FOXBORO — If Mac Jones’ statements Wednesday are to be taken at face worth, the group captain goes again to the basics of taking part in quarterback as he tries to show across the Patriots’ season after an 0-2 begin.
The theme of Jones’ information convention was again to fundamentals, specializing in not simply every down however what makes up every play.
Monday on WEEI, Jones clarified an announcement he made Sunday night time after the Patriots’ loss to the Dolphins when he communicated the necessity to arrive early and keep late, however “if a couple guys are doing it, it’s not good enough, clearly.” Jones advised “Jones and Mego with Arcand” that he was not calling out teammates.
The QB was requested Wednesday in regards to the want for the group to do extra after a gradual begin to the season.
“I think the biggest thing is stick to your routine,” Jones stated. “Obviously we preserve speaking about being shut and I feel plenty of that simply comes from somewhat bit of additional work. That’s what I’ve observed with completely different folks. I prefer to learn and see different athletes, what they do, and that’s simply what plenty of good athletes do. So, making an attempt to try this however can’t press. Gotta let issues come to you.
“For me, focus on the little things like what’s the play? Where is it supposed to go? Is it a run or pass? RPO? And then how do I get the ball to the playmakers?”
When requested about trying extra snug this 12 months, Jones stated he’s “done talking about last year” and “done with the first two weeks.”
“Just trying to focus on what I can do each play. What’s my job? Who’s the ball supposed to go to? And focus on that,” he stated.
Jones stored repeating these primary tenets when requested how shut the Patriots are, in regards to the feeling within the locker room and on the group’s relative success within the crimson zone.
“What’s the play? What’s my job? How can I do it very well? And how can I carry others with me? … Just play the play for what it’s. Do your job, line up, task, for me, what’s my learn? Who am I presupposed to throw the ball to, and preserve it easy. …
“Focus on the play, how can I execute the play? Who can I get the ball to? And let that take care of itself. We have great playmakers, offensive line is coming together. So for me, I just have to stay within the structure.”
It sounds easy. Almost too easy.
The Patriots’ offense confirmed progress all through coaching camp. By the tip of the summer season, Jones was assured, the Patriots’ playmakers have been hyping up Jones, and the protection was praising the complete offensive unit for making their jobs troublesome day-after-day.
And now after two weeks, Jones appears to be making an attempt to hit the reset button.
The Patriots did battle to attach on deep balls this summer season, and that concern has continued into the season. It was notable to see Jones join with Patriots huge receiver DeVante Parker on a deep ball in the midst of August throughout a joint apply with the Packers as a result of these passes had been off for the primary few weeks of coaching camp. At the time, it regarded like a constructive step in the proper course. But on reflection, it might need been an aberration.
Jones is simply 3-of-13 for 53 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions on passes which have traveled 20 yards or additional, per PFF. He’s 2-of-7 for 30 yards with two touchdowns on deep balls to huge receiver Kendrick Bourne and 1-of-2 for 23 yards to rookie huge receiver Demario Douglas. Beyond that, he’s 0-of-2 to rookie huge receiver Kayshon Boutte, 0-of-1 to operating again Ty Montgomery and 0-of-1 to tight finish Mike Gesicki. None of these passes have been dropped, although he has been pressured on 5 of the dropbacks.
“Really just for me, what’s the drop? Who is it designed to go to? Where am I looking? And the timing of it,” Jones stated about what he can do to enhance his deep passing. “I think that just comes from practice.”
Jones is healthier on intermediate (10-to-19 yard) throws, going 10-of-18 for 121 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He’s 32-of-40 for 287 yards with one interception on quick passes and 21-of-22 for 86 yards on throws behind the road of scrimmage.
The Patriots lack a velocity component of their receiving corps with Tyquan Thornton on injured reserve. They elevated speedy 2020 first-round decide Jalen Reagor off the apply squad, however he didn’t play a single snap on Sunday. Parker is an possibility on contested downfield catches, however he didn’t play in Week 1. And Douglas was benched after fumbling within the first quarter of Sunday’s loss.
Many of Jones’ deep throws are wasted performs. At the identical time, chunk performs would assist the Patriots stop this season’s gradual begins.
The Patriots are not simply taking issues one play at a time. Jones is taking every play one step at time. We’ll discover out Sunday when the Patriots journey to tackle the Jets if it’s efficient.
Source: www.bostonherald.com