Bill O'Brien and Jerod Mayo were the stars of the show as the Patriots made their assistant coaches available to the media on Tuesday. They touched on why they're here (O'Brien) or back (Mayo) but also some scheme stuff and questions about certain players (Mac Jones) or positions (free safety, linebacker). And, of course, Bill Belichick.
Here's a partial transcript of what each said.
BILL O'BRIEN
On being back
It's been really good. Good staff, great guys, just started with the players yesterday. And that's been good, great attendance so far. The whole thing leading up to this period is a dead period. So this is the first time we've actually had a chance to really be with the players. And that's really exciting, because that's, you know what, it's all about the coaching end of it. So it's been good.
How good can Mac Jones be?
I think the big thing for us right now is everybody starts with a clean slate. I think that every year is different, I think this year is no different than any other year relative to each year in the NFL is different, right? So what you did in the past, or whether it's a player or coach, or anybody in the organization really has no bearing on what happens moving forward. So like, you know, we just started yesterday, and we're looking forward to having a good phase one, and then a good phase two, and then a good phase three. And that's kind of what it's all about.
Time with Jones at Alabama
Yeah, I think that the time in Alabama was when I first got hired, he was there getting ready for the draft. I basically met him. He talked to me about the generalities of the offense. And, you know, that was about it. I think this time period here, you know, starting yesterday, this is the time where you really get to know all the players. So relative to when I was there two years ago, he was getting ready for the draft, I met him and that was about it on that.
Did coaching Mac play into decision your decision at all?
Oh, no, I think I think the big thing about coming back here was to come back and work for a great organization, great owner, great head coach. I'm from here, my family lives here. My wife went to Boston College, very familiar with the area. So all of that played into our decision as a family to come back here. I think that was the big thing. It wasn't about one person. It was about the whole package so to speak.
How similar are things you walk in here for the first time in a decade? How similar are things compared to how they were back then?
Yeah, I think things change every year, right? This building's different. Everything's different, you know, there's different staff members. You know, that was 12 years ago, you know, so this is something that is, I'm really excited about working with this staff, working with these players. Every year is new, every year is new. That's the way the NFL is set up. You know, if you look at all the rules of the NFL, whether it's free agency, the draft, the salary cap rules, whatever it is, every year is a new year. And that's what this is. So we're all starting with a clean slate, fresh start. And it's really not anything about what's going on in the past. It's more about moving forward. That's our theme. That's one of our themes on offense is to, is to move forward. You know, that's what we're doing.
Last year Mac at times, did show emotions. What was your thought process as an offensive coordinator on your quarterback, no matter who it is showing emotions, good or bad?
I think it goes back to what I really and I'm, I'm telling you when I say this, yesterday we started and it really is a clean slate. You know, however you played or however you coached or whatever you did in the past. In the end, it's all about what are we going to do starting yesterday. You know, for two and a half months when I got hired. We were in this office next door meeting as an offensive staff getting to know each other and doing things like that. Now we get a chance to work with the players It's all brand new every year is new. Football is a game of emotion at times. That's what football is. But at the end of the day, this is a new year. This is a new start. And we're excited about
How much have you spent trying to dissect what did happen last year and how to move forward?
I think you always go back, we've watched a lot of tape, not just last year, not just two years ago, we've watched a lot of college tape, we've watched a lot of tape from around the league over the last few years, you know, we have access to a lot of different ways to watch tape. And that's as coaches, that's one of our main jobs is to learn from the film. So we've watched a lot of tape, and we've gleaned a lot from watching tape. And now it's time for us to, you know, like I said, start working with the players and see if we can, you know, keep moving forward and have a really good offseason program.
2023 offense... do you have a framework in place? Or is it just kind of like sketched?
Yeah, no, I mean, there's a framework and every year there's a different framework, you know, like I when I was answering the last question, you know, you go back and you look at your experiences that you've had in different places, different experiences that some of these guys on the staff here have had and you develop that framework. But at the end of the day, it's really like it started yesterday. And part of putting that framework together is working with the players and and that's what we're doing. We started yesterday. It's been good. It's a three phase offseason program and you know, we'll begin to like put all that together now. And then, you know, that leads into training camp. So there is some stuff that might not right now be in the framework.
Bill along those lines, you've had a lot of different experiences you coach Deshaun Watson, you were in the college game, which is different. I mean, offensively once we see you on the practice field, how different is it going to look from the offense that you either ran here or in Houston?
