HEAD COACH JEROD MAYO
PRESS CONFERENCE
October 23, 2024
JM: Good morning. Like I always tell you guys, I always take this opportunity to speak with you guys really with the understanding that I'm talking to the players, right? I'm talking to the players. Obviously, there are things where I'm talking to the fans as well, but the message for those guys is it's all about the Jets, and we're moving forward. Obviously, there's a lot of noise out there, and I said, 'We are what our record is, and we have to get better.' That ultimately is my responsibility, and look, I take all the blame, and it's fine. It's moving on to the Jets.
Q: With that said, your message to the guys, what kind of responsibility do you feel you need to take this week with this team because of where they're at and all this noise that's kind of around?
JM: Yeah, just continue to use this as an opportunity to get closer as a unit. It's not the first time that any of those men in there have had to deal with adversity, myself included. It's a time for us to get closer while everything around you gets louder, and hopefully, we go out there and get a victory.
Q: Is it harder for you to talk to your team now than it was at the start of the season or after the Bengals game?
JM: Not at all. Look, during a time of peace, I always tell those guys, 'Remember what we say on day one when we get to day 100.' I think consistency, especially in a leadership role, is definitely important. For me, we get to Wednesday, at this point in time, we've always changed the page – win, lose, or draw. That's always been my mindset, and that's my message to the team.
Q: Coach, as someone who's always been a vocal leader on this team, both as a player and as a coach, on the broadcast, it seems like you're more standing on the sidelines. Have there been any thoughts of maybe engaging more with the players? I know everyone's got different styles, but in terms of your approach?
JM: I do engage with the players. I engage with the defense, and I would say I also have a headset where I'm flipping through channels talking to the coordinators. There have been times where I've brought those guys up, and there have been times where I've let the coordinators or position coach do their thing, even though we've talked about it on the headset.
Q: Has there been any consideration of you taking more ownership of the defense?
JM: Look, DeMarcus [Covington] is our defensive coordinator. Look, I have ownership of the defense, the offense and special teams. That's how I look at it. Those guys are coordinators, but once again, ultimately, it falls on me.
Q: Did you say anything more to the guys in light of your comments on Sunday that they were playing soft right now?
JM: Look, we're on to the Jets today. We've had those conversations. I've always looked at that as an opportunity to go out there and prove everyone wrong. Once again, going back to a chip on your shoulder, we've all had those chips on our shoulders at times that have gotten us through. So, this is no different. Obviously, once again, we are struggling as a team. Our record is what it is. It's about what we can do to get better.
Q: What's the player reaction been to those comments, whether it was after the game, or I know on the radio you mentioned it?
JM: Look, after the game, we're all disappointed. On a long plane ride home, we're all disappointed. Again, it's about getting to Wednesday so we can now focus on the next target. The guys have good juice. We're expecting a good practice, and we'll see how it looks on Sunday.
Q: Would you want a reaction out of them? In some ways, would you want them to get mad, for instance? Were you trying to do that with some of those comments?
JM: Look, I'm just telling you, when I talk after games, it's about what I see out there on the field at that current time. In saying that, the guys are preparing like it's any other week, and we're talking about the Jets.
Q: Are you concerned at all about your message getting through to the guys, whether it be setting edges and struggling to do that for weeks or not? Hey, we've got to stop the run. Five weeks in a row, 120-plus yards a game, 170 the last three-plus. Are you concerned it's not getting through?
JM: I'm always concerned about our team. That comes with the responsibility of being the head coach. I would say if we were sitting here at 6-1, I still would be concerned with a lot of different aspects. So, I look at it the same way.
Q: How different is this challenge Sunday, now that they have Davante Adams on the Jets?
JM: He's a good player, obviously has a great rapport with the quarterback. Another week, his second week having him, I expect him to be more involved, even though he was involved the first game.
Q: Going back to the playing soft comments, I know you said you're not coaching players to do that. What are you going to do this week to prevent that from happening again?
JM: Look, all the guys understand we've had our conversations. It's on to the Jets, and that's what we're going to do. We're just going to go out there and play good football. That's what we need to do in all three phases of the game.
Q: Would that involve any kind of changes on the practice field or in meetings?
JM: We always try new things during practice, even going back to training camp. You always look for things that get responses from your players. We're going to go out there… Wednesday has always been a work day for us, and I expect that to continue today.
Q: You've had a really hard time stopping the run as a defense. What have you seen on film, as a defensive guy, that you think you can change to get it right?
JM: I would say the last few weeks, you look at one game, it's the three big runs. Then you look at this past game, and it's the 4-yard, 5-yard, 4-yard, 6-yard, just the continuous, slow bleed. We have to do a better job getting off blocks and going out there and tackling the ball carrier. Again, it's a huge opportunity this week to kind of get back on track.
Q: Do you consider you guys still a two-gapping defense?
