Tag: alex van pelt

Patriots OC Alex Van Pelt’s simple reason for less Drake Maye run plays

Alex Van Pelt has lessened the designed run calls for Drake Maye on purpose

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt admitted he is lessening designed quarterback run plays for Drake Maye because of the team’s 3-11 record.

When speaking with media members, via Patriots.com’s Evan Lazar, Van Pelt claimed his goal is to get Maye through the final three games of the season healthy.

The rookie quarterback has proven to be a major threat on the ground this season with 359 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 42 attempts.

Many have wondered why he isn’t being used more in short-yardage situations. Even coach Jerod Mayo seemed to be baffled by the lack of designed runs for Maye when asked about it after the game.

“You said it, I didn’t,” said Maye.

Those comments initially seemed like Maye was throwing Van Pelt under the bus, but the Patriots coach later clarified his words and explained he didn’t mean anything by them.

With the playoffs out of reach, it would seem as if Van Pelt is going the conservative path to keep Maye safe. That doesn’t bode well for the Patriots’ chances in the tough three-game slate left on their regular season schedule.

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Patriots OC Alex Van Pelt reacts to viral video of frustrated Jonathan Kraft

Alex Van Pelt reacts to video of Jonathan Kraft looking frustrated by the offense

Alex Van Pelt has had better weeks.

The New England Patriots offensive coordinator has been raked through the coals with criticism following the Week 15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

One of the lasting images from the game was the viral video of owner Robert Kraft and team president Jonathan Kraft watching Van Pelt’s offense implode. Jonathan looked especially frustrated at the team, and at one point, it looked like he mouthed, “The play-calling is terrible.”

When asked about the video clip, Van Pelt noted that his door is always open to the Krafts.

“My door is always open,” said Van Pelt, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “Obviously, the Krafts, I answer to those guys. So if they ever want to come and talk, my door is open. I’ve had great conversations with Robert over the course of the season, Mr. Kraft, and it’s been positive. Always willing and always available.”

Van Pelt has done a tremendous job of developing rookie quarterback Drake Maye behind the scenes, but one has to wonder about his job security if the offense doesn’t improve.

More importantly, how does coach Jerod Mayo feel about his involvement? After the game, he was asked why the team didn’t run Maye in short-yardage situations and responded, “You said it. I didn’t.”

He has since clarified those comments, but the initial response had many believing he was attempting to throw Van Pelt under the bus. So far, the Patriots have been a sinking ship with people grabbing life vests while they still can.

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Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte apologizes to Alex Van Pelt for post-game comments

Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte says he apologized to Alex Van Pelt

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte told reporters he apologized to offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt for his post-game comments after Sunday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

The offense looked dead in the water against the Cardinals’ defense until they upped the tempo in the fourth quarter. After the game, Boutte said he would have liked for the team to commit to that same tempo throughout the entire game.

“Nobody likes losing. It was frustration I had lingering from the game into the post-game interview,” Boutte said, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “I feel like I was wrong for what I said. It wasn’t the right way to handle it.”

It was a rough day for Van Pelt, who was also caught up in coach Jerod Mayo’s controversial post-game comments.

Mayo was asked why the team didn’t run rookie quarterback Drake Maye in short-yard situations.

“You said it, I didn’t,” Mayo responded.

The first-year coach has since clarified those comments after coming off like he was throwing his offensive coordinator under the bus. If anything, this is proof that the issues for New England extend beyond the football field.

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Jerod Mayo clarifies controversial post-game playcalling comments

Jerod Mayo clarifies his controversial post-game comments on the offensive playcalling

New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo clarified his “you said it, I didn’t” comment from Sunday’s press conference, following the loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

The question was raised about whether or not the Patriots should have used quarterback Drake Maye as a runner more in the failed red zone runs in the third quarter.

New England tried back-to-back run attempts using running backs Antonio Gibson and Rhamondre Stevenson on a third-and-one and fourth-and-one situation. Both attempts made by the team failed and squandered a potential scoring drive.

Maye has shown an ability to run with the football this season, recording 359 rushing yards and two touchdowns. When Mayo was asked if the Patriots should have used Maye as a runner, the head coach responded, “You said it, I didn’t.”

Initially, some took that as him placing the blame on offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.

“The remark that I made last night, you said it, I didn’t—I didn’t mean anything by it,” Mayo said Monday on “The Greg Hill Show.” “It may have been a flippant response, and I tried to clarify that with the next question saying, ultimately, it’s my decision. Ultimately, all of those decisions, offensively, defensively and special teams fall on me. I just wanted to get that out there.”

Some have wondered if there’s a disconnect within the coaching staff that would cause Mayo to even make those comments in the first place. It’s hard to know for sure, but one thing is certain: The product on the field isn’t helping their case.

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Patriots OC points out reasons for rookie WR Ja’Lynn Polk’s struggles

OC Alex Van Pelt weighs in on WR Ja’Lynn Polk’s rookie struggles

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt still believes that rookie wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk can be a good player in the NFL despite his struggles.

The rookie has recorded 12 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns on the year. He received only one target against the Indianapolis Colts the last time the Patriots played.

Things looked promising to start his career, as he recorded a touchdown in the Patriots’ season-opening win over the Cincinnati Bengals back in September. However, inconsistent play has been a theme for him throughout the season.

