PATRIOTS HEAD COACH JEROD MAYO
PRESS CONFERENCE
November 13, 2024
JM: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Just to wrap up last week, practice players of the week, Keshawn Banks, D.J. James, John Jiles, Joe Milton [III], and Lecitus Smith. Those guys did a great job for us. They deserve to be recognized. We give them the black jerseys, but oftentimes those guys get forgotten, the guys on the practice squad. There's nothing more important during the week that we do than practice. Some of those guys, look, they're not out there on Sunday, but I think they definitely deserve to be recognized. Looking forward to another good week of practice this week. Wednesday, look, as always, we always turn the page. All of our focus is on the Rams. It's a good football team. It's a good football team. I know maybe their record doesn't really reflect the talent that they have on the roster, the coaching that they have, but this is a good football team. I'm going to continue to stress to the players, to the team, to the coaches, it's having a sense of urgency and really learning how to win. We haven't had a back-to-back win this year. We've lost multiple games in a row, so we know that side of it. Now we've got to figure out how to turn the page after a win and get a victory. When I look at this team, especially offensively, it starts with the quarterback, a guy like Matt Stafford who's done it at a high level for a very long time. I don't think he gets the credit that he deserves, but he is a very accurate passer, can make all the throws, and just because he's older, doesn't mean that he can't move around in the pocket a little bit. Now, not the same as some of these other quarterbacks, but as you study the film, which I know all you guys study a lot of film, he definitely makes people miss in the pocket, and those extended plays are definitely a huge problem. I would also say the receiver position, those guys are definitely good competitors. [Cooper] Kupp's been doing it for a long time, multiple hundred reception seasons. He's just an all-around good player, but it's not just him, the other guys. Turned the Seattle game on, the plays they made at the end of the game where they just refused to be denied as far as catching the ball, and obviously they pulled that one out. I would say Kyren [Williams] does a good job. He's in there the majority of the time. Anytime a back is in there over 80 percent of the time, you look at this guy as a three-down back and really can do it all. He can do it all. Up front, look, they're getting healthy up front. They'll have some guys back that they haven't had over the past few weeks. They're getting healthy up front, and again, just a huge shoutout to [Sean] McVay and his staff. That scheme is hard to defend. The run game looks just like the play-action game. The run game looks just like the boot game, and they do a good job with those fakes and all of that stuff. Defensively, for the Rams' defense, I think it starts up front. To me, I think the coaching staff has done a good job. It's almost like a philosophical change in my mind because you don't have the big-name guy up there. At the same time, I would argue to say this is one of the best fronts that we have seen all year. It's a young group, and they do it the right way. They play the right way. They play together. They hustle. They're all over the place. Our offensive line, they've got to step up. They've got to step up. Really, a lot of people say it's a challenge, but it's an opportunity for them to, again, shut up the naysayers about not being able to establish the line of scrimmage. That's my challenge to them. If we handle those guys, they have guys at the second and third level, obviously, but I think it just starts up front. Special teams-wise, look, I try to put a lot of stress on our special teams to go out there and win every single week. I would say the majority of the year they've done a good job, whether we're talking about Marcus [Jones] in the return game and those hidden yards or close to blocking punts, close to blocking field goals. We just have to continue to try to make plays and try to get the ball back into our offense's hands. With the guys, they're excited. We turned the page this morning, and they're ready to go. Look, we need a good week of practice. It can't just be one day. It can't be up and down. We need a good week of practice to go out here and give ourselves a chance to win this game. Fire away.
Q: I know you talked about challenging your offensive line. It's only Wednesday that we sit here, but is there a sense of optimism about, 'hey, you can get the same five guys out there again for the second straight game,' I think, for the first time all year?
JM: That would be fantastic, and that is my expectation with the realization that you can get to Friday and lose one of those guys. I have my fingers crossed that we can roll the same group out there.
Q: This offseason was a long process to find the right O.C. You guys obviously landed on Alex [Van Pelt]. How grateful are you that he's here? How much has he helped you, but how important has he been to Drake's [Maye] development?
JM: Yeah, he's been huge. I say, look, there's no one in this organization that deserves more credit as far as what Drake has been able to do on the football field than Alex Van Pelt. When we interviewed Alex, I would say when we interviewed all of the coaches that are here, one of the prerequisites or requirements was a guy who was level-headed, a guy who believes in working together, and a guy who doesn't get too high, doesn't get too low. That's Alex, and I appreciate that.
