday’s joint practice against the Washington Commanders, wide receiver DeMario Douglas came flying across the field from the quarterback’s right.
It was an easy completion that forecasted what was to come.
Two periods later, Maye started the drive by connecting with the third-year receiver on back-to-back crossers — this time with Douglas working from right-to-left. Against the Commanders’ secondary, Douglas was virtually uncoverable with the only thing stopping the duo being a dropped ball and then a tipped pass near the goal line.
“Pop, I think he’s tough to guard,” Maye said after practice. “You see it on little crossing routes and little quick moves when he’s meeting a defender face-to-face. So, I think kind of all year, it’s going to be our job to try to get him open in space and let him run with the football.”
Douglas’ separation ability has made him a strong fit in the slot in Josh McDaniels’ offense this summer. Much of that has been due to his growth in the mental side of the game, which has allowed him to find open space against either man or zone coverage.
It’s an area of growth that Maye noticed as well, as the quarterback noted on the Up & Adams show last week that Douglas was lining up correctly and running the right routes this offseason.
“Getting in that [play]book, man,” Douglas attributed the growth too. “And you know, I feel like that drive for me — being tired of losing — is coming apart. I feel like a lot of people on our team too are tired of losing too. Some have been on winning teams, even Super Bowls, and they love winning. And I love winning too. So, I want to get to it.”
The work has proved worthwhile, as the chemistry between Maye and Douglas has been apparent throughout the summer.
Between their countless connections out of the slot, the duo combined for one of the plays of camp — a long 50-plus yard touchdown pass as Maye rolled out of the pocket to his right before launching one downfield to the receiver behind the defense.
“It just shows that the hard work off the field and in the offseason actually does pay off,” Douglas said. “I feel like we harped on that and it’s working.”
While Maye’s day ended with an interception when targeting an open Douglas, as linebacker Bobby Wagner deflected the pass into the air near the line of scrimmage, it was still an encouraging start for the offense against their first external competition of the year.
The duo of Maye and Douglas being a big reason why.
“I thought we moved well. It was good playing against another team, having all our guys out there and kind of getting the rhythm, build some plays together, and move the ball,” Maye said. “I thought we did some good things offensively and wish we would...
