It’s no shock to see Jerod Mayo try and backtrack on his most damning remark in the future after he made it. In the event you’ve paid any consideration to the New England Patriots first-year head coach this season you recognize that’s as frequent because the solar developing Monday morning.
This time, nevertheless, what was accomplished can’t be undone.
Mayo labeled the Patriots a “tender soccer crew throughout the board” after New England was pummeled by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. He used arguably probably the most demeaning phrase you may use to explain a soccer crew.
Mayo backed it up, too. He pointed to the actual fact the offense couldn’t set up the run (15 carries, 38 yards), the protection couldn’t cease Jacksonville’s floor recreation (171 dashing yards allowed) and particular groups couldn’t cowl kicks and allowed a punt return landing. New England misplaced all three phases.
Whereas Mayo’s in-the-moment criticism was blunt, it have been truthful. Patriots gamers like quarterback Drake Maye, security Kyle Dugger, tight finish Hunter Henry and defensive deal with Daniel Ekuale didn’t have an issue with Mayo’s call-out. He mentioned it to the crew earlier than he mentioned it to the media, they mentioned.
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So stick by it, coach.
As an alternative, nevertheless, Mayo backpedaled throughout his Monday morning media availabilities. He mentioned the Patriots have been “taking part in tender in the intervening time” when he spoke to reporters on a video convention earlier than he expanded throughout an interview with WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Present.”
“Taking part in tender,” Mayo interjected when the station requested about his remark. “I ought to have mentioned — look, let me simply go forward and proper that: We’re taking part in tender. As a result of in the event you take a look at the primary — going again to coaching camp, there was undoubtedly some toughness throughout the place. We nonetheless have the identical gamers, we simply acquired to play that means.”
Mayo added: “To right what I mentioned, it’s not that we have now a softball soccer crew. We’re simply taking part in tender over the previous few weeks.”
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Who is aware of whether or not Mayo’s backpedal was as a result of he felt he misspoke or due to the response to it inside and outdoors the locker room. It served as probably the most notably quote from New England’s Week 7 loss throughout the purpose. Whatever the root of it, although, it proved one more instance of Mayo’s mishandling of his public messages.
Not like these previously, nevertheless, this one is unimaginable to return on. The Patriots are a tender soccer crew, and Mayo mentioned it himself.