Q: You mentioned the receivers for the Rams and two of the prime ones, [Puka] Nacua and Cooper Kupp, are fifth and third-round picks, respectively. What has allowed them to develop? Is it the scheme? Is it the player? Is it Sean McVay? Is it the receivers coach?
JM: Yeah, that's a great question. I think it's a combination of everything you just said. Look, everyone had a chance to pick those guys at some point in time, and now, look, they're Pro Bowl players, so their scouting department has done a good job. The coaches have done a good job. I would say, ultimately, those players seem like they've taken accountability of their careers. I would also throw the defensive line in there, where you have a lot of young guys up there that just play with relentless effort, and they're going to be a very good team going forward.
Q: The forever question is, though, would Puka Nacua be Puka Nacua if he was here? Would Tyquan Thornton be somebody else if he was there? I'm just using those guys. I'm not asking you to—
JM: Yeah, it's tough to get into those hypotheticals. I do think sometimes the scheme does create superstars, and sometimes it makes people look like a flop, even though when you draft these players, you see something in college that they have done that's encouraging. It's our jobs as coaches to put them in positions to continue to be the player that we saw before.
Q: Jerod, early in the year, when you were talking about the offense, you pointed to the scheme. 'We need to scheme it up better. We need to do some different things.' How have you seen the scheme develop since Drake's been in there, and are you happy with the trajectory that the scheme and the offense is on?
JM: I am happy with the trajectory. I hate to do this, but let's look back at the last game. We were one for five in the red area, but before that, the previous four games, we had nine drives in the red zone. Eight of them were touchdowns, and one of them a field goal. There's a balance, right? There's a balance in giving Drake and the rest of the offense... I know everyone wants to focus on the quarterback because he touches the ball every snap, but you have to remember, we just had a conversation about hopefully having the same offensive line out there. It's not just Drake. It's not just the receivers. It's not just any one person. It's a combination of things.
Q: Some of your personnel that has a chance to potentially practice or play, any update on [Christian] Barmore, [Cole] Strange, those two guys particularly?
JM: Yeah, I would say Barmore is ahead of Strange, and look, there is a chance that he would be able to practice this week or next week, so there is a chance that we'll get him back soon.
Q: Is there a challenge in game-planning for a team like the Rams that you just don't have a ton of familiarity with?
JM: Well, I would push back on that a little bit. There are a lot of coaches, head coaches, offensive coordinators that have fallen from that tree. I'm not saying that they're exactly the same. All of those coaches kind of put their own spin on it, but at the same time, there are a lot of repeat concepts that you can see through multiple teams, whether you're talking San Fran or Miami or any of those other teams. In saying that, he does a good job putting in wrinkles, and there's a lot of pre-snap and post-snap communication that has to happen. Their whole thing is, look, 'we'll use our motions to out-leverage, to out-man people,' and we have to be on our P's and Q's to handle that.
Q: This franchise played the Rams in the Super Bowl six years ago. How similar is McVay's offense then to now?
JM: It's definitely evolved. In saying that, he has his staples of what he wants to do, and he's a good play caller, and they've got a good team.
Q: Jerod, scheme aside, what have you studied or taken away from Sean's success as a fellow young head coach in this league, and what have you noticed about his program?
JM: You can see his evolution. I've been a fan for a long time from afar. The evolution of starting out, 'let's spend all this money in free agency, let's make a run for it,' to now looking at they actually have some draft picks now, that they develop these guys and go out there and play. He's one of those guys going back to the mental agility of being able to change. I think he's one of those guys.
Q: Jerod, what's the challenge? As a player, you did it many, many times, but getting your team to repeat and win back-to-back games that you haven't been able to do?
JM: Yeah, it's just the sense of urgency, and I think part of that has to do with turning the page. I would also say it's the same thing during the game, where it doesn't matter what the score is at halftime. When we come out in the second half, it's 0-0, and that mentality hopefully will get us going. I just try to give them, if we hit these targets offensively, defensively, and special teams, in conjunction with the coaches. If we hit these targets, it gives us a good chance to win the game. Now, will it be nine out of nine targets hit? Probably not. If we can hit seven or eight out of nine, we have a good chance.
Q: Jerod, on Javon Baker, I think he's only got four offensive snaps over the last couple of weeks. Obviously, he's doing enough in practice to get on the field, but do you think you're seeing him enough in games to get a full evaluation of him?
JM: Look, this is still a work in progress, and that's any rookie. I will also say, we've been going for a long time now, and there has to be a point in time, at least for the rookies, that they can take a breather. Unfortunately, we don't have that time right now, and he's going to continue to get better. He's been great in the meeting rooms and hopefully shows up on the field.
