Former NFL QB impressed by Drake Maye’s processing speed

Drake Maye’s pre-draft interview is impressing more than just fans

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye left both media members and fans impressed when showing off his football knowledge in the recent viral video of his pre-draft interview with the New York Giants.

It was especially impressive to former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak, who complimented the rookie’s processing speed.

The clip was shown on “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants,” which gives a behind-the-scenes look at the franchise’s front office. Maye was shown in a recent episode reading a play correctly and calling it back verbatim to the Giants’ coaching staff.

“I would say yes because they gave you eight seconds of information. That’s a lot of overload right there,” Zolak said on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak & Bertrand.” “Gun, dolphin right, 72, tundra, float, h angle, ready break. And he’s got to get up there and set it to the wheel. ‘Yeah, I got it.’

“Here’s one thing I’ve learned about him: He’s very excitable. Like you can tell, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, easy stuff.’ He’s a quick talker. When you’re a quick talker, you’re not a slow, let me think as I’m talking, processing it. He digested it fast, which is good. That’s quick because it’s a lot of terminology at this level.”

Perhaps this is one of the things the Patriots saw in Maye that made him their top draft target.

Regardless, this video shows his ability to pick up on things quickly. That will certainly come in handy for a Patriots team that needs a quick spark from the quarterback position. At the very least, he appears to have a fan in Zolak.

Matt Patricia’s next position with Patriots might have been revealed

What will Matt Patricia be up to in 2023?

Matt Patricia might have experienced his worst season as a New England Patriot after being promoted to offensive play-caller in place of former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Surely, the former Detroit Lions head coach and Patriots defensive coordinator hoped to rehabilitate his coaching image in New England to potentially land that next big opportunity. But those hopes obviously went up in smoke following the offensive catastrophe that occurred this season.

So if it really is back to the drawing board for Patricia, where would that be within the Patriots’ organization?

As much as Patricia’s name has been raked through the coals, coach Bill Belichick was the one that ultimately put him in the offensive play-calling position. So it’s hard to envision him actually being fired for what happened.

The Patriots have announced they’re beginning the process of interviewing offensive coordinator candidates, and according to broadcaster Scott Zolak, the team might already have an idea of what Patricia will be doing in 2023.

“I think Matt’s going to be moving upstairs,” said Zolak, via 98.5 The Sports Hub. “Sort of back to the same role he was in and still have, you know, the main ear of the coach.”

So Patricia would likely serve as more of an advisor to Belichick.

It’s the most sensible option because it keeps him involved without completely tarnishing his image after a disappointing season. Patricia is a solid coach with impeccable football knowledge in the right position. But that clearly isn’t as an offensive play-caller in the NFL.

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Scott Zolak has an interesting take on how the Patriots will organize their offensive staff

Did Scott Zolak nail down Bill Belichick’s vision for the offense after Josh McDaniels?

The most interesting discussion of the New England Patriots offseason — so far — has been the team’s organization of staff following the departure of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and three offensive assistants (and one more potentially pending).

The Patriots have tight ends coach Nick Caley coming back. They also hired former New York Giants coach and former Patriots special teams coordinator Joe Judge. Those two coaches will be at the center of New England’s plans. Will Bill Belichick hire more coaches? Who will call plays, if the Patriots don’t hire anymore coaches?

NFL analyst and former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak made a guess at how New England’s staff comes together. Here’s a look.

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What do you think? Do you like the look of it?

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Bill Belichick drops a one-liner when asked about quarterback depth

Scott Zolak was the butt of Bill Belichick’s joke.

Scott Zolak had better keep his arm warm. New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick may need an emergency quarterback.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL has allowed teams to place veterans on the practice squad, which were spots originally reserved for younger players. That has made for a wild situation: Josh McCown, 41, is the oldest player to ever be on a practice squad. The Philadelphia Eagles signed him this week. Teams are taking precautions in the event COVID-19 spreads through their quarterback room. McCown is an emergency quarterback.

During a conference call with reports on Tuesday, Belichick was asked Tuesday if he’d consider signing one as well.

“Scott Zolak is right around the corner,” the coach joked.

Zolak played for the Patriots from 1991 to 1998, but is now a sports radio personality and the color commentary analyst on the local TV broadcast. It’s safe to say he’s not seeing the field in 2020. No chance.

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