New England Patriots - NESN.com
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye might have discovered his kryptonite in the form of a linebacker.
It’s a good thing that this linebacker also plays for the Patriots.
Per ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Maye was intercepted twice during Monday’s practice by Patriots defensive menace Robert Spillane.
“The first (interception) came in 7-on-7 red-zone drills when he had tight coverage on tight end Hunter Henry in the right-hand corner of the end zone,” Reiss wrote.
“Maye decided to test the matchup regardless, and perhaps not getting as much arc on the ball as he desired, it allowed the 6-foot-1, 229-pound Spillane to turn and pick off the pass as he and Henry crashed to the ground.”
“The second came in 11-on-11 work when Maye appeared to misfire over the middle, right into the waiting arms of Spillane,” Reiss added.
The Patriots signed Spillane to a three-year, $33 million deal in March.
The 29-year-old has tallied 497 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, 19 pass deflections, 6 interceptions, and one forced fumble in his seven-year NFL career with the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Per Reiss, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel praised Spillane earlier in the summer, at the start of camp: “He’s a very competitive, prideful leader. He plays with a lot of energy. He plays with passion. Great communicator. Plays with a level of violence in the run game. I think he’s got a little level of versatility to him, too.”
Spillane, a Western Michigan product, went undrafted in 2018.
