GLENDALE, Ariz. — We’re not in the business of lip-reading, but Robert and Jonathan Kraft didn’t look particularly pleased when shown on TV in a box after the Patriots called a running play that resulted in a 5-yard loss late in the first half of Sunday’s 30-17 loss to the Cardinals.
The Patriots’ offense was inept for most of Sunday’s loss until rookie quarterback Drake Maye went off in the fourth quarter, leading his team on two touchdown-scoring drives.
So, what was different late in the game?
“Just going tempo. I think they can’t get in their stuff. They’re playing simple stuff because they have to because they have to get the call in fast,” Maye said. “I think we practice that all the time in practice, and it’s a creature of habit of going and moving the ball, whether it’s two-minute at the end of practice or even just on-the-ball period, we call it. I think it’s easy for me because I know the plays we’re going to run. I know them throughout the week, and I feel good about our guys and where they’re going to be at.”
Maye said “there’s definitely a place for it” when asked if the Patriots could run tempo or hurry-up more early in games.
Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte felt the Patriots could have been more aggressive early in the game.
“We knew they were going to play man the whole game. But I feel like it’s disrespectful when they go man first quarter. I feel like we need to be better at attacking that instead of being shy about it,” Boutte said.
Boutte said he felt like that’s play-calling related. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is the Patriots’ offensive play-caller.
Boutte specified what he meant by attacking a defense more.
“I wouldn’t really say down the field, because every play’s not really a shot play,” Boutte said. “But just finding ways to get a rhythm. It’s hard to get going when we in second-and-15, second-and-12, 3rd-and-10. We started over five on third down. Nobody want to do that.”
The Patriots finished 0-for-6 on third down. The Cardinals were 10-of-15.
Boutte suggested starting the game in a hurry-up offense could help in the future.
“We scored two touchdowns when we were in two-minute, so obviously two-minute works for us an an offense. So maybe just starting the game in two-minute and attacking them all game.”
Maye and Boutte were involved in the Patriots’ lone turnover of Sunday’s game. A pass from Maye hit Boutte off the hands and fell into cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting’s arms for an interception.
Maye took responsibility for the turnover while speaking to Maye.
Boutte took responsibility to the media.
“Kind of a low ball, but it’s still a play I got to make,” Boutte said. “It’s kind of hard running in one direction, and the ball’s low. So it’s a play I got to make at the end of the day. So I wouldn’t put the blame on him. It’s my fault.”
Maye said he was trying to lean Boutte away from Cardinals safety Budda Baker by throwing it low and away from the defender.
