Head Coach Jerod Mayo 12/28: "We just didn't play well enough in any phase of the game"

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Jerod Mayo (0:30)

Good evening.

I mean, there's nothing really, this is what I told the players, there's really nothing good to take out of that game today. You know, just the lack of execution, look, that's a good football team, and they're a well-coached football team, we just didn't play well enough in any phase of the game, no complimentary football, and that's what you get. Fire away.

SPEAKER_6 (0:53)

Jerod, after what you guys were able to do in Buffalo, a short week and a lot of talk about, you know, coming out strong, how disappointing, frustrating, surprising is this effort from your team today?

Jerod Mayo (1:05)

It's very disappointing, and it comes back to consistency. I mean, that's what it is, consistency.

SPEAKER_7 (1:14)

Jerod, before the game, you said on the radio that Antonio Gibson would start at running back, and then Ramon Dre was on the field. What went into the last-minute change there?

Jerod Mayo (1:22)

That was just the coach's decision. Coach's decision.

Mike (1:26)

Can I just follow up on that, Jerod? Did something change from the time you did the interview to the game to lead that, or was there a miscommunication that maybe the message wasn't handed down?

Jerod Mayo (1:38)

I understand your question, Mike. Look, it's the coach's decision. That's why I'll leave it at that.

SPEAKER_9 (1:45)

Jerod, you and DeMarcus have described your defensive struggles this year to fundamentals, run fits and tackling. The Chargers just became the third team to score their season high and points against you. So it looks like the defense has regressed. What gives you confidence that this defensive coaching staff is suited to develop this defense next season?

Jerod Mayo (2:01)

Look, I have nothing but confidence in the coaching staff, and we'll get better, and it's part of what we have to do. So I have to look at the film to see what some of those things that you're talking about happen on the field. But we have to get better.

SPEAKER_10 (2:13)

Jerod, just curious, I do see Drake over there, but obviously Drake has suffered the head injury, had to be evaluated for one in the first quarter. You guys are down by 30 in the fourth quarter, and you sent him out there for two drives. How much thought was there to pulling him from that game down 30 and trying to protect him?

Jerod Mayo (2:29)

Again, look, we're trying to develop a quarterback, and he wants to play as a competitor, and we're not there.

SPEAKER_11 (2:36)

Jerod, with one game left, how much pressure do you feel, and do you feel like you and your coordinators are coaching for your jobs?

Jerod Mayo (2:45)

Look, I'm always under pressure, and it's been that way for a very long time, not just when I became a head coach of the Patriots. I'm OK. Look, and again, I always do what's best for the team.

SPEAKER_12 (2:55)

Jerod, the fans at home have never been shy about expressing their thoughts about the team. We've heard it with Mack, and we've heard it with Bailey. Were you cognizant of the chance that were being directed at you towards the end of the game today?

Jerod Mayo (3:06)

Look, you hear those things, but at the same time, they paid to sit in the seats, and we've got to play better. If we play better, we don't have to hear that stuff.

SPEAKER_1 (3:16)

Jerod, can you describe for us the play where there was the fumble on the pitch from Drake, and what was the design of that play?

Jerod Mayo (3:25)

Yeah, look, I have to watch the film to see what exactly happened, but just the exchange obviously was the problem there. Yeah, it was a turn over.

SPEAKER_4 (3:32)

Jerod, a consistent message with you each week has been, we have to get better, we have to get better, we have to pick things up. Obviously, it feels like this may be trending in the wrong direction. Do you see it that way, and what point do you feel like you need to see it get better?