Mike Vrabel makes blunt ‘dog’ admission on Patriots playcalling amid Drake Maye concerns
· Yahoo Sports
Mike Vrabel has admitted that some New England Patriots play calls have been “dog ****” as questions continue to grow around the offence and quarterback Drake Maye.
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The Patriots have scored just 15 points per game through their opening two games and have already committed six turnovers, putting pressure on an offence expected to perform at a much higher level.
Maye has also come under scrutiny after throwing one touchdown and four interceptions, while offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has faced criticism over the predictability of his playcalling.
Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty ImagesMike Vrabel offers honest view of Patriots playcalling
Speaking on The Greg Hill Show following New England’s Week 2 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Vrabel pushed back on the idea that playcalling alone explains the offence’s problems.
“There’s plays where they’re dog **** calls and the players make a play. There’s good calls, and the guys don’t make a play,” Vrabel said. “You have to watch every play. Like there will be a X play run—I’ll watch every 20-yard gain—and it’s either a guy making a play or there’s a holding call that they miss. And that’s what it is. I think the easy thing is to say, ‘Well, that’s a terrible play call or the guy should’ve done better.’ Fellas, we have to be able to get into a rhythm.”
Vrabel’s comments came after criticism that McDaniels has become too predictable, particularly when trying to establish the running game.
Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty ImagesHowever, ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky has placed more of the focus on Maye, arguing that the playcalling could be affecting the quarterback’s approach.
“He looks like a young man that’s scared to make mistakes right now,” Orlovsky said. “And I think the playcalling is part of it. Unaggressive playcalling will create unaggressive play.”
Orlovsky also questioned Maye’s footwork and confidence, while pointing to missed opportunities on plays where receivers have been open.
Maye is completing 67.3 per cent of his passes for 386 yards through two games, but his four interceptions compared with one touchdown remain a concern.
The Patriots will now look for a response in Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, with Vrabel’s comments making clear that the responsibility extends beyond the quarterback and playcaller.
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