FOXBORO — The final time Mac Jones spoke with the media, he talked about how a lot he hated shedding to the protection throughout follow.
At that time per week in the past, the losses have been coming daily, in each 11-on-11 interval. And the frustration degree seemed to be hovering with the second-year Patriots quarterback.
Jones mentioned the each day poor performances, from himself included, was like taking a shot to the guts each time he walked off the sector.
Even after a weekend off, the offense appeared no higher on Monday. In reality, it was worse than the earlier week.
It was so woeful, folks questioned when, or if, Bill Belichick would pull the plug on the brand new offense, with all of its new wrinkles, or at the very least, bail on a few of the modifications.
That’s how unhealthy it’s appeared the previous few weeks.
But after hitting all-time low, Jones and the offense rose off the mat on Tuesday and had a greater day. Not markedly higher. Just higher.
The run recreation, sometimes stopped in its tracks, discovered some daylight with each Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson getting free. The offense, as a complete, appeared a bit sharper.
And that allowed everybody to breathe a bit and acquire a little bit of confidence in what they’re doing in adapting to a special scheme, with a set of recent coaches who’ve by no means coached offense earlier than.
It wasn’t a night-and-day kind enchancment, however Jones sounded and appeared like a special man.
“We’re close,” he mentioned following the exercise, when requested to evaluate the offense. “We just gotta get there, and buy in, and trust it, and do what we’re supposed to do, and do our job.”
Maybe it’s reached the stage the place Jones & Co. are simply resigned to the actual fact that is the way it’s going to be, and are attempting to profit from it. Maybe the unorthodox three-headed teaching contingent of Belichick, Matt Patricia and Joe Judge have made it clear they’re going to stay with the brand new offense, in order that they higher study and adapt, or bust.
Whatever the case, Jones clearly modified his tune. Or had somebody strongly recommend that will be the higher course.
After a brutal stretch of follow classes that left him stewing together with his head down on the sideline, Jones was clearly extra upbeat, talking concerning the trials and tribulations of the offense.
His disposition was higher, alongside together with his message.
“I think we’re close on a lot of things. It’s just that two percent that we need to fix,” mentioned Jones. “I think we’re going to figure it out. It takes time and patience. I think we’re making a lot of progress, so it’s good.”
Two p.c certain appeared like 2,000 p.c on Monday. Everything appeared in want of restore.
But Belichick opted to gradual the tempo down a bit for the aggressive drills on Tuesday, to not point out retaining it fundamental and easy. That allowed the offense to get its footing. So perhaps, there’s mild on the finish of the tunnel.
Practically each phrase Jones uttered had a optimistic spin.
Since he’s now the chief of the offense, it was a welcome change.
The workforce received’t embrace the brand new offense if the quarterback doesn’t. It appears Jones obtained that message loud and clear.
He was adamant about making the brand new offense work. There was no hesitation. That was the fixed theme in virtually each reply. It was virtually like Jones having a private pep rally.
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“I’m going to figure it out. I always have, and I always will,” he mentioned. “At the tip of the day, you’re going to have your ups and downs with something new, however I’ve discovered lots of completely different methods, and the fellows round me have, too.
“We know what football looks like,” he went on. “We know what a good play looks like and the schematics behind it. It’s not just the result, it’s the process of how it looks.”
Starting with the offensive line making blocks, the receivers getting open, the backs discovering the creases, and Jones delivering the soccer.
They all must be on the identical web page. If one man doesn’t do his job, the play is sunk.
“We all trust in each other. At the end of the day, when there’s 10 people that look into my eyes, I know they’re going to trust me to do the right thing on game day.”
At least, that’s what he’s relying on.
He’s betting on himself to get it proper, together with the remainder of his teammates.
There’s actually no different selection with the underlying notion that Belichick isn’t going to herald an skilled offensive coach to repair it, or just return to the outdated scheme.
While Jones admitted his persistence was being examined, they only must keep it up.
“I care a lot about the guys around me, when I don’t produce, or when we don’t produce together,” he mentioned. “Sometimes it’s slightly irritating, for no matter motive, it takes 11 folks. If one man doesn’t do his job, me included, it doesn’t work.
“We’re trying to get 11 people to do it right, and do it right consistently.”
Come hell or excessive water, Jones is all in. That was what he conveyed on Tuesday.
“At the end of the day, we’re going to figure it out, and make this thing work,” he mentioned. “We have good coaches that are laying the path for us. We just have to see it, how they see it, and come together, and dominate together.”
Or bust.
Source: www.bostonherald.com