Invoice Belichick gave his ideas on benching Mac Jones, what he plans at quarterback for Week 5

Patriots

“I did not assume there was any level in leaving him within the sport,” Belichick mentioned of benching Jones.

Invoice Belichick through the Patriots’ loss to the Cowboys. AP Picture/Michael Ainsworth

Patriots coach Invoice Belichick, by no means significantly loquacious, was particularly transient after dropping 38-3 to the Cowboys on Sunday.

“We clearly didn’t do a lot of something effectively sufficient to be aggressive tonight,” he mentioned in his opening remarks of the postgame press convention.

Belichick added that he nonetheless believes within the 1-3 Patriots.

“I believe we’re rather a lot higher workforce than we confirmed on the market tonight, however that’s what we confirmed and that’s what it was,” he mentioned. “We’ve acquired lots of work to do.”

Requested why he thinks the Patriots — a workforce that struggled on either side of the ball in opposition to the Cowboys — are higher than what was proven on Sunday, Belichick cited the video games previous to Week 4.

The primary story of the sport as soon as the end result had been decided was Belichick choice to take away beginning quarterback Mac Jones.

“I didn’t assume there was any level in leaving him within the sport,” Belichick mentioned of his second half option to bench Jones and put backup Bailey Zappe within the sport.

Belichick was requested if Jones was benched because of dangerous efficiency.

“No, I mentioned there was no level in leaving him on the market,” he replied, “so I took him out.”

Inevitably, the query was put to the Patriots’ coach: Will Jones proceed because the starter going ahead?

“Yeah,” Belichick responded, earlier than repeating his earlier assertion about not seeing some extent in leaving Jones within the sport with the end result determined.

The opposite dangerous information for New England through the sport had been accidents to essential defensive gamers Christian Gonzalez and Matthew Judon.

“We’ll see,” Belichick mentioned in reply as to whether there was an harm replace.

Gonzalez, the Patriots’ gifted first-round decide cornerback, exited within the first quarter with a shoulder harm.

Given his capability on the place — and the Patriots’ already being brief at cornerback because of accidents — Belichick acknowledged that the defensive game-plan needed to be shifted as soon as Gonzalez went out.

“I don’t assume any of us performed or coached effectively sufficient to be aggressive as we speak,” he mentioned of the collective workforce efficiency. “It’s all people.”

As for addressing Jones’ efficiency, or doubtlessly serving to enhance his confidence, Belichick gave a simple treatment.

“We have to exit and play effectively.”