[McKenna] How Mac Jones is Defined by Three Things in His Locker

[ctpatsfan77]

You've probably heard about one of the three, and heard of at least one of the others.

How Mac Jones is defined by three things in his locker | FOX Sports

A picture and two poems. Those three things in Mac Jones' locker say a lot about the Patriots' sophomore QB, writes Henry McKenna.

www.foxsports.com

Jones isn't a patient young man.

To say it more tactfully, he possesses a rare urgency to overcome obstacles. When he joined the Patriots, Jones didn't want to be the backup, so he seized the job from incumbent starter Cam Newton. When Jones got the starting job, he remained hungry to learn more — ravenous to win more. So the Patriots finished 10-7. He was hard on himself after losses, often publicly tearing into himself in postgame press conferences. And in the locker room with his teammates, he did the same thing, with veterans occasionally picking him back up. He isn't easily satisfied.

 

[Triumph]

The story is embellished some.

Jones had help seizing the Pats QB job. Cam missed camp because of Covid. His 2nd time as a NE Patriot.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

The story is embellished some.

Jones had help seizing the Pats QB job. Cam missed camp because of Covid. His 2nd time as a NE Patriot.

Yes, but Cam being out didn't cause Jones to go 35/40 against the Giants in one of those practices. . . .

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

Yes, but Cam being out didn't cause Jones to go 35/40 against the Giants in one of those practices. . . .

That and the obvious that Cam was toast

 

[ctpatsfan77]

That and the obvious that Cam was toast

I think that a large percentage of us—maybe even the majority—expected that they would start Cam in Week 1 with Mac taking over somewhere mid-season.

 

[Ian]

I think that a large percentage of us—maybe even the majority—expected that they would start Cam in Week 1 with Mac taking over somewhere mid-season.

Jones' ability to process and handle everything the coaches kept piling on him is what turned the tables. I think the coaching staff expected the same thing until Jones kept exceeding expectations while Belichick and McDaniels were aware of Newton's limitations. As soon as it was clear Jones could handle everything, that was the beginning of the end for Newton, who - his absence aside - was inconsistent throughout camp. Jones, even with his big performances, was the same guy every day, and that consistency, along with his ability to process everything as fast as he did, is how he "seized" it.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

I think that a large percentage of us—maybe even the majority—expected that they would start Cam in Week 1 with Mac taking over somewhere mid-season.

Most did although I had Jones winning before the summer started. Not that I like to say I told you so.

 

[oldrover]

How Mac Jones is Defined by Three Things in His Locker​

Was one of them something from Trump?

 

[Triumph]

Yes, but Cam being out didn't cause Jones to go 35/40 against the Giants in one of those practices. . . .

BB had pretty much had enough after Cam had to go through Covid protocol twice.

There would be no 3rd time.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

That and the obvious that Cam was toast

I thought so also
I was depressed thinking that Cam would start even after watching his noodle arm the year before
I figured Mac would have a learning curve and BB would not throw him to the wolves
Was thrilled when Mac just took off running

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Does this mean that Mac will step up in the pocket instead of running backwards into a sack?

 

[RobertWeathers]

Does this mean that Mac will step up in the pocket instead of running backwards into a sack?

Yes

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Yes

Mac is allowed to run around this year, and it is curious his instinct was to run backwards. No idea why. Seems like the opposite of everything he was taught. Hoping he has learned and that is out of his system.

 

[203Pat]

That is an awful lot of fluff to say he has a picture from the beating against the Bills last year and two poems in his locker.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Mac is allowed to run around this year, and it is curious his instinct was to run backwards. No idea why. Seems like the opposite of everything he was taught. Hoping he has learned and that is out of his system.

I agree. There was a little needless backpedaling going on as a rook. I notch that to a college -level habit.

Needs to learn better pocket awareness and how to slide around.

Taking a hit while delivering the football is not a concern of mine.

 

[Hyped]

I agree. There was a little needless backpedaling going on as a rook. I notch that to a college -level habit.

Needs to learn better pocket awareness and how to slide around.

Taking a hit while delivering the football is not a concern of mine.

Still...better to not take hits if you can help it....Jones took some nasty hits last year that made me cringe.

I'd like to see him toss the ball to the feet of Jonnu Smith/Rham if there's nothing there...or even OOB...live to take the next snap. Been watching some 2021 games on tape...and man...so many 2nd and shorts became 3rd and longs.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I agree. There was a little needless backpedaling going on as a rook. I notch that to a college -level habit.

Needs to learn better pocket awareness and how to slide around.

Taking a hit while delivering the football is not a concern of mine.

It is the only thing that worries me. The OL might not be the best ever but they will be OK. The TEs are great, the RBs are great, the wide receivers are above average. But will Mac mature enough in his 2nd year? Brady did, J Allen didn't.