JM: I would say if you go back and watch film over the last five or 10 years, there are times when you are in a two-gap mentality, but there are also times when you're in a one-gap mentality. That goes back to the game planning.
Q: So, the reason I ask is I'm wondering if when there are issues like the issues you guys had this past week or a couple weeks back – I think the last three weeks it's been 185 yards on the ground. Do you have to think about changing philosophically what you guys do in order to adjust? Because you have that personnel movement. You're missing some players. Does that change how you have to handle things philosophically?
JM: Look, the players that we have in that locker room right now are the players that are capable and have done – throughout the season – done a good job against the run. Once again, it's about just on a down after down after down basis. I tell the players, no matter what, special teams, offense or defense, I don't have a crystal ball. I don't know what play it's going to be, but we just need to be sound on every play.
Q: What have you seen from the run game, maybe why they've been struggling recently?
JM: There are different factors. I wish I could get up here and just tell you it's one thing. It's not. I mean, we need to be a balanced offense. That's what we need to do, and here against the Jets, hopefully we get that balance that we need.
Q: You mentioned the noise at the beginning when you started talking. Are you disappointed at all that Bill [Belichick] has been vocal and has taken, it feels like, some shots with this process?
JM: Look, like I said, my main focus is the guys inside of this building, not only the players, but also the coaches and the rest of the staff. Look, as soon as we turn this thing around, then we'll be okay. It comes down to wins and losses. That's what it comes down to, and that's what you're ultimately judged by.
Q: Also, in regard to the noise, do you feel compelled to talk to the team about social media or make any changes?
JM: For me, it is what it is. If you're winning games, there will be noise. I mean, we've done this for a long time. It's very cyclical. Sometimes narratives are already written; it's about just the different cast of characters. What I would say is we know that the only people that can go out there and win football games are not the media. It's not your mom calling you, telling you to do X, Y, and Z or someone at the grocery store. No, it's about the guys that are in this building.
Q: Does Ja'Lynn Polk have a concussion?
JM: He's in the protocol.
Q: Would you think about – hurt or not with Ja'Lynn Polk – does he have to see his workload reduced in your opinion? Does he look like a guy, to you, that just needs a little time away to get himself right?
JM: As he goes through the protocol, we'll address it at that point. Thanks.
QUARTERBACK DRAKE MAYE
PRESS CONFERENCE
October 23, 2024
Q: From your first start to your second start, what kind of growth did you see? What kind of things do you feel like you need to work on as you continue to try to get better and better as a starting quarterback?
DM: Yeah, the big thing is we started fast. I think, you know, put two good drives together. My first start, I think it was a three-and-out, and then the second one was maybe another three-and-out. So, started fast and felt more comfortable under center that first snap than the first time, and got the nerves out of me. So, I'm feeling more comfortable back there, more comfortable in the huddle, play calls and little things like that, little things that you don't see on the field. Felt more comfortable in the huddle, felt like I was bringing some more energy to the start of the game. From there, I think protecting the football, that's the big thing. Then, you turn the ball over and got some plays which I wish I had back, make better throws, even in the last game that it could maybe be a difference in the ball game. At the same time, I think we did some good things, just didn't sustain it long enough and put drives together, especially in that second quarter.
Q: Drake, when you see a player like Ja'Lynn Polk, who's obviously a rookie like you, you've probably developed a relationship with him in that vein, but struggling a little bit, catching the ball and securing it. How do you approach that as a quarterback?
DM: Yeah, I think just pump him up. I think that's the biggest thing you can do, especially a guy coming in the same class. I'm the first round, he's the second round pick. We built a connection early during camp and during the summer, I felt like we had it going. I think just still finding it, still working together. So it's only our second game out there together, and I feel like we've left some plays out there, both ball placement-wise, and I'm sure he'd like to have some plays back himself. I think it's just building the camaraderie, and I think we're going to get there. I don't think it's a matter of if, I think it's a matter of when.
Q: What's the level of precision that you're seeing right now in the passing game in terms of the routes that are being run, et cetera, spacing, et cetera, in your comfort with saying, 'you know what, that was wrong, you need to do X, Y, or Z?'
DM: Yeah, I think I'm getting there, especially preaching what AVP [Alex Van Pelt] preaches, and doing the little things. You know, some of the 'for the love of the game' routes of spacing and making sure you have a clear route to get somebody else open. I think we're kind of feeling that out. We've got a young team in the receiver room. The tight ends got a better understanding of, they've been in a lot of different concepts in the offenses. I think the young guys are starting to figure it out. I think here you're going to see a click, and I think we've got some talent on offense. I'm looking forward to seeing when that happens.
Q: What's the 'for the love of the game' route?