When speaking with media members, via Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed, Van Pelt said he believed Polk’s struggles are mostly due to a tough transition from the collegiate level to playing in the NFL, along with a mental setback due to dropped passes.

More importantly, he believes Polk will still be a “very good player” in the league.

These final four games of the season will be important for the Washington product. New England is working on developing the wide receiver room, and Polk was thought to be a player who could play a key role in the Patriots’ future.

Now, he has to go out and prove it.

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Patriots OC calls for rookie Drake Maye to improve one constant struggle

Alex Van Pelt wants rookie QB Drake Maye to knock off the turnovers

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt isn’t giving Drake Maye a pass for the numerous turnovers.

Many have chalked those struggles up to a rookie quarterback learning at the NFL level. However, Van Pelt shot down the rookie excuse when speaking with media members on Wednesday.

“The turnovers, they have to stop,” said Van Pelt, as transcribed by the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed. “There’s no excuse there, rookie, 10-year player that doesn’t matter. We can’t turn the ball over and expect to win games.”

Maye has thrown seven interceptions and fumbled five times through seven starts. It’s an alarming trend that obviously needs to improve moving forward.

With that said, Maye is also playing behind arguably the NFL’s worst offensive line. There are players blocking for him who probably wouldn’t even make half of the rosters in the league.

It’s a mess right now.

It doesn’t help matters that the team is severely lacking in playmaking wide receivers as well. Maye is a young player carrying a horrendous offense on his shoulders. He’s playing Superman for a roster full of kryptonite.

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Patriots OC comments on ownership seeking outside help for Drake Maye

Alex Van Pelt commented on the recent report that ownership sought outside help for Drake Maye’s development

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt commented on the report that ownership was seeking outside help to develop rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

The report came out on Wednesday and indicated that the organization had asked around the league for help with the quarterback’s development. Van Pelt was viewed as the coach who would work the closest with Maye, which was a role that was established early on.

The rookie has put together five solid starts for the Patriots, tallying 954 passing yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions.

Van Pelt appeared on the “Jones & Keefe” Show on 98.5 The Sports Hub on Friday and offered his viewpoint on the report.

“I don’t read anything or see anything that’s out there in the press,” said Van Pelt. “I mean, I’m sure, we’ve got a lot invested in the guy. I think I have a good feel on how to get him ready, and I think it’s showing so far. Not worried about that at all. I’m here to develop Drake Maye, and that’s what I’m gonna do.”

Maye appears to be on an upward trajectory, and Van Pelt’s influence can be seen in his development. The bond between an offensive coordinator and first-year quarterback is generally something that isn’t wise to shake up.

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Patriots OC notices a new playmaker emerging at wide receiver

Kayshon Boutte is emerging into a key target on offense

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt gave wide receiver Kayshon Boutte high praise ahead of Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

According to Van Pelt, Boutte has been one of the team’s “most consistent” players. The second-year wide receiver has recorded 11 catches for 185 yards and a touchdown this season.

He got more involved late in the Patriots’ comeback win over the New York Jets last week. He recorded three critical catches for 46 yards on six total targets.

“The last four weeks, his plays has been exceptional,” Van Pelt said, when speaking with media members during the week.

Boutte’s emergence could spell good things for the Patriots offense.

The team has waited for another receiver to emerge alongside DeMario Douglas as a consistent playmaker. Up to this point, that player has been the former LSU standout.

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Patriots OC Alex Van Pelt adjusts Week 8 stat sheet for offensive line

Alex Van Pelt is calling Week 8 a “zero sack day” for the Patriots’ offensive line

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt was impressed with the team’s offensive line play in last week’s victory over the New York Jets.

The Patriots’ offensive line has been a hot-button issue throughout the season. They have used several different line combinations with injuries and inconsistent play on the field forcing them to constantly adjust. They have given up 27 sacks on the year, which is the second-most in the NFL.

However, their on-field play has improved recently, and Van Pelt is taking notice. He even took up for them by adjusting the stat line from two sacks to zero sacks allowed against the Jets.

The former longtime quarterbacks coach faulted the quarterbacks on those plays for not getting the ball out quickly enough.

The play of the offensive line is the key to unlocking the entire offense for the Patriots. Keeping rookie quarterback Drake Maye upright is vital for the future of the team, if they have any hopes of getting back on track.

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OC Alex Van Pelt addresses frustrations from Patriots’ wide receivers

Alex Van Pelt responded to the frustrations from the wide receivers

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt acknowledged the frustrations of Patriots receivers when meeting with the media on Thursday.

Wide receiver DeMario Douglas shared his concerns about his lack of targets earlier in the year, and on Wednesday, Kayshon Boutte expressed his concerns with the offensive play-calling.

The Patriots offense started to find life with rookie quarterback Drake Maye under center in the last two games. Still, the organization ranks towards the bottom of the league in overall offensive production. They are currently ranked 30th in the NFL with 262.9 offensive yards per game.

Van Pelt addressed the concerns of the wide receivers on Thursday.

“I think we all understand we’re frustrated. … I think that group in particular has to keep its focus inward,” said Van Pelt, via the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan.

The two leading pass-catchers in last week’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars for New England were tight end Hunter Henry and running back JaMycal Hasty.

We’ll see if things change in a tougher defensive matchup against the visiting New York Jets on Sunday.

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