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“I think what I learned the most from Tom is that you have to put in the most effort so that other people can’t question what you’re doing.”
Former Patriots backup quarterback Brian Hoyer described NFL history’s greatest player Tom Brady as a New England signal this week on the Pardon My Take podcast staff with 20 years of experience.
“If they see you doing it,” Hoyer continued. “Everyone has reached this level and I think that’s what builds such a great culture there.”
Fast forward to 2023, the Patriots are 0-2 and current quarterback Mac Jones appears to be struggling. Not essentially his own, but what others are attracted to.
“Definitely have to play better and learn from it,” Jones explained after Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins, a game that pushed his team further down the AFC East standings. “You know, come early and leave late and do it together. I think that’s the most important thing. If a few people do it, obviously it’s not good enough. So we have to put more in and get more out of it.”
Jones has since clarified those comments and insisted he wasn’t questioning his teammates’ motives, but it still sounds like he wants to see everyone perform better:
“Whatever you’re doing, just do more of it,” he told WEEI’s Jones and Mego Monday afternoon. “It’s not like rocket science. If you watch 30 minutes of film, watch it for an hour. If you lift weights for 45 minutes, lift weights for an hour and a half. Whatever you can do when we’re in this situation, you know, That’s how I feel better about everything. You can only put in so much work. There are 24 hours in a day, and 8-10 of them have to be sleep. “All other hours have to be work-related. “
You can’t question the time No. 10 put in. The 2021 first-round pick spent the entire offseason in New England, working with teammates on local high school fields to get the offense started. He is also reportedly one of the few players to practice every day at Gillette Stadium.
It’s not just Jones asking for more support from the Patriots. Captain Javon Bentley also reportedly addressed the club in the dressing room after the defeat, with the message being that they all needed to do more.
The Patriots of the past, a team that won six Super Bowls, were more than just a one-man quarterback show. Their core figures include Julian Edelman, Devin McCourty, Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel, among others. As Hoyer points out, natural leaders have a “no one can work harder than us” attitude. It’s difficult here. You come in every day and Bill makes it as difficult as possible, but it’s the grind that brings us all together. “
Hoyer continued: “I’ve always loved the locker room there. It’s been the tightest locker room I’ve ever been in because, I think, we all suffer together in meetings. When you have meetings with Bill, it’s like 40 minutes of low-light moments. When those lights go out, you’re like, ‘Fuck, what the hell did I screw up yesterday that was going to be played with such low lights.’ I think it established this relationship between us. That bond. “I’m as close to the defensive backs and the defensive line as I am to the receivers and the offensive line, and I think that shows in the way we play. “
What has changed compared to these old teams is (obviously) the quarterback, but also an overall shift in leadership. The current Patriots captains are Jones, Bentley, Matthew Slater, David Andrews, Dietrich Wise Jr. and Hunter Henry, although four of the six have played and won Super Bowl, but this is still a complete overhaul of the franchise from the past. Be sure to win and compete for the AFC Champions League.
When asked again on Wednesday that he and his teammates were “doing more,” Jones said the Patriots “have been talking about intimacy and I think a lot of that comes from a little extra work. That’s what I do to” notice different people. I love reading and watching other athletes – what they do. That’s exactly what a lot of elite athletes do, so. I’m trying to do that, but you can’t put pressure. Things have to happen for you. “
So what’s the solution for this New England team? Is the workload greater? Closer connections? Longer days? Is Belichick as stubborn as ever? Hard to say. But after falling to 0-2, a record that statistically gives them an 11.5% chance of making the playoffs, they should do everything they can to get that train on track.
Including, but not limited to, Mac Jones continues to borrow tactics from Tom Brady. Or, we should call it a workbook.
Please follow Mike is on Twitter @mikekadlickand follow @WEEI Get the latest Patriots and Boston sports news!