Happy Maye Day: Watching a 22 Year Old QB Assume the Leadership Role on His Football Team is a Beautiful Thing to Behold
I might be alone on an island on this one. But part of me misses the days when May 1st meant grainy footage of shitty, rusted, WWII tanks and missile launchers rolling through Red Square while people in ridiculous, fuzzy hats looked on under the watchful gaze of their godless, pinko, Bolshevik oppressors:
What was I talking about? Right. May Day. Forever after around these parts to be known as Maye Day. Where we'll celebrate our liberation from 4-13 seasons and the worst offense in the NFL under our new leader, who was in fine form at his first press conference since last season.
And I cannot emphasize the word "leader" enough. The biggest takeaway from Drake Maye's presser is that he is in the process of taking the reigns of this team. Making it his own. Which is hard when you won't even hit your 23rd birthday until the end of August. But damned near impossible in your rookie season when your head coach has you on the bench until mid-October.
But 2024 is long gone. So is Jerod Mayo. And still as a rookie, Maye managed to lay the groundwork that this was going to be his team going forward. And today was the unofficial start of his ascension to the throne. He demonstrated he's got a maturity that is well beyond his years, and a temperament to match his arm, size and speed.
Consider when he was asked a potentially sticky question about the trade of Joe Milton. Which he handled by focusing on nothing but how fun it was to come into the league with Milton, work with him, learn with him, wish him the best and expressing hope he gets to play against him soon. While subtly working in there that he's a backup and you're the Alpha dog:
That's how you handle your business.
What about having to work with a big personality like Stefon Diggs? A guy who at times steamrolled Josh Allen? Just talk about how you've always been a fan and can't wait to work with him:
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How about Maye's coaches? Pure positivity about the culture shift Mike Vrabel is instituting:
And about the opportunity to collab with Josh McDaniels:
And I particularly appreciate him working in the respect for Brady. He's not running away from the GOAT's legacy; he's using it inspiration. Learning from it. Embracing it. Trying to achieve it. Which is exactly what the situation calls for.
Losing a popular leader like David Andrews? Pure reverence:
How about the No. 4 pick who put a tear into the eye of every Patriots fan with a soul when he broke down on draft night talking about laying down his life to protect his/our quarterback? The feeling is mutual:
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Last, and certainly not least, was his message to entire expanded roster that now is not about resting up. It's about getting down to business and grinding for the season ahead:
… building, you know? Phase one just finished, we’re in phase two and we're only here for 4 hours.
“So think it's figuring out with the new coaches who's learning, who's spending time outside of here of learning, and who wants to help us win when the season comes. I think that's what they want. They want to get the right guys in here that want to win. And know the answers when you’re cold-called on, and who has energy in the hallways.
“I think you can kind of differentiate between the guys who know when to have fun and know when to put their head down and get things right.”
Oh, hell yeah.
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This is what we've been lacking. This attitude. This guy who's got nothing else on his mind but putting in the effort to bring this downtrodden franchise back to its former glory.
How long has it been? Certainly toward the end of Brady's rule he was already out the door, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Unhappy with his coach, his contract and the roster around him. And getting pressure at home to plan his exit strategy. Cam Newton was put in an impossible situation and just trying to hang on to his career. Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe might have been dealt bad hands, but were certainly not up to the tasks. Jacoby Brissett was just a placeholder. Maye is exactly what this once-proud organization needs, and he's embracing the role. The kidding around is over. And days of 4-13 ended today.
Happy Maye Day.