Henry McKenna
AFC East Reporter
After parting ways with Bill Belichick last week, the New England Patriots made a move toward what’s familiar: head coach Jerod Mayo. Will their next set of moves be about sparking change?
“As you evaluate the players and the scheme, I think you have to evaluate the culture and evaluate how the pieces fit,” Mayo said during his introductory press conference on Wednesday.
Mayo added: “I’m not trying to be Bill.”
After Belichick’s departure, the Patriots didn’t spend time interviewing head coaching candidates. They pounced on Mayo to serve as the heir apparent to the greatest coach of all time. They had already agreed to a succession plan with Mayo last offseason, with a clause in his contract ensuring his promotion after Belichick’s departure, per multiple reports.
Owner Robert Kraft explained that hiring Mayo was a lot like hiring Belichick.
“I have the same feeling now,” Kraft said.
There’s no doubt that Mayo was the best internal candidate. And to me, there’s no doubt that he’ll do a great job bringing a new era to New England. He is the right blend of familiar (a former player who learned from Belichick in the locker room, front office and coaches meetings) and new (with a youthful approach and a sense of how to connect with today’s players). But there’s no denying that his NFL career — both as a player and coach — was forged in Belichick’s Patriot Way. And Belichick’s coaching tree hasn’t borne much fruit.
If Mayo’s era in New England is going to work, he’s going to need to make some crucial changes. He has already begun interviewing for special teams and defensive coordinator roles. But that might not even be where the team needs the most radical change. The Patriots need help on offense and in the front office.
Because let’s say Mayo retains Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator — or even brings back Josh McDaniels. (Both options are in play, according to NFL Network’s…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/jerod-mayo-looks-to-bring-new-era-to-new-england-im-not-trying-to-be-bill
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Publish date : 2024-01-17 22:29:53
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