HEAD COACH JEROD MAYO

Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, October 27, 2024

M: Good afternoon. I thought it was a good team win. I thought the guys, even though we were down a few guys, we always talk about the next man up mentality. The safeties definitely stepped up today, especially without having Dugger and Peppers back there. I thought the three of those guys did a good job. Going back to the next man up mentality, you lose Drake early in the game. I thought Jacoby was ready to go. Was it perfect? No. But at the same time I thought the operation was good. I thought he made some good throws. We just got to continue to build on that. I thought up front the pass pro was pretty good. 95 started taking the game over a little bit. I thought, again, the guys showed the resilience they've developed over the past few weeks. Really proud of the guys. There was a lot of noise and a lot of chatter. I'm very appreciative of just their attitude and professionalism on an everyday basis. I thought it was good. Look, I would say the guys on the special teams... I thought the energy overall was better. It's good to get a win here at home in Gillette.

Q: I think with the week that was here, it came down to, sports can be funny, a fourth-and-goal at the one with 25 seconds left. What did that mean to you to watch your team rally together and put it in, but also come off hooting and hollering?

JM: It means a lot. When you preach something and it shows up in the game, it's always going to be more impactful. I would say there comes a point in time where everybody in the stadium knows you got to run the ball. On defense or offense, there comes a point in time where they know, everyone knows, the fans know, it's a run play. You got to really just defeat the man across from you. Look, fortunately our guys got movement and we scored, so it was great.

Q: Dugger was added to the injury report late. How did you have to do some last-minute adjustments? Jonathan Jones was playing more safety than usual.

JM: J. Jones. We talk about versatility in our personnel. He knows every single spot, every single location. I thought Marte did a good job as far as controlling the huddle, communicating overall. Those guys played well.

Again, to go back to the next man up, not to sound cliché or redundant, that's the mentality we have to have if we want to build what we want to build.

Q: The comments, saying that the Patriots played soft. This week, different outcome. What word would you use to describe the way the team played today?

JM: I don't think I've ever really questioned the resilience of this team. I'm not going to go back to those comments. What I will say is we have a room full of guys with the mentality that you got to change the page every day. Every day is a new day. We have to get better and understand practice is the most important thing we do until we get to the game, so...

Q: Four yards per carry allowed defensively. What did you do this week to get some improvement?

JM: Under four yards a carry. I think it was 3.9.It's really the guys going out there and executing. There's no magic pill or magic drink or anything like that. It's a mentality that we're going to stop the run. I thought for the most part we did stop the run. Saying that, we'll go back and watch the film. There were a few that popped on us a little bit. We'll get those corrected.

Q: You talked about the noise and the chatter this week. What would you say you learned about yourself throughout this week?

JM: For me, look, I don't hear that stuff. You talk about adversity, you talk about chatter. It will always be there. I think there's a difference between, like, noise and signals. If I can pick up on signals of what's coming out of the locker room from you guys talking to the players, that's great. The rest of it's just noise to me. My ultimate goal is to get this team better every single day.

Q: You mentioned seeing resilience from this team that they built up the last few weeks. How and where did you see them build that resilience?

JM: I think I told you guys, I thought the past three weeks of practice have been pretty good. It's good to see that show up in the game.

Q: We saw Drake Maye go down in the second quarter. How is he doing, if you have any update on him?

JM: I walked in at halftime and saw him. The competitor that he is, obviously he wanted to go back out there and play. But there's a protocol that he has to go through. Again, can't wait to get him back.

Q: It seemed like the run game struggled to get things going for most of the game. Figured it out later. Was there something specific you saw to help them get back on track?

JM: I always say, like, in the run game, there are certain philosophies where a three-yard run is not a good run. If it's physical to me, I liken it to boxing, those are body blows. If you get enough of those body blows, you get to the second half, you start to pop some bigger runs. I think that's what happened today.

Q: Two timeouts. You took obviously a different approach. What is your thought about those two different situations? Do you feel the outcome of the game will give you more confidence to play aggressively, more aggressively, going forward?

JM: Look, I'll just talk about the end of the half. At the end of the half you lose your starting quarterback, you just want to get the clock running so we can reset at halftime. That was really the mentality there. I know the fans and stuff, they don't like it. They always want to try to go out there. I would say it was just a chance for us to get in the locker room, hit the reset button.

Q: We were aware that Ja'Whaun Bentley addressed the team. I know other leaders did, as well. How much did that leadership play a role in helping turn things around or getting the right message across?

