Patriots in Crisis: Mayo’s Blunt Assessment
LONDON – The New England Patriots are reeling after their sixth consecutive loss, a 32-16 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. Coach Jerod Mayo didn’t sugarcoat his team’s performance, labeling them “a soft football team across the board.”
Tough Talk from Mayo
Mayo’s critique was no surprise to his players, who heard the same message in the locker room after the game. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye said, “Coach Mayo is not going to come in here and say something to you guys that he didn’t say to us in the locker room. He’s always preaching being tough.” Veteran linebacker Jahlani Tavai agreed, saying, “He said it well and we got to look in the mirror and understand what he’s saying.”
Players Take Responsibility
The Patriots’ struggles are evident in all phases of the game. They managed just 38 rushing yards, allowed 171 rushing yards, and surrendered a 96-yard punt return for a touchdown. Veteran tight end Hunter Henry said, “That wasn’t what we want to be at all. That was not the identity we want to be.” Players are taking responsibility for their disappointing play, with Tavai saying, “We have to take that personal. That can’t happen. That’s unacceptable.”
Injuries No Excuse
The Patriots have been plagued by injuries, particularly on the offensive line, where they’ve had seven different starting units. Defensively, they’ve been without key players like Christian Barmore and Ja’Whaun Bentley. However, players refuse to use injuries as an excuse for their poor performance. Tavai said, “If we’re OK being soft, then some people will fall off, and the rest of us who want to prove that wrong will step up and make sure this doesn’t happen.”
Mayo Takes Ownership
Mayo, in his first year as head coach, acknowledges that having a “soft team” reflects on him and his staff. “First, it starts with me,” Mayo said. “It’s about just the mentality of going back to having a tough football team. I just have to do a better job.” The Patriots (1-6) return home to face the New York Jets next Sunday, desperate to turn their season around.
A Long Road Ahead
The Patriots’ struggles are a far cry from their opening-day win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Mayo is unsure what has led to his team becoming “soft,” but he’s determined to find a solution. “That’s something I have to think about,” Mayo said. “We have a long flight back. It’s not like all of a sudden we did something different and now we’re a soft football team. It’s just the mentality that we have to get back in the guys.”
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