Patriots HC Jerod Mayo

PATRIOTS HEAD COACH JEROD MAYO

PRESS CONFERENCE

October 18, 2024

 

 

JM: I’m excited to be here. First of all, the international games have always been exciting for the guys, and I think it’s a good way for us to break up the season a little bit. The guys are working hard. They’re going to go on the field here in about 20 minutes, and I’m looking forward to putting a full game together. Fire away.

 

Q: (On his own memories of playing in London…)

 

JM: We approached it like a business trip, but at the same time, it was good to get the victory. I vividly remember after the game; we had a good time as a team. It’s another way for us to build camaraderie, to go out there together and get a victory, so it’s good.

 

Q: Jerod, last year when you guys went to Germany, I believe Robert Kraft kind of gave a speech to the team and impressed to the team about the importance of these international games. Has there been a similar message for this game this year?

 

JM: It’s always a message, and I would say just as a fan of the game, I think it’s outstanding to grow the popularity of the sport. Obviously, it’s the most watched sport in our states, and we’re trying to do the same in other countries, so it is important.

 

Q: My question is if you see any disadvantage coming Thursday instead of Jacksonville that has been here from the last week?

 

JM: Not really. When it’s all said and done, it’s about who has the most energy and who goes out there and executes their game plan. So, I don’t see it as an advantage or a disadvantage. I think whoever executes the best will win.

 

Q: Any sort of medical updates on Rhamondre [Stevenson]? I know that in the past you’ve expressed a great deal of confidence and adaptability. How do you feel about him and maybe the rest of the backline?

 

JM: Yeah, we’ll see today, but he is getting closer, so it’ll probably be a gametime decision.

 

Q: Coach, your team had a lot more life on offense last week, which I know a lot of Patriots fans will be very happy to see, even though Drake [Maye] took a lot of hits. What is the mood like within the team this week going up against this particular Jags [Jaguars] team?

 

JM: The mood is good. We changed the page from the last game. We took out some of the positives and corrected the bad plays. We’re looking for progress. We talk about it all the time, and it starts Sunday.

 

Q: Jerod, earlier this week you mentioned that Mike Onwenu could slide out back at tackle. Is that something that’s been in practice this week? Is that something that’s under even more consideration for this weekend?

 

JM: I don’t want to get into where he’s going to line up, but I would say – and I’ve always said this – he’s a very versatile player. So, whether it’s at guard or at tackle, he’s able to function and to function at a high level.

 

Q: Jerod, I want to ask you about two of your linebackers – a linebacker yourself – in Raekwon McMillan and Jahlani Tavai, both your leading tacklers this season. McMillan last year was injured; Tavai is projected to have his second-best season in terms of tackles. How impressed have you been, as a fellow linebacker yourself, with these two players in particular on your defense?

 

JM: Yeah, they both have done a good job. The stats are the stats. I would say, just the communication on the field, those guys are really taking a step forward. Even in saying that, I’ve challenged them this week to get even better. We need more out of that group, and I look forward to seeing that on Sunday.

 

Q: Hey, Jerod. You mentioned being sleep-deprived. Do you have to handle practice in a different way knowing –

 

JM: No, are you sleep-deprived? I’m not; I’m not at all. Look, I have energy, I have juice, and I would say the players do, too. We flew out here; we landed this morning. A lot of those guys slept on the plane, and they have an opportunity to get their energy up through the rest of the day and get ready for [Sunday].

 

Q: A couple days ago, Drake landed on the injury report as a full participant with his knee. Was that a residual from the game, and what is your level of concern with him?

 

JM: I’m not sure if it was a residual from the game or not. What I will say is he looks good. He’s been out there at practice and taking the majority of the reps.

 

Q: Drake’s second week of practice, preparing for a starter, what type of changes have you seen in him, or even just growth, entering what’s probably a more comfortable level here?

 

JM: Yeah, he’s definitely confident. He’s confident in the way he’s running the huddle, confident going out there, making plays and still continuing to build that chemistry with the receivers, the tight ends and the backs. So he’s been good, and he understands that every week, he has to do better.

