Get ready for another rookie quarterback in the NFL this week. The Patriots’ Drake Maye, the third-overall selection in April’s draft, is reportedly going to make his first start on Sunday. Former quarterback Dan Orlovsky had an immediate reaction when asked on ESPN’s NFL Live Tuesday whether the timing is right for one of the most important decisions in New England’s post-Bill Belichick/Tom Brady era.
“Absolutely not. This is a bad decision in New England,” Orlovsky said. “One, their offensive line is the worst pass-blocking line in the NFL. It is the worst. Jacoby Brissett, who has been their starting quarterback, listen to this, has been pressured on 47 percent of his dropback passes. That 47 percent is the highest number for a quarterback since 2006. If you want to take a rookie quarterback and watch him struggle, put him behind this New England offensive line.”
The other reason, Orlovsky said, is the Patriots’ wide-receiver room. That group has 342 receiving yards this season, last among NFL teams. And, according to Next Gen Stats, the New England wide receivers are getting only 2.8 yards of average separation at the line of scrimmage, 26th in the league.
When evaluating whether young quarterbacks will succeed Orlovsky said he looks for one other element, in addition to quality of offensive line and wide receivers: Scheme and play-caller. In this case, those duties belong to offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, himself a former quarterback, and Orlovsky said Van Pelt has shown reasons to hope in Foxboro. But that’s only 33 percent of the formula.
“New England has at least two of those three missing. This is not the right choice,” Orlovsky said.
The choice is debatable, yes, especially considering New England also has had fumble issues and just lost offensive leader and starting center David Andrews for the season. But the Patriots (1-4) need a spark when Houston (4-1) visits Gillette Stadium on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS).
The Texans have little game film on Maye so far in his early NFL career. If that offensive line can hold up, and if Van Pelt’s scheme and calls can somehow provide opportunities for Maye, New England could make Sunday competitive. That’s what usually happens when a new quarterback makes his first start for a team.
Plus, as Carson Palmer said last month, young quarterbacks like Caleb Williams can benefit from playing, even if they struggle early in their careers. After all, Sam Darnold is 5-0 for the Vikings. But Orlovksy could also be right. Check back later this season to find out.
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