Patriots
“I’ve to imagine in myself. And I did not actually give them so much to imagine within the different night time.”
Patriots QB Mac Jones appeared on WEEI’s “Jones & Mego” present on Monday night, referring to quite a lot of matters together with his benching in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and New England’s slew of accidents on protection.
Listed here are a couple of highlights from Jones’ prolonged radio interview:
Jones talks benching
Jones’ and the Patriots offense hit a brand new low throughout Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys, with Jones getting the hook within the third quarter after New England fell right into a 31-3 gap.
Jones’ personal play contributed to one more steep deficit for New England, with the QB finishing simply 12 of his 20 passes for 150 yards and getting knocked for 2 interceptions and a fumble — with two of these turnovers immediately resulting in Dallas touchdowns.
As anticipated, Jones didn’t elaborate a lot when requested about his sideline conversations with Invoice Belichick on Sunday — each earlier than and after he was benched at AT&T Stadium.
“I feel simply the way in which the sport went, I imply, it’s what it’s,” Jones mentioned when requested for the reasoning behind his benching. “And for me, clearly [I] didn’t play nicely in that recreation. So [I’ve] obtained to do issues higher in apply, that’s the place it form of begins.”
With Jones spending a lot of the second half of Sunday’s recreation on the sidelines, New England turned to Bailey Zappe to shut out the group’s lopsided loss.
Zappe accomplished 4 of his 9 passing makes an attempt for 57 yards within the loss.
As for Jones’ message to Zappe going into what was a 28-point deficit?
“We speak all the time on the sideline,” Jones mentioned of his conversations with Zappe. “So for me, simply attempting to provide him recommendation, simply go on the market and sling in. On the finish of the day, we had been down by so much. So it’s a troublesome place.”
Turnovers proceed to thwart New England’s offense
A lot has gone unsuitable for New England’s offense to this point this season, whether or not or not it’s a stagnant run recreation, a dysfunctional offensive line, or an absence of separation for Jones’ receiving targets.
However with regards to the chief issue that has performed into New England’s dreadful begins to this point in 2023, turnovers proceed to rear their heads at essential junctures for this offense.
By way of 4 video games, New England has surrendered 64 first-half factors in 2023. Thirty-five of these factors have been a direct results of turnovers, together with three defensive touchdowns.
Jones’ struggles with caring for the soccer allowed Dallas to land a knockout blow early at AT&T Stadium.
“What you emphasize is what you get. A coach advised me that a very long time in the past, so no matter you place an emphasis on is form of what you’re gonna see enchancment on,” Jones mentioned. “So we’ve undoubtedly emphasised it and as gamers and me particularly you simply obtained to do a greater job with it. And, you realize, the ball is job safety. So I perceive that and actually, it’s time to make make motion on that rapidly.”
On New England’s third drive of the night time, Dante Fowler strip-sacked Jones on the Patriots’ six-yard line, with Leighton Vander Esch recovering the pigskin and operating into the tip zone to provide the Cowboys a 15-point benefit.
After a 3-and-out, New England’s following drive within the second quarter additionally resulted in catastrophe, with a poor throw from Jones to Kendrick Bourne getting snagged by Daron Bland en path to a pick-six.
“For me, simply stick with my reads and take a look at to not have these turnovers,” Jones mentioned. “You are taking away these turnovers and it’s a special story. So [I] should study to try this higher. I gotta study fast.
“Now’s the time and I’m gonna put plenty of time into that and give attention to what I can do higher. And the blokes round me are doing an excellent job. We’re undoubtedly working arduous. So simply excited to try to come out of this gap that I dug.”
Accidents hampered New England’s protection
Invoice Belichick and his teaching workers have already got their work lower out for them with regards to attempting to revive this stagnant offense going into Week 5 in opposition to New Orleans.
However the Patriots are additionally coping with the extreme sting of the damage bug on the opposite facet of the ball, with New England doubtlessly pressured to trudge forward with out its two most impactful defensive gamers in Matthew Judon and Christian Gonzalez.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Gonzalez and Judon are each anticipated to be out indefinitely after getting injured on Sunday.
Schefter reported that Gonzalez injured his shoulder, whereas Judon suffered a decrease bicep tendon tear in opposition to Dallas. Each are looking for second opinions on their respective illnesses.
New England’s secondary unit was already decimated earlier than Gonzalez’s damage. Coming into Week 4 in Dallas, the Patriots had been already with out cornerbacks Marcus Jones (IR), Jack Jones (IR), and Jonathan Jones, who has missed the final three video games with an ankle damage.
“Judon and [Gonzalez], they’re doing a fantastic job, man. It’s sucks to see that,” Jones mentioned of Gonzalez and Judon’s accidents. “Judon has clearly been a fantastic chief right here since I’ve gotten right here, and I don’t know the extent of all that stuff, however [I] hope they’re doing good.
“Christian, I imply, he’s are available and labored actually arduous. He simply does his job. And he seems to be actually good on the market. So it’s form of a bummer, for positive. However we all know that there’s guys that can step up and do their job as nicely.”
Wanting forward
After fielding loads of questions in regards to the Cowboys, Jones was understandably relieved that the main target of Monday’s interview shifted towards New England’s subsequent recreation — a house matchup in opposition to the Saints.
“Yeah, that’s a fantastic query, lastly one thing about New Orleans,” Jones mentioned with fun. “However yeah — undoubtedly an excellent protection. Additionally performed in opposition to them my rookie 12 months and so they’ve obtained plenty of veterans on their group, some actually good gamers, good coach, very sound throughout the board.
“So, undoubtedly a problem and I feel only for us, we’ve obtained to give attention to us. For me, simply what can I do higher? Can I learn this play? How? Which approach do I’ve to start out? The place are my eyes? How’s my footwork? All that stuff so simply attempt to get on observe there and go on the market and play soccer.”
Regardless of pulling his QB1 from Sunday’s recreation, Belichick has already mentioned that Jones will stay the starter transferring ahead. Now, the onus falls on Jones to attempt to proper the ship for a Patriots group teetering on catastrophe in the event that they drop to 1-4 following Sunday’s contest.
“I feel, for me, I simply gotta go on the market and win some video games. And that’s what all of it comes all the way down to, goes on the market and doing my half. I’m working arduous. I do know I can do it. I’ve to imagine in myself. And I didn’t actually give [my teammates] so much to imagine within the different night time, however I’ll present that I can do it. And that comes from arduous work and trusting myself and trusting them.”
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