Head Coach Jerod Mayo on WEEI 11/11: "They seized the opportunity and controlled the game"

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Jerod Mayo (0:30)

It was good to go out there and get the win. And I thought the guys really went out there and played well. You know, as a coach, sometimes it's all about just giving those guys the opportunity and they went out there and seize that opportunity and control the game.

SPEAKER_5 (0:42)

A compliment earlier this morning on this show from Boomer, Asaiasin, who said, seemed like you guys put together the perfect game plan for this one.

Jerod Mayo (0:50)

So, yeah, so, you know, shout out to the coordinators, you know, the coordinators, you know, they work hard and I would say the position coaches, the assistant coaches, they all put a lot of hours in it. It doesn't always culminate to a win, but as I've always said, we try to get better each and every week and that's not only for the players, but also the coaches.

SPEAKER_6 (1:07)

Jerod, one of the things that really stood out yesterday, obviously, the ability to get to the quarterback and get sacks, but the ability to not have any off-script plays where Caleb Williams has done a good job of that this season, but making sure there were none of those that ultimately led to big plays.

Jerod Mayo (1:24)

Yeah, you know, those off-script plays are always difficult to handle, and to have an athletic quarterback like Caleb, who I do, I said this after the game, I think he's going to be a very special player in this league, but to be able to contain him and keep him in the pocket was definitely a challenge, and that was one of the targets this week, and the guys hit it.

SPEAKER_7 (1:41)

Jerod, it did seem like Drake and Booty have become this kind of tangent, that's their connections really growing. So for you, have you seen that during practice, or how has that grown, and where do you see that going?

Jerod Mayo (1:53)

I would say with all the receivers, that connection continues to grow. You have to remember, it's only been, I mean, how many weeks has Drake really started? So you'll continue to see that progress amongst all those guys, but Booty's done a good job for us, and he's definitely been one of those guys that has grown from last year to this year, and it's exciting to see.

Curtis (2:12)

Drake has obviously taken more of a vocal leadership role. We heard about that after the game, about addressing the team. It seems to me from afar that as Drake has assumed the leadership role in the offense, there's been less squawking by those on it.

Jerod Mayo (2:27)

He's addressed the team?

Curtis (2:29)

That's what they said on the broadcast yesterday.

SPEAKER_5 (2:31)

They said this week he was frustrated or didn't think things were going the way it should have gone practice-wise and asked if he could talk to the offense. Is that not accurate reporting?

Jerod Mayo (2:42)

No, he said the team. I'm just trying to figure out.

Curtis (2:44)

Oh, to the offense, sorry, the offense itself. Is there a correlation between Drake's leadership role and guys on the offense taking ownership of their specific roles without talking about others?

Jerod Mayo (2:56)

Yeah, they all have to be accountable. That's part of his evolution and he's doing a good job.

SPEAKER_6 (3:01)

Jerod, one of the things that we saw, obviously we saw some pressures from your second level, your linebackers, your cornerback safeties, that type of thing. Was that something that you guys were going in with a game plan to confuse Caleb Williams to have him see a lot of guys and then at times you were bringing those guys? Is that something that was part of your game plan headed into it?

Jerod Mayo (3:22)

100%. And again, he's a very athletic guy, so our second and third level players are faster guys. In saying that, I would say our first level guys did a good job really collapsing the pocket.