JM: Yeah, to me it's always been that way. The head coach has a message, and you lean on your captains or leaders on the squad to disseminate that message, reinforce that message throughout the rest of the group. I thought those guys did that this week. Yeah, that's what I thought.

Q: Obviously you sent a message to the group. You see this type of response today, buy-in that the group demonstrated. What does that mean big picture about you as a coach and also this group playing for you?

JM: Yeah, I'm not sure what it means for me as a coach personally. I'm proud of the guys in the locker room, how they approach each and every day no matter what is going on. It's not just the media as far as noise. It's family, friends, all of that. Social media. All of that stuff. Look, the guys hear it. At the same time just don't listen to it. You just continue to go on the practice field and get better. I thought we did that.

Q: Looked like a helmet-to-helmet hit that took out Drake. Did you have any conversations with the officials? Were you surprised that a penalty wasn't called?

JM: They didn't call it. I had conversations with them the entire game. I thought some of those calls were questionable. At the same time I have to go back and watch the film. We'll have those conversations.

Q: Not to belabor the resiliency tag here. If anyone personifies that, you could say Rhamondre Stevenson does. Can you talk about him. He was not in first-and-goal from the two. Why wasn't he in?

JM: Rhamondre is one of our best players. I haven't backed down from that at all. There was some tempo in there, and didn't have the opportunity to get him in at that time. Thanks.

QUARTERBACK JACOBY BRISSETT

Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, October 27, 2024

Q: Jacoby, could you take us through your afternoon. What was that like for you? Concern over Drake, but to come in and do what you did, what did that mean for the team today?

JB: Yeah, obviously you never want to see a player go down. Obviously hoping Drake gets back. I think it was a good win. Fighting through adversity. We got a challenge earlier this week, the guys came out and responded well. Obviously being able to come in the game and guys rally around me and help make plays. We obviously pushed it in at the end to score the win. I think that was the encompass of a lot of things throughout the season. Just hoping this is a snowball effect, start of something special.

Q: There have been other drives this year late in the fourth quarter where things did not work out. Take us through the huddle for this final drive. What happened in terms of confidence and execution?

JB: Yeah, I think it's guys just believing in each other, taking it one play at a time. The start of the drive, everybody is like, no matter what, one play at a time, one play at a time. That was the message before the two-minute started. Guys went out there and made plays. You kind of black out and play football after that.

Q: Can you take us through the throw to Kayshon Boutte at the end. Did you know the hit was coming?

JB: No, I didn't. I didn't see it. Kayshon made a great play. I felt like I under-threw it. As soon as it came off my hand, I was like, 'damn.' He made an unbelievable play, a play that we needed at that time. The safety had tilted the opposite way, away from the X, where Kayshon was lined up. He did the rest. I was a mere speck on the play.

Q: Through the first seven games, there were seven different offensive line starting combinations. This is the second time this group got a chance to play together. What were your thoughts watching them initially? Did you see them coming off the ball a little bit differently? What would you say about their performance today?

JB: You definitely saw the confidence build throughout the game. The Jets have a good D-line. Obviously getting Hasson [Reddick] back this week, it was a boost for them. Those guys knew they had a challenge. You could see it, as I was in the game, our guys' confidence starting to build. Asking for plays on the sideline, buying into the plan, communicating. I thought they did a hell of a job.

Q: We could hear the celebration in the locker room. Can you take us through what it was like coming off the field, first win at home, six weeks... What was it like coming into that locker room?

JB: Yeah, it's exciting. Winning in the NFL is hard. I know y'all don't think that, but it's hard. The guys have worked hard throughout the season, going back to training camp. We've been in a lull. Things haven't been going our way. But today the ball bounced our way. To celebrate that, experience that with the guys, it's a great learning tool for young guys for one, but also for our team it's like if we stay the course, stick with the process, sometimes you get lucky enough and the ball bounces your way.

Q: I know 'team first'. You didn't like being benched, which no one does.

JB: Yeah.

Q: How does this feel for you personally to have a little bit of a redemption story today?

JB: I don't look at it as no redemption. I think this is a testament to me believing in myself and not y'all. I'm very aware of that. I was very fortunate to have this opportunity. To go out there and get a win with our guys, it was sweet. You can't put it into words. I'm not trying to, like, be arrogant or nothing, but I'm very proud of myself today.

Q: Obviously getting benched isn't easy. Showing the resilience you did today, was there anything about having that time, perspective, that helped you?

JB: No. It was just believing in myself, sticking to what I know is right, that I can play in this league. I don't look at it as anything else but that. Like I said, just believing in myself and going out there and doing what I know I can do on a day-in, day-out process, basis. These were the results.