Q: I wanted to ask about Drake Maye. Going back and watching the film, is sliding going to be more of an emphasis going forward with him? I feel like I saw a few headfirst dives and things like that.
JM: We have a sliding period today in practice.
PATRIOTS QUARTERBACK DRAKE MAYE
PRESS CONFERENCE
November 13, 2024
Q: Drake, a lot was said this week again, a sense of urgency. That was Jerod's [Mayo] message. How do you take that? We kind of talked about what you said to your offense after practice one day last week. What kind of things go through your mind as you try to get back-to-back wins for the first time?
DM: Yeah, just build on it from last week. I think a big win in Chicago in an away game in a big-time atmosphere. I remember, shoot, the time I was yelling, 'Set hut,' for the snap a few times on fourth down before I called time out, they couldn't hear me. So, big win from there, and just build on it. Like I said, sense of urgency, what Coach [Jerod] Mayo is preaching. I think it starts with cleaning up from the game Sunday, cleaning up some little things that I think we could have ended up being a bigger margin of victory for us, especially offensively. The defense did about all they could. Scoring in the red zone and obviously my turnover, we've got to just keep on these little things that can kind of help build the complimentary football that Coach Mayo is preaching about. I think we've got another chance here at home. L.A.'s coming off a short week, so we've got to prepare for them. They're good up front on defense, so we're preparing for them.
Q: How important has Alex Van Pelt been to you this season? How much have you learned from him?
DM: Yeah, he's been huge. I think he's just a confidence booster for a quarterback. You love playing for an offensive coordinator like AVP [Alex Van Pelt]. He's positive, and also at the same time, he'll coach you hard. He's done it; he's played quarterback in this league and at a high level, so he knows what needs to be done and the tasks. He knows it's a tall task as well, which is pretty – him and T.C. [McCartney] both kind of have the quarterback minds, and Coach [Ben] McAdoo. So, those three all know what it's like, how hard it is to play quarterback in this league and give a lot of leeway, but at the same time, know what needs to be done.
Q: Do you think you're a lot better than you were April 28th or whenever the draft was?
DM: I think I'm working toward that. I think that's more of a perspective thing. I wouldn't say – for me, I'm just trying to build on every day. I think that's more of a thing for the outside crowd to say. I think I've come a long way within the system, learning the system, knowing what to do, knowing where guys line up, getting in and out of run checks and pass things. So, I think I wouldn't say better, I'd just say more comfortable. I think a lot of stuff is coming to tie together. I think I'm still a lot of the same player. The same plays that I've made in college I'm making today. So, I think just building on, getting more comfortable in this offense and just growing as a young adult.
Q: You were talking about AVP. What's it like when the film comes up of him in Pittsburgh when he was playing?
DM: Yeah, it's cool. He shows some of his guitar fakes, his play-action and a lot under center. He threw it well; he can throw the football. So, it's cool seeing – he doesn't throw very much anymore. I think he's only thrown one time this season. But seeing him do some of the same actions or throwing the same concepts is pretty cool. It's pretty neat sitting back there on some old, grainy film.
Q: Drake, what's the support been like from Jacoby [Brissett] since he took over as a starter? Was it at all difficult to find when to speak up as a leader knowing he's still a captain and still respected in the locker room?
DM: I think that's a good question. I think Jacoby's still a big-time leader on this football team. Especially, he's in my ear, and I don't know if you all see him on the sidelines, but it's basically like he's playing the game over there. He's yelling, yelling at me, yelling at the refs on the sidelines. So, he's very animated, and that's his personality. I think everybody respects him on this football team and has a lot of respect. See what he did in the Jets game, I think that even just raised the bar of him coming in after me being the starter, him coming in and getting a big time win at home. I think those guys just respect him. He's meant a lot to me as just a mentor, and just trying to learn everything I can. He's probably tired of me asking questions, but I think he enjoys it, and we enjoy being in the same room together.
Q: Drake, the virtual reality headsets were a bit of a storyline this summer. I was curious, how much did those help you before you actually got to play? Do you still use them now that you're actually out on the field?
DM: Yeah, they give some of the base concepts and some of the concepts we carry in week in, week out. A little bit of the two-minute stuff we have in some of the VR [virtual reality], but the VR has been a nice addition. I'm thankful to the Patriots organization for getting that and using that. I think it's something every week, just going back to the base stuff. Sometimes we can throw in the different team or the stadium we're playing in and get different looks, so it's pretty cool.
