Tag: alex van pelt

Patriots OC claims Drake Maye is ‘very different’ than start of season

Drake Maye’s improvements from the start of the season to now have been noticeable on the football feild

The goal for the New England Patriots is for rookie quarterback Drake Maye to develop and continue improving as a player, and things appear to be going according to that plan to this point, per offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.

Maye made his first start on Sunday against the Houston Texans. He was the first Patriots quarterback to throw for three touchdowns in a game since 2022. He showed off his mobility and a strong arm in that contest.

It was a relatively rapid climb for the rookie, who sat on the bench for the first five weeks of the season. Now, he is being fully thrust into things as the starting quarterback.

Van Pelt was impressed with the quarterback’s performance on Sunday, and he indirectly commented on his development in the process, as transcribed by the Boston Herald’s Zack Cox.

The progression and development will be important for Maye, as he looks to lead the charge into a new era for the Patriots. His next test will come against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Update on Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye’s knee injury ahead of Week 7

Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt comments on Drake Maye’s knee injury

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt commented on the health of Drake Maye on Thursday morning.

The rookie quarterback went in for an MRI for a knee injury on Wednesday, as reported by the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin. Now, Van Pelt has a positive update on the quarterback.

“I’m not concerned. …He looked good to me yesterday,” said Van Pelt, via the Boston Herald’s Zack Cox.

Maye threw for 243 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in his debut on Sunday against the Houston Texans. So the fact that Van Pelt isn’t too concerned is reassuring. Maye has been a full participant at practice as well.

Mobility is going to be important for Maye, as he looks to navigate the challenges of an offensive line that is still trying to find its footing. The UNC product will look to build off a promising debut start against a struggling Jacksonville Jaguars team on Sunday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Patriots OC Alex Van Pelt still haunted by this particular matchup

Alex Van Pelt hasn’t been able to get over his play-calling decisions in this game

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt admitted Thursday that some of his play calls from the loss to the New York Jets back in September still haunt him.

The Jets defeated the Patriots by a 24-3 margin in that game.

The Patriots had 78 rushing yards on 15 carries with the team averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Through the air, however, the team only had 61 passing yards on 16 attempts.

For context, the team averaged 1.8 yards per pass attempt, and New England’s lone points of the game came on a field goal.

The Patriots’ offense ranks 31st in the NFL with the team averaging 250.8 total yards per game. The team has had trouble moving the ball through the air, as they are averaging 119.4 passing yards per game.

That ranks last in the NFL.

Van Pelt says he still thinks about some of the play calls against the Jets, even weeks later, via the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan.

There is still time in the season for the play-calling to improve. Nevertheless, it’s hard to feel positive about the current state of the offense.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Jerod Mayo comments on possibility of in-season change at Patriots OC

Alex Van Pelt is expected to continue as the Patriots’ offensive play-caller

New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo is not considering making an in-season change with the offensive play-caller, per MassLive’s Mark Daniels.

Some wondered if it would be a possibility due to the recent offensive struggles, including in Sunday’s loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt’s situational play-calling came into question with the team getting away from the run game, despite its effectiveness.

The Patriots had 7.9 yards per carry on the ground for 151 total rushing yards, but Van Pelt only called 19 run plays.

One has to wonder if Mayo would consider changing his mind if the offensive play-calling continues to struggle. The hope is to create a stable situation for rookie quarterback Drake Maye to come in and have success right out of the gates.

The personnel needs work, but the Patriots must also be more consistent with the play-calling to give the offense a fighting chance.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Patriots OC gets honest about implications of losing David Andrews

Alex Van Pelt weighs in on the magnitude of losing David Andrews

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt discussed the implications of the injury to center David Andrews. He acknowledged that Andrews’ injury is a big loss for the offensive line.

Andrews is set to undergo season-ending surgery on his shoulder and be put on injured reserve. This leaves a big gap on the Patriots’ offensive line with their primary anchor and longtime captain gone for the season.

Van Pelt indicated that quarterback Jacoby Brissett might need to take on more pre-snap responsibilities. He also spoke about what losing Andrews means to the team.

“You can’t fill those shoes with one foot,” said Van Pelt.

This injury could affect the outlook for the rest of the Patriots’ season.

The organization’s offensive line has already struggled through the first four games. Losing Andrews will put additional pressure on others to step up and perform on the unit.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Patriots OC says there’s a different energy with WR Kendrick Bourne back

Kendrick Bourne is already making his presence felt on the practice field

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt noted that the energy at practice has been noticeably different with the return of wide receiver Kendrick Bourne.

