Head Coach Jerod Mayo 9/8: "Hopefully for the fans, they see what we're trying to build""

Jerod Mayo (0:00)

Well, I thought the guys went out there and competed hard. We talked about establishing the run game and being able to stop their running game, make them one dimensional. We did a good job with that. I'll say we still left a lot of plays out there, but we're gonna enjoy this one on the flight home and get ready for next week. But very proud, you know, my message to the players, you know, they gave me the Gatorade shower and things like that. But, you know, without them, I'm nothing. So, and I made sure they knew that. Like they crossed the white lines. I always talk about empowering the players to go out there and play. I always talk about awareness really being the number one thing and those guys taking ownership. So, you know, all the praise goes to those guys and they did a great job.

SPEAKER_2 (0:38)

Jerod, you've been waiting for this day for quite a while, honestly. What was your day like? And what was it like to walk off that field and go into that locker room with a win?

Jerod Mayo (0:47)

Yeah, the day started off solid, you know, just like in the other day. Walking off the field, though, really getting in that victory formation, you know, just kind of feel the rush over yourself. And I'm going to enjoy this one here for the next couple of hours. But, you know, truth be told, you know, it's whatever you've done for me lately type of business. So time to turn the page. Not trying to rant on anyone's parade, but turn the page and get ready for the next game.

SPEAKER_3 (1:09)

How do you describe the experience, Jerod, making those decisions, you know, facing a fourth down, maybe thinking you might be two down territory? Like, how did you just find this stuff running through your mind and being able to make the decisions?

Jerod Mayo (1:20)

It was just part of, you know, I've been playing football my entire life, and I was a great Madden player back in the day. But I understand situational football. I would also say our staff understand situational football. And, you know, we talk through those things. And like I said, all week, I have to make the ultimate decision and felt good about the way it operated today.

SPEAKER_4 (1:39)

Jerod, what would you say about your defense, the way they played today?

Jerod Mayo (1:41)

Yeah, they came out on fire. We challenged those guys. Everyone's talking about, you know, Sensi's offense and, you know, how explosive they are. And they answered the call. Up front, started up front. All those defensive linemen, you know, those guys did a good job controlling the line of scrimmage. just the second, you know, second level players, the LBs, they did a good job coming downhill. A couple of plays in the pass game. And then really our safeties and corners, those guys did a good job covering. So it was a total unit victory.

SPEAKER_5 (2:07)

Jerod, you talked about the importance of the run game heading into this week.

SPEAKER_2 (2:10)

What did you make of Ramandre's season since?

Jerod Mayo (2:12)

I challenged Ramandre in the spring. I said, look, you don't get a lot of love, a lot of hype, but I've always believed that he's one of the best running backs in the league. And, you know, when we signed him to the extension, there was no one more happy than me because I know what he's capable of. And he showed that today. He can catch the ball at the backfield. He can run, break tackles, and do all those things. So he's a great player.

SPEAKER_6 (2:31)

Jerod, since like January, we talked to you about defense and run game, those two things. Today, you guys kind of hit that formula.

SPEAKER_7 (2:39)

How was it like to kind of see that coming?

Jerod Mayo (2:41)

It was great. It was great. You always come in with a plan. You know, they say God laughs at plans. And what Mike Tyson says, everyone has a plan till you get hit in the mouth. But, you know, in the first half, we're averaging 6.1 yards of carry and able to control, once again, the front. And, you know, defensively, you know, we did a good job against their run game until the second half there are a few runs. But, you know, it started up there. Next one. He has the next one. It's almost like double dutch. Y'all ever see double dutch? We're like hesitating to get in. Next one.

SPEAKER_8 (3:11)

For a moment in the first half, you said we have this sort of coaches not allowing themselves out, I'm sure. For a moment in the first half, you said we got this.