PATRIOTS HEAD COACH JEROD MAYO
PRESS CONFERENCE
December 23, 2024
JM: Good morning, everyone. Yesterday, I made a lot of references to the film, and after going back through the film, a lot of things to be proud of. I thought the guys came out fast in a hostile environment, offensively and defensively. Unfortunately, we were unable to carry that over, really, into the second half. Ultimately, this game, it came down to turnovers, number one. There are not many teams in this league that you can have three turnovers in a game, especially one of the top teams in the league. And run defense. That means, to me, those are the two main things that really popped out on film. A lot of big plays made last night; some people, they don't get the recognition. For instance, the deep pass to [Kayshon] Boutte, the protection was good, and that's what football is. Everyone has to be on the same page and work together to make those explosives happen. But like I said, it came down to two things, and that's really just the turnovers and the run defense. Fire away.
Q: Jerod, specific to those turnovers, the last time we saw Rhamondre [Stevenson] have a little bit of a run of fumbles, we saw Antonio [Gibson] actually start a game the next week. Is that something that you'll have to put under consideration this week?
JM: Look, I think everyone understands how important the football is. We're a team that we just can't turn the ball over. I don't think any team can really afford to turn the ball over. I thought Gibby [Antonio Gibson], when he got in there, did a great job. Look, we had to go back and talk about it as a staff, but it's definitely still a possibility. Look, I will say this: we all in this building stand behind Rhamondre and the things that he does. He does a lot of good things. Unfortunately, right now, the ball's just on the ground too much.
Q: After the game, we heard from Drake [Maye] talking about how he's perceived the outside perception of the coaching staff and a lot of the criticism that's been abound in the media and the fan base. He said that criticism is 'some B.S.' Did you hear Drake's comments, and have you talked to him after? What was your reaction to those comments?
JM: I didn't hear the comments, and I haven't talked to Drake about those comments. My main concern is always the people inside this building.
Q: Just kind of a big picture following up on this game. Do you feel that this was, without a win, a statement about the direction the team is going in, that you were that competitive, an opportunity to beat a team that obviously had been rolling? How do you look at that game in terms of the overall projection and direction of this team and franchise?
JM: Yeah, to be frank, I don't believe in good losses. I think there's a lot to learn from the game. Look, we're headed in the right direction, but it's all about consistency, and we have to do that on a down-after-down, a game-after-game basis to be successful in this league.
Q: Just expanding on Drake's comments a little bit. Basically, what he said was that the players have your back as the head coach and the coaching staff's back in a tough season. What does that mean to you, to hear your quarterback and your players have your back?
JM: It means a lot. It means a lot. Hopefully, those guys know I care about them not only as football players, but as men. That's always been my message, and it's been consistent all year. I care about these guys as men, and I have to continue to get better so we can get in the win column and push forward.
Q: I was just curious your take on the – what went into the decision for that fake punt that you guys ended up getting the first down on. Just why you decided to go for that there, and if that's something you're trying to incorporate more.
JM: Yeah, we went into the game, we were playing one of the top teams in the league, playing one of the hottest teams in the league, and you have to steal a possession somewhere. That was kind of the thought process behind that, and I thought those guys went out there and they executed it well.
Q: I want to ask you a follow up about the player who executed that, Dell Pettus. In that role, personal protector is the role that we don't hear a lot about when we watch games typically, you said about that position. But to trust a rookie free agent or a rookie in general in that position, how much leeway did he have? Does he have a green light in certain situations to make that call? We haven't seen that call in a long time.
JM: That's a great question, Bob. Look, first I would say there are no rookies at this point in the season. We only have a few more games left. Secondly, I would say Dell's done a great job all year really taking that role and thriving in that role. We made the call from the sideline; he has the opportunity to cancel it if we don't get the look. That's not how it operates. I hope that answers your question, Bob.
Q: I was wondering, it looked like there were a few delay of game penalties or some close calls as well. I was curious, was that a matter of just not getting the call in in time, in urgency? Was it a communication thing? I was just curious what happened because it did seem like it popped up a few times.
JM: No, it's a great question, Taylor, and good morning. I feel like a lot of those were just different instances. It could have been the operation; it could have been not getting off the field in time. There were multiple things like that. But I would say, overall, from a penalty perspective throughout the game, I thought we were pretty good compared to some of the other games that we've had.
Q: Austin Hooper took a pretty good shot there in the fourth quarter. I did see him come back for one offensive play and a PAT. I'm understanding that those situations can always turn the day after. Is it your understanding that he's all clear right now?
JM: That's my understanding as of right now. If I hear something different, I'm going to go back, and I'm going to tell you something different. But right now, he's fine.
Q: Jerod, just on a couple of the turnovers in the game. What's the coaching point on the Drake Maye-Rhamondre Stevenson lateral? In that instance, do you want to see Rhamondre get beyond, obviously, the point where it would be a fumble, or is that somewhere he should catch the ball? And also on Drake's interception, what would you do with that, and do you want him to push the envelope in those types of spots?
JM: Yeah, that's a good question, Chris. One thing I would say just about the Rhamondre play, obviously you want him to be a little flatter there, but it's the cut block. If we get the cut block by the tackle – watching the film, you get that cut block, we have a big play there. Then on the interception, I was a little bit confused. Look, it was a bad throw. But at the same time, you have a receiver in the end zone getting de-cleated as the ball's in the air, and nothing happened. But look, we've got to clean it up. We've got to clean it up, and that's what we're going to do.
Q: You run the fake punt. You advance the ball 9 yards after that –
JM: Then it's fourth-and-6. We always just try to do what's best for the team. Look, I would say that time of possession is also a big thing, and then also the yardage on the field, the hidden yardage that we continually talk about, and I just felt like that was the best thing to do there.
Q: Just quickly, you mentioned the run defense. It seems like every week there's a big play. Can't take those away from the game. What are you seeing? Are there any commonalities in that?
JM: Lack of consistency.
Q: I was curious what you saw on the Marte Mapu interception and kind of what conversations went into it after when he didn't take the touchback and instead tried to run it out. Just kind of what you saw there and what conversations you had after.
JM: Yeah, he knew the mistake that he made. He was apologetic when he came off the field. Look, some things are better left unsaid. I mean, he understood. He was more disappointed than anyone else as far as making a play like that.
Q: After watching the film, and you mentioned the cut block play with Demontrey [Jacobs], is there any greater chance this weekend of Caedan Wallace getting a shot at right tackle?
JM: That's tough to say. We have to make sure that Caedan is okay and ready to play, so we'll see.