Christian Gonzalez, CB

(On how he'd assess his performance)

"I mean, we won. We won. We won."

(On how good the win feels and how badly the team needed it)

"You always want to win, that's what this profession is about, winning. Like you said, started out not good but got the win today. It's a win, it's a win, but we've got to string them together. So we've got to enjoy this one tonight and turn the page and be ready for next week."

(On how the celebratory energy in the locker room feels)

"Feels great. I mean, we go through all this stuff, we go through wins together, we go through losses together. We come in every day and practice and practice and practice. To get this one, a win and a divisional win, it means a lot."

(On how much of this win was about mentality)

"It was mentality but also that's football, it's always mentality, you know. We're not always going to look at our record, our wins or losses, we're not going to look at the scoreboard, we're not going to look at who's up, who's down. Alright go out there, next play after next play, one play at a time. We'll look at the scoreboard at the end of the game."

(On how Jacoby Brissett performed after Drake Maye went down)

"Coby's a vet. I mean, it's not like he's never been put in that situation. I mean, he came in, you know we rallied behind him. We're excited he went out there and handled business on the offensive side."

(On how important results are after putting in so much work as a team)

"Yeah, I mean it's big. You've just got to get over that hump. And we've got to learn the humps. It means a lot, but I know I keep saying it – we're going to enjoy it but we've got to string these together. We've got that good energy going into next week, so we're excited for that."

Hunter Henry, TE

(On what today's result says about the team after the week they had)

"I think we've been a tough football team the whole entire year. Obviously the record speaks for itself and we haven't been able to produce that into wins. But guys just keep going to work, keep enduring the hard times and just continue to be mentally tough more than anything. I think it was just good for everybody to go out there and execute and get a big win. I think everybody needed that."

(On the postgame celebration in the locker room)

"I mean it's always good, it's a great feeling, especially the way the season has gone so far. Six straight weeks of just tough locker rooms. So to finally break through and have a big win for us, especially at home, it's just what we needed. The locker room reacted how it should, I mean that's a big win, divisional win, against a really good football team that has a lot of talent. So it's huge for us."

(On how Jacoby Brissett performed on and off the field after Drake Maye went down)

"Drake, it's obviously tough to see him go down, you never want to see that. Hopefully he gets better and he's good. Jacoby's a proven vet, a guy that's been around, played a lot of football, obviously played a lot of games with us this year. Had to sit the last couple weeks, but he's always ready, man. For him to step up, lead a big drive within the game was huge and I was super happy to go out there and compete with him."

(On the feeling in the huddle going into the touchdown play)

"Well, we needed whatever, six inches, we needed just to get the football across the goal line. Play that we've repped a lot. We were able to execute, Mondre [Rhamondre Stevenson] tough run-in and able to get it in."

(On the receivers not making catches throughout the game and Kayshon Boutte responding with making final catches)

"Always want to be reliable. That's something that hopefully by the end of my career, that's one of the number one things guys can say, that they can rely on me in every situation. Not only just football but rely on me off the field too. I think it was really cool to see how those guys responded though, like you said. Huge play by Kayshon at the end, I was really happy to see him make a big play. It can be hard when you get hit with some adversity, this team's been hit with adversity. For him to respond the way that he did and make a big play, and a big moment, you know those last two catches at the end, it was huge for us and it was exciting to see him kind of get going."

Rhamondre Stevenson, RB

(On the difference from their Week 3 loss to the Jets and this win today)

"Well I look at every game as a totally different game even though it's the same team. I think we ran the ball, we ran the ball a lot. We were physical up front, the o-line was moving people. I think we had a nice physical game. I'm glad it ended the way it did."

(On knowing he was getting the ball on fourth-and-goal on their last drive)

"The win is kind of on my back at this point of the game. I knew I had to get in regardless of what happened to get the win, and I'm glad I did that."

(On plying with a little extra fight today)

"Yeah, I like to think that's me all the time. Just being relentless, trying to gain yards, breaking tackles. Just trying to give my team a chance, and that is what I try to do every game."

(On the team facing adversity today and what Coach Alex Van Pelt told the team)

"It really is just, next man up. We have got to stay locked into the game, we have a whole game to play. Drake [Maye] got hurt pretty early, so we had a lot of time on the clock to go and get the W. I feel like we did a good job believing in Jacoby [Brissett], just believing in AVP, and going and getting a W."

(On how to characterize the defense today)

"Relentless. Like you said, some guys had to step up today. They did a great job, got us on the field when we needed to get on the field. They played physical, they played just how we would want them to play, so great by them."

