Van Pelt has received criticism after Sunday’s loss.
Following the New England Patriots’ 30-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt has not been free of criticism — perhaps even from his head coach, Jerod Mayo.
One person who is not down on the coordinator, however, is Drake Maye. The rookie quarterback defended Van Pelt during his weekly appearance on WEEI’s afternoon show.
“What he’s done for me this year and what he’s done for my development is huge for me,” Maye said. “I credit AVP and T.C. [McCartney] and the quarterback room for helping me prepare every week. Still taking every week — even with our record every week — like it’s a big one for us. I really respect that, and I really appreciate them taking a chance on me along with the rest of the franchise.
“A lot of things to look forward to, and I’ve been a big fan of AVP and how he’s handled my approach. This is only our eighth or ninth game together, so we’re still figuring each other out and kind of how he’s calling it and how much input he wants me to help him with. It’s been nice trying to find that, and I think we’re not far from it.
The feel out process was on display Sunday, as the big-armed Maye finished the first half averaging -0.6 air yards per attempt as New England managed just three points. Once Van Pelt let Maye air it out in the second half — where his air yards jumped over 12 — the Patriots found the end zone twice.
“We wanted to get the ball out, get the guys in our hands and make them tackle us. I think that was our big game plan and it was also tough for us because we really didn’t get into rhythm,” Maye said post game. “I think it’s easier when you get into rhythm to call some deeper stuff and kind of get that going, but we never had a rhythm.”
The biggest criticism from Van Pelt came on the first drive of the second half, where back-to-back runs up the middle were stuffed on 3rd- and 4th-and-1. When asked about potentially using Maye’s legs in those situations, Mayo answered, “You said it. I didn’t.”
Mayo went on to clarify his comments that were perceived as critical of Van Pelt on Monday morning, while Maye later added that he understands the hesitancy to call his number in the run game.
“Obviously with our record, I can see why they may not want to run me in there and run me inside the tackles,” Maye said on WEEI. “I think it’s definitely understandable. In gotta-have-it moments, I’m fully up for whatever they ask me to do offensively. I think me taking it can be an advantage for us, but at the same time I kind of understand where they’re coming from. I can understand their thought process behind it. There’s a lot of football hopefully left in my career.
“I think kind of going to them now and saying, ‘Hey, let’s run some QB power’ is not really the smartest thing to do.”