Q: Drake, what do you feel like you've learned about yourself over the past five starts that you've had? First five starts of your career.
DM: Learned about myself, I think just battling back from adversity. Adversity in times in the game, in times in this season. Starting the season, obviously, you plan on wanting to be the starter and handling adversity throughout the locker room or throughout just being on the football team. Then, handling adversity when I'm actually in there playing. So, just handling difficult times, bouncing back and knowing at this position that these guys look to me and know that I've kind of got to keep an upbeat mindset and an upbeat personality because these guys follow me, listen to me and respect me.
Q: Drake, I know you've mentioned as a football fan, getting to face guys like Aaron Rodgers. This week you get to face Matthew Stafford. Is he someone you follow as a kid and what does it mean to you to get to face him?
DM: Matt Stafford, I think back in the days watching the Lions, I feel like you always saw him play on Thanksgiving, and seeing him play is pretty cool with Thanksgiving coming up. So, anytime you play a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, a guy in this league who's done it a long time and played at a high level, it's cool to watch. I think I'll definitely take a moment and always try to watch warm-ups, see what they do or see how he's throwing it. I think that's kind of the coolest thing that I try to do. Other than that, just hopefully get a chance to meet him, and I respect his game. Hopefully, just get a chance to come out with a win against a big-time quarterback like that, it's always a pretty cool feeling.
Q: Drake, we asked Jerod Mayo about sliding and if that's going to be a point of emphasis. He joked that there might be a sliding period in practice today. Has that been conveyed to you at all from the coaching staff in terms of just working on sliding and things like that?
DM: Yeah, I wouldn't say working on it. I played baseball growing up, and I've slid. The one time I slid against the Jets, I got hit in the head. So, I think there's times and places for it. I think I definitely need to do a better job of getting down and taking care of my body, and I know that. I took one in the Bears game that was dumb in the third quarter. So, I'm mindful of it, and the coaches are doing a good job. T.C. [McCartney] does a good job of emphasizing it. So, I think it's kind of different when you're between the lines and you're trying to show your competitive side.
Q: Drake, you don't show a lot of frustration, I guess I would say, on the field. Is not letting your emotions get the best of you or not showing emotions something that comes naturally, or is that something you've worked on?
DM: Yeah, I think it's come naturally. Growing up, I was always kind of an even-keeled mindset. At the same time, I think showing frustration at times can be good for the offense and can kind of fire those guys up. So, kind of mixing and kind of feeling that out of when I could use that. Especially in practice, I think getting frustrated and showing, 'Hey, we need to pick it up,' sometimes can be good. So, I think just balancing that aspect of it and at the same time, remind those guys of pumping them up. I think everybody feels good when you get pumped up.
Q: People have talked about having short memory being beneficial during the games. Do you agree? If so, how do you manage to keep your memory short?
DM: Yeah, short memory. I think it's one of the biggest things for playing quarterback in this league. I think you see it over this past Sunday, Jared Goff, I think in his game, he had some turnovers and what he does to come back and lead that football team to a win. I think there's so many times throughout the season you see quarterbacks, especially at this level, that are handling adversity. It's a tough feeling going out there after throwing an interception, jogging back out there and throwing it again. So, I think it's something that's kind of brushed under the rug when you're facing a good defense. You go out there, make a bad play, have to run back out there, facing those same guys and have to throw it again. So, I think it's definitely having a short memory, like you said, and just trusting those guys around you. I think our team does a good job, especially the veterans. Jacoby has been great on the sideline with plays, and I think just bouncing back and seeing how you bounce back.
Q: The team released the mic'd up piece of you from the game the other day, and a significant percentage of it was you basically pumping up teammates and encouraging them during the game. Why is that important for you to sort of take time during game day to make sure that you're doing that for your teammates?
DM: Yeah, I think pregame is kind of checking in on the guys, see how they're feeling. I think I was saying a lot of the same things over and over in the mic'd up. So, I kind of try to keep it simple and don't try to bug anybody too much because everybody's kind of got their own thing on game day. But yeah, I think pumping them up, like I said, everybody feels good when you say, 'Hey, let's go,' 'Hey, nice play,' or 'Hey, great job up front.' I think little things like that can go a long way in being the leader on the offense and pumping those guys up.
Q: Did you end up going out to eat with your linemen? They caught you in the locker room saying, 'Let's go get something to eat tomorrow.'
DM: Yeah, we went to get something to eat. We got something to eat. What's today? Wednesday? We got something to eat Monday.
Q: Did you go anywhere good?
DM: Yeah, we went somewhere. We went somewhere good.