Austin Hooper, TE

(On what getting a win does to the team)

"Momentum is such a huge part of team sports, being able to get a win and do it against a talented front. They have some good guys in their front seven, so to be able to get it going in the run game and make the pass plays that we needed to make, it was awesome, it was a fun day. That all culminates for a team victory."

(On Jacoby Brissett and him being ready to play)

"Yeah, that's incredible teaching, incredible leader. There's a reason why he's a team captain. He does so much like before we even get out on the field, he does so much in here. To be able to communicate with everybody, get everybody on the same page, adjustments, everything. Then once you get on the field, the command he has in the huddle, being a veteran quarterback, you would expect that. So, told someone else just when he got in the huddle, he told everyone, 'Alright, take a deep breath, let's go to work.' So, I mean when there's chaos going on, he never wavers. That's why he's a team captain."

(On the team's response after Drake Maye went down)

"You got two options, you either fold or you fight. Thank God Drake's going be alright, but we've got Jacoby too who has won here. You don't really blink. Just like you said, next man up mentality. It's cliché but when situations like this arise, it comes to fruition. So, really happy."

(On if the team needed to be called out)

"If it helps some guys, for sure. But at the end of the day, like I said, once you step in here, you've got to be professional. Whatever you put on tape is who you are. I think that's just a matter of personal pride. I'm sure that probably motivated someone in this locker room. But for us in the tight end room, we need to be pushed a little harder, we need to be in meetings a little more, do whatever. Soak up all the little details, so we can just get over the hump. We can't just stay in games, we've got to get it done. So, I'm happy for the whole team today, coaches and players included. This is what you do it all for, training camp, OTAs, all this is for moments like this."

Jonathan Jones, CB

(On what was important in today's game)

"Just confidence. That's really what it comes down to. It shows if we do the little things and do them right, like not turning the ball over, getting off the field on defense, not giving up big plays, special teams; you have an opportunity, an opportunity to win and make the plays when it counts."

(On Jacoby Brissett being put in today's game)

"He has held his situation this season with poise. He has been nothing short of amazing in his role in handling adversity; he has done a great job at that. He blocked out the noise, he came in and was a leader. He did everything we needed him to do."

(On what inspired him heading into today's game)

"I think it was just as a team, we have come up short in the last few weeks and haven't done the things that we need to do, so just depending on each other and finding a way as a team to come out with a win."

(On what shifted heading into the second half of today's game)

"I think we all just dug in. We had our backs against the wall, and we weren't playing our best football, so I think we came out as a team in the second half."

Keion White, DE

(On the growth in today's game versus the last time they played the Jets)

"I think there are still things we need to clean up, but I think playing a heartfelt game like that really rallies the guys together and helps us grow in the future."

(On the team's ability to showcase overcoming adversity in today's game)

"I mean, it's just one win so we can't say we are this type of team because of one win, but I think especially as a defense, you just have to build upon where it matters."

(On what the message was in the locker room during halftime)

"It's just the next man up mentality. Jacoby [Brissett] has been in the league for a long time, and we trusted that he knew what to do and we rolled with it. Obviously, we missed Drake [Maye] out there and hope to have him back quickly but again we have to adjust and keep rolling."

Marcus Jones, CB

(On his long punt return)

"Yeah, it was one of those situations where [JaMychal] Hasty had a great block, first off. All my guys were working their tails off all year, so that was pretty good, but I owned one for sure. I definitely should have scored, but I put that on myself."

(On the quick transition from cornerback to punt returner in-game)

"It's one of those situations where you always make sure that you condition. We take pride in making sure that we're conditioned as a football team in general, so that's the main thing that we focus on."

(On turning the page after the last game)

"Coach Mayo talked to us about the situation. Of course we know we have six losses, but it's all about going back to practice. We can't mope on what's in the past. What's in the past is what we can't change. It's one of those situations where we do still control our destiny, and making sure that we go 1-0 each week is the main thing. We're happy with what we've done."

(On the energy in the locker room after a win)

"It felt great. We put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears in everything. It comes down to practice and training camp and everything. It's hard to win in this league, and some people take it for granted, but it's definitely hard to do. We're happy to get it done."

Christian Elliss, LB

(On the atmosphere in the locker room)

"Yeah, it was ecstatic. It's what we expect from ourselves; it's what we expect from this team. All glory to God and to the men I fought alongside today. We did great."

(On his mentality today)

"Be joyful; be joyful with the opportunity God's given me. I felt like last week when I was watching film, I just didn't like how when even I made a play, when my teammates made a play, my mind was automatically on to the next play instead of enjoying the moment. So, my mentality going into this game was be joyful, be joyful with every opportunity, every snap, every breath that the Lord gives me."

