TRANSCRIPT: Jerod Mayo Press Conference 8/19

Here’s the full transcript of New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo’s press conference for Monday August 19, 2024:

OPENING STATEMENT:

” Look, excited to have the guys back out here, still working hard, still out here competing. I know you guys probably wonder who’s going to play in the game. Everyone that’s healthy is going to play in the game. Not sure what Washington is going to do, but it really doesn’t matter. It’s what we need to do, what we need as a team.”

On if he’s noticed a difference in Drake Maye since the Eagles game and if so, what is that attributed to?

“I mean, it’s attributed, first of all, to his hard work and dedication to his craft. This guy comes in early, leaves late. Every day, he’s one of those a life of guys, and he’s done a great job. But I would also say the coaches have done a good job meeting with him one-on-one, making sure that he’s comfortable in this game. But he’s absolutely getting better. That was part of the plan.”

On why having the starters playing is something that this team needs:

“Yeah, to me, the only way to get better at football is to play football. We can run around here in shorts and whatever and tag off or run out here in full pads and not tackle and then get to the game and it looks like crap. I think it’s important to get that live-action and also to build on our conditioning.”

On how they balance following a development plan with Drake Maye against what’s happening and reacting to what’s going on:

“We always have to be willing to, I should say, flexible in regards to the plan. Right now, it’s all going the right way, right direction, and hopefully, he continues to get better.”

On if he can see his confidence grow as Maye goes about his business and gets something out of the game:

“Yeah, absolutely. He made some good throws, and I would say his teammates can see that confidence growing as well. And hopefully, it’s this upward trajectory from there.”

On the developmental plan and if he can discuss the core of what that is:

“I’m not going to get too much into the plan, but at the core, it’s just the extra work. We talked about the different tools that we have, and all the quarterbacks are really taking advantage of that, whether it’s the virtual reality, the extra walk-through time, the meetings by themselves. They’re just doing all that extra stuff that’s really paying dividends.”

On the fact Jaheim Bell appeared to have a pretty good day yesterday and how he’s come along in the wake of seeing both Austin Hooper and Hunter Henry go down with injuries:

“Yeah, he’s really stepped up to the challenge, and he’s taking a lot of reps. He’s one of those guys that… He has a unique skillset. He can run with the ball in his hands, and we just have to do a good job getting it to him.”

On if with three weeks to go until the regular season if he knows who his starting quarterback will be and if not, when he wants to lock that down:

“We still don’t know right now. We have another preseason game, and then a week after that. When I know, I’ll let you know.”

On the confidence of Drake Maye and how that manifests itself on the field and what’s a confident quarterback in his mind:

“Well, let’s just rewind a little bit. You pick up and you go to a new state, a new team, all that stuff. And just his routine, he settled into his routine. I think that’s the most important thing for any type of rookie. Going forward… Sorry, last part?”

If he’s more confident, how do you see that? Do you notice it on the field?

“Yeah, so going back to the confidence thing, yes, going through your progressions, building trust in the guys up front, going through your progressions and making the right throw.”

On if Mayo remembers when it clicked for him in his first time in the NFL:

“I don’t remember a particular game. My welcome to the NFL was Warrick Dunn catching a ball out in the flats, and it was a one-on-one tackle, and I made the tackle. I was like, ‘Maybe I could do this.’ Some of you guys don’t even know Warrick Dunn.”

“Sorry. There are guys in the locker room that have never even heard of Cracker Jacks. Think about that. Because I always sing that song, ‘Take me out to [the ballgame]…’ And they’re like, ‘What are Cracker Jacks?’ I’m like, Man, I’m getting old.”

On the fact he said in the past he wanted the offensive line to be settled going into week three of the preseason and where he is with that:

“Yeah, we’re getting close. That’ll be a discussion after the game.”

On the fact that Jacoby Brissett looked like he hit his helmet yesterday on a helmet during one of his follow-throughs:

“Yeah, he’s okay. He’s okay. And one thing I would say, even though they look crazy, the Guardian Caps kind of help out with that. Instead of hitting a hard helmet with your thumb, the Guardian Caps have a little more give.”

On the fact he said on WEEI this morning that on the tight ends, they should be back ‘relatively early in the season’ and if Hunter Henry’s status for the opener is in doubt:

“I wouldn’t say it’s in doubt. I mean, right now, we have to see. We still have a lot of time. I think he’ll be there, but once again, when he’s ready to play, he’ll be out there.”

