NASHVILLE – During the two-decade stretch the Patriots were racking up a half-dozen championships, there wasn’t much doubt which team had the best head coach-quarterback duo in the business.
With Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, the Patriots often had games won before they started. The team always had such an edge because of them.
In the NFL, it’s easy to find success if you enjoy an advantage at those two positions.
If you have a great head coach, and an elite quarterback, the sky’s the limit.
It’s hard not to get the feeling that something special is happening – or on the verge – largely because of the man in charge, and the kid at quarterback.
With four straight wins, the last three coming on the road, and an AFC-East leading 5-2 record, it’s hard to ignore the noise being made by first-year Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, and second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
It’s hard not to think about the Patriots heading into many years worth of meaningful games thanks to the impact of having both Vrabel and Maye.
Because what’s happening now has more than piqued curiosity about this Patriots team. Even having the benefit of a “soft” schedule, it’s created expectations of grandeur largely due to the culture Vrabel has set, the manner in which he leads, and the play of Maye, which has grown exponentially in Year 2.
The Patriots might not have the most talented team, but they are rich in key spots, namely coach and quarterback, where Vrabel is a Coach of the Year candidate, while Maye has entered the MVP discussion.
In a short time, Vrabel has practically gained rock star status. During Sunday’s 31-13 blowout win over Tennessee, fans were chanting his name in an enemy stadium.
Even if it was three-parts Patriots fans doing the chanting, and one part Titans fans who desperately miss their former coach, it sent a message.
As for Maye, it’s hard to find another quarterback who has played as consistently well over the course of the last five games.
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He’s been efficient, mistake-free, in total charge and producing one big play after another.
He has emerged as a star in the league, and is on his way to becoming a superstar. He’s been that good, that automatic every week.
“I think there’s an athleticism to him that’s really, really cool. I think he’s really accurate from all different spots, whether it’s in the pocket, off platform,” Vrabel said of Maye following the win over the Titans. “He’s really done a nice job so far in spreading the football around. But there’s an accuracy to him that’s been really good for us.”
Vrabel was also asked about how much Maye has grown as a player, and leader. The Patriots coach put that into context from the standpoint of what he expects from Maye.
“There’s a lot of demand there from (offensive coordinator) Josh (McDaniels) and myself, and I think he’s responded to that as far as the leadership that he’s had to show this offense,” Vrabel said. “We kept talking about, and he wants to earn it. I’ve told him that he’s earned it. And I think if he doesn’t like something in practice, then he gets it fixed . . . And I think those guys respond to him and the things that he says and the way that he operates.”
The players have responded because Maye gets everyone involved, and has the kind of talent and ability to make plays that make your jaw drop.
In beating Tennessee, Maye went 21-of-23 for 222 yards and two touchdowns. His completion percentage of 91.3% set a franchise record for a single game. He also added 62 yards on the ground with eight carries, and didn’t turn the ball over.
“He’s playing at a high level,” Stefon Diggs said. “He’s being a quarterback. It’s easy to say that. But, he’s finding the open man, guys are making plays for him … it’s no surprise to us (how well he’s playing).”
Maye believes that he’s not only grown as a quarterback during the past year, but the organization has also grown as a whole largely due to Vrabel’s arrival.
“With coach Vrabel and his staff, I think we’re just buying into each other and building an identity,” Maye said. “And I think that’s what’s kind of the biggest thing for me is trying to be the same player every week.”
There’s no question the players wanted to beat the Titans for Vrabel, who was fired by the Titans after the 2023 season. They tried to keep it low key all week, but given how much he’s turned things around for them, how much he relates to them, and cares about them, they wanted to return the favor.
“We play for Vrabes no matter what,” DeMario Douglas said of his head coach. “Every game we play for Vrabes and it felt good to get this win.”
Vrabel has instilled a culture, a confidence, and continues to preach improvement every week. The players have bought into what he’s been pitching big-time.
“It’s not so much about the other teams. It’s much more about us,” Diggs said. “If we can play better ball and play better team ball, complementary, I think you don’t know where this team can go from here.”
With Vrabel and Maye leading the charge, the odds are pretty good the Patriots will be headed to the playoffs, and then be a team no one wants to face.
That’s what a great head coach-quarterback tandem can do. Make opposing teams hate facing them.
In Tennessee, Vrabel didn’t have a great quarterback. Now he does.
For the Patriots, it’s made all the difference in the world.
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