DM: Yeah, if you're running a clear route on a dagger concept, you've got a clear route where you're just taking out, two high, taking out the safeties for the dig, coming out for your friend to come catch a dagger concept. For the love of the game, you're just hauling butt. You're basically not really expecting the football, just expecting to get your friend open.
Q: Scott Chadwick mentioned that back in high school, you used to go to the sideline and check the stats to make sure different guys got the ball. Is that a mentality you still have, and why is it important for you to make sure that different guys are getting the ball?
DM: Yeah, I think it's a big deal. At the same time, it's also something that I keep in mind of getting guys the football. Especially in one-on-one scenarios, we have different guys that make plays. At the same time, right now I'm just trying to do my part in the offense and not try to worry about that as much. I think there's definitely times in games where I'm going to tell you, 'hey, if you're one-on-one next time, I'm coming your way.' I told KB [Kendrick Bourne] that later in the game that I need to give him some more chances. He's a good player for us. So, little things like that, I care about. But, the guys want the football and I try to feed them all. That's the best thing. But at the same time, everybody is going to want the ball more than probably they're going to get. So you've got to balance that aspect.
Q: Drake, there was a clip on social media this morning. Dan Orlovsky of ESPN was breaking down your game. He showed a play where he was highlighting really good footwork, base. He was really praising how far you've come along in such a short amount of time in terms of footwork. Do you feel like that you've come a long way with your footwork, and when you watch yourself now, compared to how you were in college, you're like, 'Wow the work you've put in is really starting to pay off?'
DM: Yeah, I think it's a credit to the coaches here, AVP and T.C. [T.C. McCartney]. They've really hammered it home. At the same time, I think some things where some different drops that I'm taking now weren't really asked of me in college. Some of these five-step under-center play actions, we didn't do much of those. So it probably really didn't give me a chance to show off some of the footwork stuff. There's two ways to look at it. But, credit to these guys here. I think we're still working on things throughout the week. T.C. puts it up on the board, little things throughout the week that I keep in mind. I feel comfortable back there. Maybe scrambled into one sack late in the game. I told Big Mike [Onwenu] that was my fault. But, other than that, I feel good back there. I feel like I'm seeing it well. Just I'm going to continue to get some reps.
Q: Before we go back to the Polk stuff, I'm curious, what's the challenge like as a rookie who wants to be deferential to the older guys, Hunter [Henry], Mike Onwenu, even Rhamondre [Stevenson], against being a guy who's a leader, being a guy who's a forward-facing position? What's that challenge like for you trying to strike that balance?
DM: Yeah, I think, what are you really asking?
Q: Well, in terms of you want to be deferential as a rookie, as a first-year guy. But you have a lot of veterans, you're surrounded by a lot of veterans. How do you strike that balance trying to be a leader in a leadership role as a quarterback?
DM: Yeah, I think that's a good point. I think it goes back to just building relationships with different guys. That's my approach to it. Really get to know them and see where we relate. I think me and JP [Ja'Lynn Polk] relate with we've both been working football nonstop since the end of the college season. Sometimes, all the vets talk about the rookie wall you hit, and just continue to get over that hump, find each and everyday ways to be excited about coming here and playing football and playing in the NFL. I think going back to that, and looking at the bigger picture with JP and Bake [Javon Baker] and those young guys, and even Jaheim [Bell]. I think that's a reminder of this is what we dreamed of, and the dream doesn't stop now. I think of just getting back to work. With those older guys, just picking up bits and pieces that I can carry into those young guys what can help us. I think that's kind of my approach to it. Hunter and DA [David Andrews] and some of those guys are stuff I'm picking up every day with Jacoby [Brissett] in the quarterback room.
Q: Drake, you said the tight ends might have a better understanding of the offense right now. Do you think that's one reason why you're targeting Hunter Henry so much, because you've built a connection with Hunter Henry so well?
DM: Yeah, I wouldn't say they have a better understanding. I think the receivers, they have a great understanding. I think just Hunter and them see more reps of different things that, whether it's safety, linebackers, or coverages can do. Hunter and Hoop [Austin Hooper] have spent, I don't know, combined, probably 17 plus or almost 20 years in the NFL. You can see the vet experience in that room of their feel for space and their feel for, 'hey, this guy's playing a man' versus those young guys. I think they're feeling it out. And JP may be saying, 'hey, it's a man. I'm working my route.' And little things like that, or Pop [DeMario Douglas]. So I don't really understand things. It's just kind of the reps of getting it. I think that's something they continue to find. And as the weeks go on, you'll see that improve.
Q: Drake, Hunter mentioned that he feels like he needs juice and energy this week. Is that something you feel like you need to bring to the locker room?
DM: I think as a quarterback, I think I need to bring it every day. Every day, that's my responsibility that comes with playing a position, bringing juice and being the guy that somebody looked to, 'hey, if Drake's down,' that's the quarterback of the football team, I think it's every day I need to bring juice. That's kind of my personality anyway.