Coach Jerod Mayo didn’t rule out the possibility of Bourne playing on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, when speaking to reporters on Wednesday. With that being said, Bourne is making his energy felt right now.

Bourne’s return would be a major boost to the wide receiver unit. He tallied 37 catches for 460 yards and four touchdowns before his season-ending ACL injury last October.

“Man, the energy, the juice—you felt that immediately. Practice was different,” said Van Pelt. “He stepped on the field, the way that he carries himself, the energy that he plays with, that’ll be a huge boost for us in the receiving room.”

Bourne’s return would give Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett a veteran target on the field and a playmaker at a position that desperately needs help. Before going down, Bourne was the Patriots’ leading receiver.

The team hopes he can pick right back up where he left off.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Patriots OC Alex Van Pelt used one-word to describe All-Pro Nick Bosa

Alex Van Pelt only needed one word to describe Nick Bosa

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt didn’t need many descriptive words to share his opinion of 49ers All-Pro defensive end Nick Bosa.

“Nightmare,” Van Pelt said on Thursday, when speaking with media members about the matchup on Sunday.

It’ll be Van Pelt’s struggling offense against the Bosa-led 49ers defense. So far, the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year has two sacks and five quarterback hits.

He’ll be looking to feast on a shaky Patriots offensive line that gave up seven sacks and 15 quarterback hits to the New York Jets last week.

This will be one of those games where the Patriots will need to lean on their running game and the quarterback to get the ball out quicker.

https://twitter.com/MikeReiss/status/1839319896582402296/

Even incompletions can be considered positive plays against the 49ers defense. The primary goal for the Patriots should be to avoid going backward and setting up too many third-and-long situations.

If they can keep Bosa from wrecking the game, they’ll have a fighting chance against the 49ers. Of course, that’s easier said than done for a road team with one of the worst offensive lines in the league.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Patriots OC admits opponents will target star offensive player

Alex Van Pelt expects teams to target the Patriots’ star offensive player

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt addressed concerns about running back Rhamondre Stevenson’s ball security on Monday.

The problem reared its ugly head again in last Thursday night’s 24-3 loss to the New York Jets. Stevenson fumbled for a third time in three consecutive games. Unfortunately for the Patriots, the opposing defense came up with the takeaway this time around.

Stevenson has been a focal point of the Patriots offense this season. He has tallied 52 carries for 224 yards and two touchdowns. The organization has made more of an effort to run the football, and the former Oklahoma star is a big part of that.

“Job security is ball security and now he has a target on his back, said Van Pelt, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “Teams are going to see that and they’re going to come after the football. I know he’ll address it. I know he’s proud about [being secure with the ball] and he’ll be better because of it.”

Stevenson will be going up against a tough San Francisco 49ers defense in Week 4 on Sunday.

The 49ers currently lead the league in forced fumbles created three weeks into the season. The entire Patriots offense will be challenged in the matchup, and Stevenson’s ball security will be paramount.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Patriots OC Alex Van Pelt regrets game plan in loss to Jets

Alex Van Pelt got real honest with the Patriots’ failed offensive game plan

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is looking back on his game plan in the team’s 24-3 loss to the New York Jets on Thursday with regret.

When speaking with media members on Monday, Van Pelt admitted the team should have run the ball more earlier in the game.

The Patriots seemingly went away from the rushing attack for the majority of the game. They only had 15 total carries for 78 yards. There was some efficiency there, as they averaged 5.2 yards per carry. Antonio Gibson led the team with only five carries for 28 yards on the evening.

The Jets have struggled against the run this season, giving up 129.3 yards per game over the first three games of the season. They were also playing without All-Pro linebacker C.J. Mosley on Thursday.

“In hindsight, should’ve flipped that and ran the ball more early,” said Van Pelt, via Patriots.com’s Evan Lazar.

Things won’t get any easier with the Patriots set to take on the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4. They’ll have to deal with another tough defensive front led by former Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Patriots QB Joe Milton and Alex Van Pelt show off secret handshake

AVP wins serious style points for this

New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt have been learning on the fly.

Milton is entering his rookie season in the NFL, and Van Pelt is entering his first season as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator. They have already developed something in common. The two have formed a handshake, and it was captured on video Friday.

Milton has had a solid week. He was most recently named one of the eight practice team players of the week and had an opportunity to wear the custom black jersey as a result.

Now, he is continuing to develop that connection with Van Pelt, as the Patriots quarterback room continues to develop and grow.

https://twitter.com/NBCSPatriots/status/1834641808720093358

Time will tell how Milton does on the field. Nevertheless, it’s encouraging that he’s building a strong rapport with the coaches as the team starts from scratch in the quarterback room.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]