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(PHOTO: Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK) Some Patriots News and notes for this morning:
It’s been interesting to hear the reactions following New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo’s press conference on Monday, and at the rate things are going, it’s likely that he’ll sound quite differently in the coming months.
The transparency that Mayo’s attempted to provide is coming back to bite him, as the local media spent most of Monday afternoon dissecting his answers.
Coming off a frustrating two weeks of free agency, Mayo’s goal on Monday was likely to ease people’s minds and also provide some “clarity” – a word he used to open his press conference – into their plan to try and calm the masses.
Instead, he seemingly generated frustration among those who don’t seem to understand the end game. The discussion yesterday centered on the fact that Mayo talked about potentially taking a player at #3 overall, while not necessarily tipping their hand as to who that might be. He also complicated things further after he said should another club come to them with a significant enough deal to trade out, they’ll have to consider it.
“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 on the pressure of trying to find a left tackle, receiver, and a QB next month. “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.”
That left some frustrated about Mayo not really providing any “clarity” on their plans next month, given that he didn’t make it clear if they were planning to take a player or make a trade. However, it was essentially just a less-terse non-answer, which obviously everyone was used to with former coach, Bill Belichick.
“We’ll look at our options and do what we think is best for the football team,” would likely have been the more likely answer to that question from Belichick
Michael Felger was out on Monday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, but while Adam Jones had his thoughts, Christian Arcand on Jones and Mego on WEEI was probably the most vocal about it.
“I think Mayo, and I’ve thought basically this since he started, it’s like he can’t stop,” said Arcand. “It’s like he can’t stop answering the question. He won’t stop answering the question until he’s answered it every possible way that you could answer a question. And I think that’s really frustrating some people right now because you’re in a situation here where you have a very high draft pick, the weight of the world, and the franchise is all on the shoulders of these people here, and instead of giving you some kind of idea of what they’re thinking, he just says everything.”
Arcand is a smart guy, so he has to know they obviously can’t reveal their plans. At the same time, Mayo’s clearly not media savvy at this point, and his attempts to please the masses is likely going to cause him to realize it may be more trouble than its worth.
As Tony Masserotti also pointed out, yesterday’s setting was different than most press conferences. Mayo was seated at a table surrounded by reporters and couldn’t “control the room,” which is something that is usually easier had he been standing at the podium.
However, Patriots PR man Stacey James pays attention to what’s being said and it’s likely they’re hearing all of this internally. As a result, it will be interesting to see how Mayo is with the media months from now, given the backlash he’s faced so far in what little he’s offered up.
One would have to believe that the “clarity” he’s trying to offer – and there were additional moments where he gave insight to various player situations and the “fear of the unknown comment” with free agency he made Monday – will likely become something that happens less often.
That would be unfortunate, as there were bits that he did provide that wouldn’t have been offered had Belichick still been here. But how long that lasts remains to be seen.
Tom Pelissero reported on Monday that the Washington Commanders could have their eyes set on Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.
“When I’ve had conversations here, with executives from other teams who know (Commanders GM) Adam Peters well, know the situation well, the most popular answer for what they do at No. 2 is J.J. McCarthy,” said Pelissero on NFL Network Monday via NBC Sports Boston. “So a lot of drama still to come.”
If that’s the case, it certainly increases the chances that the Patriots – if they are indeed sold on Drake Maye – would be able to land their potential quarterback of the future.
However, New England is also reportedly high on the former Michigan standout, which could potentially remove a player they’re still evaluating from the equation.
The next question would then be whether or not they’re sold enough on Maye, who is said to be a prospect who isn’t necessarily immediately NFL-ready and still has a lot of development left.
Mayo said yesterday that, “I’m pretty sure all three of them will be in,” referring to Maye, Daniels, and McCarthy when the club plans out its 30 visits.
The league took a step forward when it comes to player safety on Monday, with NFL owners reportedly approving a rule proposal to ban the swivel hip-drop tackle.
It’s a play where the defender either grabs or wraps up a player and “unweights himself by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body, landing on and trapping the runner’s leg(s) at or below the knee.”
If it’s called, the team whose player committed the infraction will receive a 15-yard penalty, although ESPN reports that it’s more likely to be enforced similarly to the “use of helmet” rule. That would instead result in a letter the following week after a game, as well as a potential fine.
Patriots fans experienced a significant impact from a hip-drop tackle, which ended up potentially costing them a Super Bowl in 2011. In the AFC Championship game, Ravens linebacker Benard Pollard executed that tackle on tight end Rob Gronkowski, wrapping him up from behind and dropping his weight, with his body landing squarely onto Gronkowski’s legs.
The injury happened following a 23-yard gain in the fourth quarter, which was a play that put them in Ravens territory. It helped set up New England’s go-ahead touchdown, giving the Patriots a 23-20 edge that they held onto and advanced to the Super Bowl.
However, that play knocked Gronkowski from the game and he suffered a significant ankle sprain as a result.
That ended up being a serious blow for New England, as it impeded Gronkowski against the Giants two weeks later in the Super Bowl and absolutely played a key role as the Patriots lost 21-17.
It’s obviously tough on defenders, but as some analysts have pointed out, a lot of the complaints defensive players are making were also made when the NFL enforced the horse-collar tackle, which was another dangerous play.
For now, it appears the league will probably make any ruling the following week after reviewing film and figuring out what is/isn’t acceptable before they levy a penalty.
That will probably create some grey area as they figure it out, but at least it might see players, and possibly marquee names – which is why many casual fans follow the NFL – avoid significant or even season/career-altering injuries.
Former Patriots running back Damien Harris announced his retirement on Instagram on Monday, ending his NFL career. The former 3rd round pick by the Patriots in 2019 ended up being a solid contributor for New England, before the club ultimately shifted the offense in favor of Rhamondre Stevenson. Harris departed to the Bills in free agency in 2023. “Today, I am grateful I have found the strength to walk away from the game I love so much,” wrote Harris, while also later praising former coach, Bill Belichick. “Being coached by the 2 greatest head coaches of all time in Nick Saban and Bill Belichick are all just a small part of what God has done in my life with the game of football.” Best of luck to him as he moves on to whatever is next. … Mike Reiss reported on Sunday that there had been no talk with free agent defensive back Myles Bryant, and Monday provided some clarity there as Bryant signed with the Houston Texans. Bryant provided some pretty good depth both in the secondary and on special teams, filling in admirably despite his struggles. However, that news means he’s now no longer part of the equation heading into 2024. … Mayo talked about quarterback Jacoby Brissett on Monday, praising him for what he believes will be a player who helps them not only on the field, but also off of it. “Anytime you can get a player that is also a coach, it’s beneficial,” said Mayo. “He’s going to help as far as the installs and things like that. And look, he has the tools to be a good quarterback. So, look forward to working with him.”
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One quibble: Arcand is ANTHING but a smart guy. Arcand makes idiots look like smart guys.