On the developmental plan timetable and how much does that week between Washington and then game prep for Cincinnati, that week factor in:

“It’s a huge week because now you start to get into that game planning element. Remember, right now in preseason, everyone’s just kind of running the same thing. It’s very basic. Even when guys like Drake Maye get a chance to go against our defense, he’s going to see different looks, and he’ll struggle a lot of times, but hopefully he learns through those mistakes.”

On how important it is for Drake Maye to mix in with the full unit line, receiver, everything, before he can determine whether he’s ready to play:

“It’s very important for him to continue to build that confidence with that group, not only the offensive line, but also the receivers. So it is important.”

On what the Slip & Slide day was like for him:

“It was great. I did it. You know, first time head coach. We had some coaches that did not participate, which I got after those guys. So we’ll do it again here soon. But it’s a tradition that’s been here for a long time. And for the rookies, I would say it’s huge because they have to deal with that adversity, because now they’re going one on one, but their shoes are soaking wet. And just to see how those guys reacted to that was good.”

On the fact we saw Jacoby struggle a little bit at times in the preseason, throwing that interception in the red zone, and how he’s been responding over the last couple of days:

“He’s the ultimate next play, next play kind of guy. You need that attitude, whether you’re a pitcher or a quarterback, you need that attitude. ‘Let’s just move on’ and not get too high or too low.”

On if having to go through the next 1:45 of practice in a soaking wet uniform, if that’s part of it, too:

“It is. And that goes back to the adversity that we try to instill through the slip and slide. And it’s fun.”

On if the second-year guys have to do it, and if they did it last year or did they miss it last year:

“Yeah, we didn’t do it last year. We brought it back, so the second year guys did it.”

On the fact he said that JaQuae Jackson was undergoing an MRI and if there was any update:

“No update at this time. I’m sorry.”

On how important this week is, their first road game this week getting ready:

“It’s huge, not only for the players on the field, but also from an operational standpoint. So it’ll be a good test for us, and hopefully we can iron it out. We start the season on the road.”

On where the kickers stand in his mind:

“Yeah, I mean, both of those guys have done a great job, and we’ve been trying to yell and get them out of their element. Today, we won’t do that, but it’s still a competition, and look forward to seeing who comes out on top.”

On the fact he said that everyone who’s healthy will play in the preseason game. In last week’s game, we didn’t see Jabril Peppers, Kyle Dugger, Ja’Whaun Bentley play and if that was that injury-related, or if they earned that:

“No, they earned that. They had some small things, but they earned that right.”

On with the kickers if their ability to tackle will factor into his decision:

“No, not at all.”

On the fact that it sounds like in the new kickoff, the kickers might be involved in that:

“You sound like Jahlani [Tavai]. Jahlani is a rugby guy. He’s like, ‘I could just kick the ball.’ It’s like, ‘No, you can’t.’ No, that’s not really a big point of emphasis for our kickers.

On with Mitchell Wilcox going down yesterday, it looks like the top three tight ends are banged up right now, and what is the level of concern:

“Yeah, that room has been banged up a little bit. At the same time, it’s going to give guys like Jaheim an opportunity to go out there and get more reps, more quality reps, and see what he could do. Next man up.”

On what he’s seen from the development of Caeden Wallace:

“Yeah, he’s one of those guys. He’s going to be a very good player in this league. But once again, going back to, he’s a rookie and needs to see more football, I think it’s important for him to get out there. And not just Caeden, but also Layden [Robinson]. I think he’s done a good job as well. And David’s been really helping those guys out.”

On if he has anyone on the roster who can play center:

“Nick [Leverett] can also snap.”

On the fact he has missed practice:

“He has missed practice, and that’s always an area of concern. So when you carry those extra linemen, you want someone that can play both guard spots and center.”

On if Layden Robinson can do that and if they’ve tried him there:

“My thing is right now, let’s settle in on one spot and go from there.”

On if he minds celebrations where a player throws the ball after a big play [like what happened in practice]:

“For me, as long as you get back in the huddle after a big play and we don’t get to delay a game after the celebration, I’m fine. I think you should be excited, and I think your teammate should be excited for you as well. And I would say offensively, it takes 11 guys to really go out there and execute a play. Defensively, if you have Aaron Donald or something like that, everyone else could mess up the coverage, but he’ll get to the quarterback. But going back to your initial question, I would say, I don’t mind the excitement. I actually encourage it.”

On the fact Charles Turner is on the roster and played center at LSU and what’s kept him from joining that rotation:

“He’s been working on it a little bit, but right now we just feel better with the group that we have. ”

“Thanks guys.”

(Editor’s Note: This transcript is done via the available footage and is subject to typos. If you spot something, please take a moment to let me know in the comments below.)

About Ian Logue

Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.

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