Yeah, I think I again, I think it's all about like this, this team, this offense ... what are we doing within the framework of the team, the players that we have here, every year is different, every year you have different players. There's different players that are here, now that were here last year. So as you're putting together what you're going to do headed into training camp, you're learning from the players. And that process just started yesterday. So like I said, everybody, you know, we're all starting at the same point, we're all starting off the, you know, the same, let's just call it launching pad of day one of offseason program yesterday, getting to know our players getting to know what they've done in the past, getting to know what they can do within our system. And then and then put it together from there.
Can you talk about your relationship with Bill? In the sense that you've known for a long time, you've had different roles, your head coach, now you're working for him? Again? Is he the same as he changed? What do you respect about...
I have great respect to Bill, I really appreciate the opportunity to be back here working for him. You know, when I got into pro football, you know, this was the first place I worked. And I learned a lot, I learned more about football in my first year here than I have learned in the previous at that time, you know, whatever it was 16 years. So, I am very appreciative of the opportunity, I take a lot of pride in working here, I said that in the past, I take a lot of pride working for the New England Patriots, not only because I'm from here, but because of what this organization means to me. And that's everybody in the organization. There's a lot of people here that were here when I was here before and it's been great to reconnect with them. And it's been great to work with the staff. So I'm, I'm thrilled to be here
For the players getting back to the offense for them, will it be like having to learn a completely new offense? Or what are the elements of it they might be familiar with? From being here, perhaps two years?
I'd say that's probably a better question for them. I think that we all, you know, like, like I was saying earlier, you know, over time, you've been in a lot of different places, you have a lot of different ways of doing things. Some of those things are things that we've done here, but other things are new so you know we just started yesterday it's a clean slate we were really yesterday just talked about like some of the things we want to try to get done in the spring goal wise, and things like that try to get to know each other we really haven't been around these guys, you know, because of that dead period. You can't really all you can do is say quick hello to him in the cafeteria in a weight room or whatever. So you really can't, you know, sit down and chat with them. So yesterday was the first day to actually do that. I think like that's really what's important is getting to know the guys, you're coaching, before you even start talking about X's and O's. And that's kind of what this period of time is right here in the last couple days,
Specifically for Mac, do you have to be cognizant of the challenge that might be associated with having three different coordinators, three different play callers in three years, and maybe trying to mitigate whatever those challenges are?
I think, like, I think that goes for really every player in there. You know, I really do. I think, you know, a lot of these guys have had different coaches over their careers, you know, whether it's, you know, quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends offensive line. So I think it's more about them, getting to know us, us getting to know them, our styles, what we believe in, what we're passionate about within the framework of what Bill wants the team to look like. So I think that's kind of what we started yesterday. And that's, that's really what we're working towards right now.
Draft process
Yeah, we just like we do our part as coaches. I would say that's obviously a better question for Bill and for Matt Groh. And Matt I think it'll be in here later on. So you'll, you'll get a chance to ask him that. We evaluate players. You know, we give our opinion. And then we get back to what our roles are on the staff. But, you know, those guys are in charge of all that. And they do a good job with that. So we just do what is asked of us relative to evaluation of players.
Alabama the last couple years do you feel like you have a pretty good grasp on the draft class this year.
I mean, I have a good grasp on the guys at Alabama. Do I think a lot of them are really good? Obviously. I have a grasp on some of the teams we play in the SEC, but I'm not like an expert on all of college football for 2022.
Adrian Klemm
AK has been good. I mean, he's really smart. Really good staff member, good communicator, got a lot of good experience at different places and different systems really good guy to work with the whole staff has been great, you know, we meet a lot we're in this room right next door a lot. And, you know, there's good chemistry on that staff so far, and that's good. But you know, like, there's a long way to go here. You know, we just started yesterday, like I was saying, but we're we're looking forward to continuing to work together no doubt and AK, he's been good, great guy.
JEROD MAYO
We've put together the 23 playbook. We're a game plan defense, like we always talk about, and we're going to change it up, we have to obviously see what the guys can do during the offseason. Some guys will get better, some guys will get worse as far as personnel is concerned. But at the end of the day, our scheme changes every year.
I think last year, you didn't have a title, you didn't have business cards, do you have a title business?
I don't have a title yet. And I don't have any business cards.
Is your role different?
