SANTA CLARA, Calif. — New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye stated he obtained a pain-killing injection for his injured proper throwing shoulder earlier than the group’s 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Tremendous Bowl LX on Sunday night time.
Maye, who was emotional after the sport, was requested how his shoulder felt, and he stated: “I shot it up, so not a lot feeling. It was good to go, and it felt all proper.”
The damage appeared to have an effect on Maye. He turned the ball over 3 times, together with a strip sack late within the third quarter that the Seahawks shortly was a landing for a 19-0 lead as they cruised to victory. He then threw two interceptions within the fourth quarter, one among which was returned 45 yards for a landing.
The Patriots’ offense was stifled by the Seahawks’ protection for a lot of the first three quarters, with Maye’s safety overwhelmed at instances. Maye & Co. discovered some rhythm within the fourth quarter that helped bolster his ultimate stat line — 27 of 43 for 295 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Within the aftermath of the AFC Championship Sport, when he landed on his proper shoulder on a 13-yard run late within the third quarter, Maye had been restricted in a single apply after which held out of one other. However he stated he felt he turned a nook upon arriving in California on Feb. 1 and practiced totally within the Patriots’ three exercises main as much as the sport. Maye stated Thursday that he was feeling nice, though he had nonetheless been listed on the damage report all final week, per NFL guidelines.
The Patriots’ offense completed the common season ranked third within the NFL in whole yards (397.4 common) however by no means discovered its groove within the playoffs towards among the league’s top-rated defenses. Maye was requested if he felt the shoulder restricted him.
“I believe it might be exhausting to say that. I used to be feeling ok to be on the market,” he stated. “I would not put the group in hurt’s solution to not be myself. Simply did not make performs tonight.”
Maye was additionally sacked six instances, which was partly a results of safety breakdowns. Rookie left deal with Will Campbell struggled, giving up two sacks. In response to Subsequent Gen Stats, Campbell — the No. 4 choose in final April’s draft — gave up 14 pressures, probably the most given up by any NFL participant in a recreation this season.
“Actually did not do a ok job. It hurts,” beginning heart Garrett Bradbury stated of the general safety. “Drake is the face of this franchise. He is the chief of this group. I believe this entire locker room is aware of that.”
NFL Coach of the Yr Mike Vrabel took a big-picture view of the season, which included a 14-3 document and shock look within the Tremendous Bowl.
“I am happy with every thing that they did. I am upset, similar to they’re,” he stated. “I reminded them that we’re 307 days into what hopefully is a protracted, profitable relationship and program. And it is OK to be upset. We’ve to be upset and upset collectively.
“And like I all the time do, I inform them I am appreciative of them. I am grateful. I am grateful that I get to educate them. And we do not wish to be a part of our id as not being a front-runner. And so once more, similar to yearly, anyone’s going to lose this recreation. And now we have to recollect what it seems like and ensure that it is not repeated.”
Maye choked up at instances whereas reflecting on the sport and his second NFL season.
“This hurts. It positively hurts. They performed higher than us tonight,” he stated. “They deserved to win that recreation. For the entire group and myself, what a journey it has been for us. I like this group and people guys within the locker room. We left all of it on the sphere and simply got here up brief. We did not play our greatest, and that is what occurs. … It may sting for some time, however that is what you join.”
Maye added that he appears ahead to the group’s second season beneath Vrabel.
“He was a heartbeat, little question about that. He was an enormous cause why we’re right here. He is all the time the identical, and I sit up for my relationship with him for a very long time,” Maye stated. “He is an excellent particular person and a helluva soccer coach.”
