Monday Patriots Notebook 3/25: News and Notes
(PHOTO: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports) 🕑 Read Time: 5 minutes
Posted Under: Patriots News
(PHOTO: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports) 🕑 Read Time: 5 minutes
New England Patriots > Patriots Blog
(PHOTO: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports) Some Patriots news and notes on this Monday:
Head coach Jerod Mayo took some time on Monday to talk to the New England media at the annual coach’s breakfast, addressing a variety of topics as he attempted to provide some “clarity” behind the team’s “strategy” that’s taken place so far for the New England Patriots this offseason.
One of the first things Mayo talked about was the fact he’s clearly heard the frustration when it comes to the fact the club didn’t make a big splash in free agency, explaining that they’ve tried to remain patient in their approach in what he said ‘wasn’t really a deep’ class of players available.
He also added that there aren’t any restrictions in place when it comes to ownership and their ability to sign a player, which was another topic of conversation that has played out on talk radio the last couple of weeks.
“The clarity I would begin with is free agency,” said Mayo. “Obviously, the media, the fans, everyone wants that big signing. But at the same time, as we continue to put this team together, I think there has to be a process. It has to be a methodical process. And look, when there is a guy that we want to get, the Kraft’s have already told us, they’ll spend the money. And I would say offensively this year, we were very picky as far as the players that we were getting, and at the same time, that wasn’t really a deep offensive free agent class to even make that kind of splash.”
“Now, with saying that, the draft is coming up. There will still be conversations as far as trades and things like that and guys will be released. So this is a process that’s going to go on all the way until after the draft.”
When asked if he was frustrated with not enough being available to them in free agency, Mayo admitted it was frustrating but noted that bringing back their own free agents was important.
He also pointed out that while a signing like the one that saw the Patriots bring back Mike Onwenu may not have seemed like a big deal, it’s more important than people realize.
“Yeah, it is frustrating,” said Mayo on free agency. “But at the same time, I think one of the number one priorities we had was to sign our players back. I think, it’s not a popular pick to sign an offensive lineman to a big deal, but at the same time, he’s a critical piece to our team.”
“Look, we want to take care of our own. I think that was the really the strategy going into it. We did have targets that we wanted, it just didn’t work out. But when it’s all said and done, we wanted guys that want to be a part of this process, want to be a part of the next chapter in New England history.”
Mayo’s “burn some cash” comment was something that’s gotten a lot of play as of late, but Mayo got burned with that one because he said it as one of his last comments as he was trying to end his interview that day on WEEI, with the coach likely attempting to make a funny anecdote as he tried to get back to work.
However, that comment took on a life of its own and it’s been used against him during the first portion of free agency.
When asked about it Monday, Mayo didn’t regret saying it, but added that being smart in terms of their spending is simply the priority.
“No, I don’t regret it,” said Mayo. “Look, I’m a first-year head coach. I didn’t mean, like, ‘burn some cash.’ I know we have a lot of cash to utilize, but we are going to utilize it the right way. We have to be very convicted when we do spend that cash but ownership’s done a good job just letting Eliot and I know that we have the cash to spend. Just try to spend it smart.”
Mayo was asked about receiver, offensive tackle, and obviously quarterback on Monday, with Mayo saying that they’ll consider every avenue ahead of next month’s draft, especially if another team makes an attractive enough offer that would be hard to resist.
“Honestly, those three positions that you just spoke of, I would say this draft has quite a few guys that can fill those roles,” said Mayo. “Look, we sit at a very enviable spot at #3 where we could take someone at #3, or if someone offers a bag, as we would say, a lot of first-round picks, we definitely have to talk about those things as we continue to put together this team. You said it, there are holes on this team, but I would also say there will be people available going forward to fill those holes.”
Mayo also added that if they do take a QB at three, it has to be a player they believe can really be the future. He also added that if they add more picks, that also increases their chances in adding pieces they might hit on.
“Look, once again, if we take a quarterback at three, that means that we are convicted that this player is really the future of this organization,” said Mayo. “And going back to your point that we kind of said earlier, there are multiple pieces on this team as a whole, we want to fill those holes. So if you can gather more picks, that definitely helps you out. I can put more chips on the table – probably shouldn’t have done a gambling reference right there – but the more picks that you really have, the more likelihood you have to really hit them.”
One comment that Mayo made on Monday was the fact that the “unknown” played a factor in the club attracting free agents.
With no quarterback, a first-year head coach, and no guarantees when it comes to both who they draft and how that player might ultimately fare, it felt like free agents may have avoided coming to New England, opting for what they may have felt were better situations.
Mayo more or less confirmed that Monday, based on one comment when asked ” if there were any commonalities” that he felt were behind their struggles to attract players.
“I would say there were various reasons why guys didn’t sign with us,” said Mayo. “Once again, the unknown is scary for a lot of people and I would say, even in our building right now, it’s still unknown. Like, will I be a good head coach? I don’t know, hopefully. I think I can be. Will Eliot be a good GM or whatever he is in his role? I don’t know, we’ll see what happens with that.”
“But look, it’s going to be a process, and once again, you guys, even sitting around this table, there will be times that you have to ask me hard questions. Like right now, we’re 0-0. We’re still in the honeymoon phase. You guys are throwing up these softballs, but I understand what I’m getting myself into as we continue to go down this trail.”
Mayo said on Monday that the club has had talks with Christian Barmore about potentially extending him, albeit, he wouldn’t provide details. “We want to keep our own players and we have had talks with Barmore, and hopefully, it works out.” … Mayo was also asked about the legal situation that continues playing out with receiver Kayshon Boutte, which he said the club is continuing to monitor. However, Mayo also said that Boutte is still a young player, and they’re hoping they can work through it. “It’s easy to just throw them away,” explained Mayo. “But there are certain instances where you’re like, ‘Alright, I can help this guy out.’ And I feel like we have a good player development group there that will definitely help us going forward.”… The club is also hopeful they can keep Matthew Judon in the fold. “We want to keep him, but that’s more of a question for Eliot [Wolf],” said Mayo. “But those conversations have started. We know that he’s still a premier rusher in this league, but as we continue to go forward, we want him to be a piece of the puzzle.” … Mike Reiss reported on Sunday that there’s been no talk with free agent defensive back Myles Bryant. Reiss reports that “The Patriots would be open to bringing him back on a salary that reflects him more as a depth player than key cog, but there’s been no alignment to date.”
SITE SEARCH
I like the approach and the results so far. I think they take 2 QB’s, Zappe can go, please. There will be a trade for WR and 1 other drafted high. Tackles and TE mid-round.
More advanced play calling will only help. Pats idea of mixing it up was, dump to a back 10 yards deep or throw in a trick play and both lose yards, stalling drives. Tired of slam it up the middle for 2, off tackle for 3. Can’t figure out anything better? Hopefully these coaches actually bring something to the table.
,