Um, yeah, there are some things that they allow me to participate in. I'm not exactly sure ...that's a BB question,
What were some of those things, if you could share with us that you were able?
Well, I was in some of the interviews during interview process, which was a great experience for me. The offensive line interviews and also the offensive coordinator. It was good.
What was it about this offseason that made you want to forego the opportunities to be a head coach elsewhere and stay here?
Yeah, it's a great question. You know, I would say first of all, my family's here. Second of all, I will say, I love it here in Boston, I pretty much was raised here at this point, I came here in 2008. It will take a lot for me to leave. But this is where I want to be. I feel the same way from the coaching staff and also from the Kraft family.
Basically, brought the band back at linebacker. How can that unit improve?
Yeah, look, the expectations, we always talk about managing expectations, but at the same time, you know, they have, I have high expectations for him, because they're in the scheme again, like I feel pretty confident about what they're able to do. We have some good athletes at that spot. Hopefully they continue to get better during the spring and we'll see what happens.
When it comes to replacing Devin, I think like the politics, they can't replace a playwright that wouldn't want to play. But how do you guys kind of go about from a communication standpoint, specifically?
Yeah, and look, that's why we're gonna be on the field in a couple of weeks to kind of see, you know, I don't think we are set in any particular way. When I was playing, I was the communicator and then it went to the third level in Devon, he became the communicator. So now we just have to see who really wants to take that role when we get on the field.
How would you describe your feelings about your role and your future going forward?
I'm excited, I'm excited, I'm excited to continue to grow, I'm excited to continue to learn new things, not only X's and O's, that's only a small part of it. I'm just excited. Honestly, I'm just trying to be a sponge and learn as much as I can, when I'm in those meetings that I'm not normally
Jerod what was it like being in on interviews for offensive coordinator,
It was great, you know, it was great. At the end of the day, like most coaches, know x's and o's, you're just trying to get to see if you have a vibe with this guy, you think he will vibe with the players, but it was great.
What has Bill meant to you?
You know, starting in 2008, when he brought me in here, I was pretty raw as far as far as understanding the game from a holistic standpoint. I learned a lot playing I learned a lot on IR three years in a row. Right? So that's probably where my coaching really came into play. And now I just look forward to learning from, you know, learning from Bill, as far as the off-the-field stuff.
Is it awkward at all ever say Hey, Bill, how do you how do you do this?
It's not awkward. He's been an open book.
There's been a similar question with Steve, you guys worked so closely together? How would you describe the working dynamic with the two of them?
Look, Steven, I have a great relationship. And I would say all the coaches, the defensive coaches, we're all on the same page. Nothing really is going to change in that regard. And sometimes Steve's in those meetings sometimes as well. So it's good.
How do you feel like you can still grow as a coach.
Yeah, there's still a lot that I don't know. I'm very aware of that. So it's not only talking to Bill, it's also talking to scouts. It's also talking to the cap guys. It's also talking to the researchers and all that so I have a lot to learn and honestly, that's another reason why I wanted to be here because I feel like we do it right.
Does it surprise you sometimes maybe some of the things that Bill will tell you or show you?
Absolutely, absolutely. And that's both on film and also just how to deal with the management side.
O'Brien being back
BO's great. You know, we came back in the building. I just reminisce of the times when I was a player he was here as the offensive coordinator. I always said he was one of the best trash-talking coaches you will ever see on the football field. So I'm excited to have him back. Absolutely brings the juice, brings the juice and obviously brings great knowledge about them. So I'm excited.
When the average Patriot fan comes up to us and says, What is Jerod's role?
New England never has roles. I mean, honestly, that's what it is the whole role, you know, the whole role thing. And that's not important. As long as I'm growing. I, for me, it's about growth. It's about personal development. And that's what I'm focused on. So I'll be working with a defensive guy and I'll be working with the linebackers again. But honestly, it's pretty fluid, as far as let's call it, you know, the classes, right? The management stuff.
Even a little bit of confusion over the years between beautiful and played between you and Steve, did you want that clarified at all?
Not at all, look, Steve's calling the plays, has done a great job. He's been calling the play since 2019, and I have no complaints or anything like that. Once again, I learned a lot from Steve as well. He's a very smart coach. And he does a good job calling the game so our defense has been pretty good here since the late teens. We'll just try to keep it going.
You said he'll still call the plays?
I'm not sure. But I mean, why would you change something that's not broke?