Patriots
“It’s the Patriots [offense], nevertheless it’s additionally for me, it’s Alabama [offense] too.”
Patriots QB Mac Jones appeared on WEEI’s “Jones & Mego” present on Monday afternoon, concerning a wide range of subjects such because the state of New England’s offense, Isaiah Bolden’s standing, and far more.
Listed below are a number of highlights from Jones’ prolonged radio interview:
Jones continues to heap reward on Invoice O’Brien’s new system
One other day, one other interview the place Mac Jones is singing the praises of Invoice O’Brien and the Patriots’ revamped offense.
New England’s offensive unit was usually caught within the mud final season, with a simplistic gameplan orchestrated by Matt Patricia and Joe Decide providing up little when it comes to selection or contingency plans for Jones and Co. if drives began to stall.
Below O’Brien, the Patriots have already rolled out a number of completely different seems and schemes, resulting in constructive good points by each Jones and different key cogs of New England’s first-team offensive unit.
Putting in further pre-snap movement and run-pass choices has given Jones and New England extra choices in any given state of affairs, permitting extra gamers to contribute in essential levels of the sport.
“That’s one thing that’s cool about this technique that’s been right here for therefore lengthy, it’s all concerning the quarterback and getting us into the precise play, nevertheless it’s additionally all about everybody else, as a result of everyone must be on the identical web page,” Jones stated. “It takes 11 guys and we’re making an attempt to develop that a part of it, and form of get again to what we are able to do rather well, and having a number of performs run at one time, and issues like that.
Having an offensive coordinator with O’Brien’s resume ought to assist craft a gameplan tailor-made to Jones’ strengths because the conductor of an NFL offense.
Not solely is O’Brien already well-versed in some hallmarks of the Patriots’ offensive schemes (together with Josh McDaniels’ system that Jones thrived in as a rookie), however he gained additional perception throughout his time as Nick Saban’s offensive coordinator at Alabama.
“It’s tremendous distinctive. It’s the Patriots [offense], nevertheless it’s additionally for me, it’s Alabama [offense] too, to not deliver up the previous an excessive amount of,” Jones stated of O’Brien’s offense. “He’s seen the system I ran at Alabama. … So he has plenty of data of not solely this technique however Alabama’s system, in order that’s cool for me, and plenty of guys on the crew actually respect that about him.”
In fact, all the constructive good points made by Jones and New England’s offense will should be replicated on the sector as soon as the common season begins.
However up to now, Jones has loved the collaborative effort that normally performs out between a quarterback and his offensive coordinator, particularly throughout these essential preseason reps.
“He’s at all times very open to making an attempt issues, particularly throughout observe. However on the finish of the day, I do know he’s the coach, and he’s going to make the precise calls within the recreation, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly a partnership,” Jones stated of O’Brien. “You need to have the ability to work collectively no matter who your coach is each time you go on the market to have the belief in him, after which him to belief you to do the precise factor.”
Jones believes Ezekiel Elliott is already making an affect with Patriots
He’s solely suited up for 2 joint practices (just one that noticed him participate in full contact), however Ezekiel Elliott has already slot in along with his new Patriots teammates, in line with Jones.
“I believe Zeke, simply speaking with him and hanging out with him, he’s superior,” Jones stated. “He’s only a nice man. I really feel like he’ll add plenty of, not solely on the sector, however issues off the sector. He simply looks as if a fantastic chief.
“He’s already bringing the juice to the practices, and I like that about him. We’ve undoubtedly acquired plenty of stuff that we wish to work on collectively, however he’s already working actually exhausting within the playbook and every part.”
Elliott didn’t play throughout Saturday’s preseason recreation in opposition to the Packers. However the former All-Professional working again is anticipated to be a key piece on New England’s offense, serving as the following man up behind Rhamondre Stevenson on the depth chart and including extra pass-catching and pass-blocking wrinkles to the Patriots’ roster.
“Mondre’s doing a fantastic job, and the entire working again room,” Jones stated. “I believe [running backs coach] Vinnie [Sunseri] does a fantastic job in there simply retaining everyone to that normal.
“There isn’t plenty of dropoff between gamers, which I like. You’re in there with one man, you’re in there with a distinct man, however you realize that they know what to do, and you’ve got the boldness in everybody.”
Jones not shocked by Demario Douglas’ robust begin
Demario Douglas has solely performed sparingly in New England’s first two preseason video games in opposition to the Texans and Packers.
However given his common stand-out performances throughout coaching camp and joint practices, the case may be made that the 2023 sixth-round decide has already earned himself a spot on New England’s 53-man roster, and Invoice Belichick and Co. are attempting to restrict simply how a lot movie groups can compile on the rookie throughout preseason motion.
Despite the fact that the speedy Douglas has put himself on the radar of many NFL followers and expertise evaluators this summer time, don’t rely Jones as somebody who didn’t know that the 22-year-old wideout had excessive potential within the NFL ranks.
“Shock is an fascinating strategy to put it, proper? As a result of I’ve form of recognized him for a very long time and I do know what he’s able to,” Jones stated of Douglas. “He’s not the biggest-framed man, not probably the most spectacular whenever you see him. However whenever you see him on the sector you’re like, ‘OK, this child can play soccer,’ and that’s what I like about him.
“He simply has a giant coronary heart, needs to go on the market and win and he’s gonna proceed to do this,” Jones added. “I do know that he’s constructed from the precise stuff and actually appreciated his character, too. He’s actually humorous and brings plenty of juice to the sector. So undoubtedly completely satisfied that he’s with us proper now and simply gotta preserve pushing alongside and making these performs.”
Jones stated Isaiah Bolden is “doing higher”
Jones provided a constructive replace on rookie cornerback Isaiah Bolden, who wanted to be taken off the sector on a stretcher throughout Saturday’s preseason recreation in opposition to the Packers. Bolden’s damage prompted the groups to finish the sport early with 10:29 left within the fourth quarter.
Bolden spent Saturday night time within the hospital, however was discharged on Sunday and traveled again to Foxborough with the remainder of the crew.
“Undoubtedly a scary state of affairs. I’ve recognized him for a very long time,” Jones stated of Bolden. “And undoubtedly he’s doing higher, which I do know for a reality. And I did see him and he did give me a smile. In order that was actually good.
“You by no means wish to see anyone go down like that on the soccer subject or actually any subject, proper? It’s robust. So simply felt like we made the precise transfer and simply making an attempt to wish for him. And I’m simply glad that he’s doing higher.”
E-newsletter Signup
Keep updated on all the newest information from Boston.com