 

Q: Hi, Coach. As a full-time player who’s actually done international games, what advice would you give to your players to help them to get ready for this weekend?

 

JM: Really, just don’t sit in your room all day and go to sleep. Get outside and let the sun – well, the sun just came out here; I feel like it’s always cloudy here. But get outside, walk around and just get your energy ready for the game.

 

Q: Jerod, I saw you use the word ‘focus’ during the week, just about penalties, making mistakes. What are you learning as a head coach that you can do to affect players to kind of get that more where you want it to be and start reducing the number of penalties?

 

JM: Yeah, one thing I would say, the penalties come down to focus the majority of the time, and then the lack of technique. What I will say is the first four weeks of the season, we were first in the NFL as far as the least penalized team. The last two weeks, there have been, obviously, disappointing games in that regard, but we’ve got to get back to what we started the season doing.

 

Q: Hi, Coach. Just wondering if you’re a history buff at all or if you’re a fan of Winston Churchill. He’s one of the most famous alums of the Harrow School school.

 

JM: Yeah, I’m definitely a big history guy. I would also say I just learned that there was a Harry Potter scene shot here as well, which I thought was pretty interesting.

 

Q: Jerod, did Drake have an MRI, and if so, was he in pain? What would cause to send him for an MRI?

 

JM: I’m not going to get into any of the medical imaging or anything like that. What I will say is that I’m confident that he will be ready to play.

 

Q: But was it bothering him?

 

JM: You have to ask him that.

 

Q: What are some of the most significant challenges coming from abroad and playing in the U.K. in such a short period of time?

 

JM: We approach it just like we do a West Coast game. Obviously, we’re going in the opposite direction, but it’s an away game. It’s an away game for us, and that’s how we approach it.

 

Q: Just as far as today’s practice, your typical walkthrough, is this the usual Friday practice? How will it differ, if at all, from what you would have done?

 

JM: This will be the usual Friday practice for us. So, very punchy and looking for a great communication to execution, not as long as the, let’s say, the Wednesday and Thursday practice. So, typical Friday.

 

Q: Jerod, Vederian Lowe was downgraded to out, I guess, yesterday. What sort of a challenge has it been for you guys to be able to get some consistency and continuity at that left tackle position?

 

JM: It’s been tough, and I would say not only the left tackle position, just across the offensive line in general. I feel like we’ve been talking about this since training camp, and we continually do, whether it’s replacing someone because of injury or lack of performance. We still are kind of shuffling the deck, so it’s definitely been challenging. In saying that, all the guys have to be ready to play, no matter what position we’re talking about. Drake does a good job extending plays as well, so we’re look forward to seeing that.

 

Q: Coach, there are a lot of new NFL fans here in the U.K., especially this season, who have yet to find a team to devote the rest of their lives to. What better ambassador than yourself for the Patriots? Why should new fans pick your team to support and follow for the rest of their lives?

 

JM: Yeah, one thing I would say is that we’re hitting the reset button and looking forward to building something special. Building the next dynasty, and it starts with, obviously, through the draft and developing, but also through free agency. We look to get back on top here pretty soon.

 

Q: Jerod, I know you’ve been consistent with that you can’t win a lot of games if you only score 21 points. Do you have a defensive counterpart in your mind – other than a shutout, obviously – but do you have a plan, a number in mind, something that you expect or you tell your defense in a similar way?

 

JM: Three points. No, in all seriousness, I would say, as soon as we get the lead, the only absolute in football, at least defensively, is if they don’t score, they don’t win. That’s the mentality that we take defensively.

 

Q: Have you seen Layden Robinson continue to develop and practice for the last couple of weeks when he’s been on the bench?

 

JM: Yeah, the first thing I would say is Layden is one of the hardest practicing guys on the team. He always shows tremendous effort. Sometimes, you hit a wall, and he’s gone through that wall, and he’ll play tomorrow. He’s a very tough player, and I look forward to his future as well.

 

 

 

 

 

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