Mayo explained his team was playing soft after Sunday’s loss.
Following the New England Patriots 32-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, head coach Jerod Mayo took the podium and shared that his football team was playing soft.
According to the head coach, that was due to the team’s poor performance running the football, stopping the run, and covering kicks. Against the Jaguars, New England’s running backs combined for just 20 rushing yards while the team allowed 171 yards on the ground and a 96-yard punt return touchdown.
While the head coach received plenty of public criticism for his comments, his players, who agreed with the assessment, understood where they came from.
“I don’t really think anybody took it any type of way, honestly,” captain Deatrich Wise Jr. said Wednesday. “I don’t think anybody ever heard what he said and even if they did they’re on to what can we do to play better. That’s where their mindset is.”
“To me, it don’t really bother me. It’s all about what we put on tape. There are plays where a lot of us were playing soft, me included,” fellow defensive lineman Keion White said. “Since all of us have been in middle school, we’ve all had coaches that said a lot worse. So it’s not really a big deal for me.”
“Tired of being 1-6 coming in, saying the same stuff every week. So I kinda understand where he’s coming from,” wide receiver Kayshon Boutte added.
Back in the building this week, Patriots veterans have seen no quit and the same level of commitment from players despite sitting at 1-6.
That’s part of some using Mayo’s comments as motivation as they hope to get back to their standard level of play.
“It’s got to challenge you,” captain Hunter Henry said. “I mean this is a physical game. You never want that to be your identity. So, I think that’s a big challenge for all of us. I’ve looked at myself in the mirror and I think everybody else will look at themselves. That’s a big challenge and you never want to identified that way.”
The Patriots first opportunity to respond will come this week against the New York Jets, who had no issues against New England in a 24-3 victory back in Week 3. In that contest, New York ran for 133 yards while limiting New England’s backs to just 57 rushing yards.
“I think the team will react great. You don’t want to be called [soft],” Henry said. “We got a lot of great football players in there. A lot of tough football players in there. I think everybody will react great.”