(On his sack of Aaron Rodgers)

"Me and Dell [Pettus] had a little miscommunication at first. We got it sorted out, so I ended up adding in late. I was able to chip Breece [Hall] on the way in, and then my mind kind of just went blank, and it's see ball, get ball."

(On how his preparation has changed with his growing role)

"I think my coaches do a great job of getting me prepared, of making sure my eyes are in the right place, I have good keys. When it comes to the things I do on the day-to-day, I do watch a little bit more film, I stay a little bit longer, but I wouldn't say much changes. I always prepared like I'm a starter, but I would say I maybe just watch a little bit more, stay a little bit longer, and it seems to be working out."

(On the changes the defensive front made to help stop the run)

"It really came down to everyone doing their job. For us as linebackers, we have to have good eyes, good keys. If you have your eyes in the wrong place, then you're going to be all over the field. You're never going to be where you're supposed to be. I would say that's what I took from the last few games I've played, is I've got to lock in my keys, on my eyes, and then the pleasure comes from not trying to do someone else's job. Do my job."

(On what changed to carve out more of a role on defense and contribute more than just special teams)

"I would say it comes down to the coaches' belief in me. They saw, or at least I think they saw, that I'm a little bit faster, I can cover pretty well. I feel like when talking to them, they said they wanted to use my tools a little bit more. Nothing I have is given to me; it's all given to me from above. So, whether it's a small role or a big role, I'm going to play my heart out. I think I wouldn't be where I'm at now if it weren't for High [Dont'a Hightower], [Jerod] Mayo, DC [DeMarcus Covington], and even Mike [Pellegrino] and Brian [Belichick]. There's a lot on our defensive side with the coaches, with belief in me, and just feeding into like, 'Hey, you're the best, you're the best, you're the best, play like it, play like it.' So, I have nothing but high praise for the coaches in getting me ready for this role."

(On the celebration with his teammates in the locker room and what it felt like to get the win)

"I think it was a great win. It was ecstatic in the locker room. I think we're all hungry for more now. I think we're hungry for being better because the game today wasn't perfect. We strive for perfection, but in the moment, like I said, we want to enjoy the things that come to us. I think it was great just to see everybody smiling, everybody excited to win, excited to be here and ready to keep going forward."

Davon Godchaux, DL

(On getting a win at home against the Jets)

"It feels good man, I'm not going to lie. It being a divisional game, it's even better. I remember walking off the field last year, last game of the season, we played them in the snow. It was a salty feeling with them running the ball down our throat. It's always good to come back and beat the Jets at home."

(On the difference between today and Week Three against the Jets)

"Really, we stopped all the cute s**t and we got back to the basics. We played knock-back football, played our assignments and knew our calls. We stopped the run. I thought we did a pretty good job in the run game. There were a couple of scheme things and a couple things we didn't see. For the most part, we did well."

(On how it feels to get a win at home)

"That's always great. I'm sure Mr. [Robert] Kraft was proud, the guys were proud, Jerod [Mayo] was proud. It's good to get a win at home. You've got to take care of home before you try to go somewhere else and beat somebody else at their place. So, it's always good to win here against the Jets, a divisional opponent. Like I said, we look forward to watching film, cleaning it up and getting ready for Tennessee."

Kendrick Bourne, WR

(On the significance of the win)

"Yeah, I think it was a good, tough-fought win. I think that was the biggest thing. We went through adversity, and we kind of answered the bell. So, that's what really feels good. I mean, it wasn't just like a blowout. We earned it."

(On getting refocused at halftime)

"Yeah, shoutout to the defense. They came out, I think they got a three-and-out right after the half, so that was huge, you know, playing complimentary football, things like that. Marcus [Jones] having a good return and setting us up. Things like that, playing for each other, and that was good. So, just coming out of the half, we're still in the game, we here to fight, and we did."

(On Jacoby Brissett entering the game after Drake Maye's injury)

"Jacoby knows the offense. He started out the season for us, so he is very comfortable in there, so there's no drop-off, and that's the key. He comes in, he knows his reads, he knows where to go, and we just got to keep making plays for him."

Kayshon Boutte, WR

(On Jerod Mayo's halftime message)

"The message at halftime, we've just got to keep it going. Down 13-7, don't give up. The game is not over. There's still 30 minutes of ball."

(On his 34-yard reception to set up the game-winning touchdown)

"I feel like it feels great. Like I said, two drops early on, but it feels good to make that one, knowing that the game is on the line and the team counted on me."