“We’ve got to play better, man,” Brissett stated after Sunday’s recreation. “There’s no magic thing that we need to do. We’ve just got to play better. We’ve got to execute better. We’ve got to play with good fundamentals better. We’ve got to do all the little things better.”
Brissett completed 18 of 34 for 160 yards passing. He was sacked twice and hit 9 instances, which statistically is par for the course as he has labored behind an inconsistent offensive line this season.
Through 5 video games, Brissett has been sacked 17 instances, third-most in the NFL. He’s on tempo to be sacked 58 instances, which might fall one wanting the franchise document. (Tony Eason was sacked 59 instances in 1984.) And the Patriots have allowed sacks on 13.29 p.c of their dropbacks, the third-highest quantity in the league.
However, Mayo complimented the work of the offensive line — and should have mildly indicted Brissett’s penchant for holding on to the soccer too lengthy — by saying it “did a pretty good job” holding the Dolphins at bay.
“Obviously, there was pressure throughout the day, but there were also some pockets that seemed pretty clean,” stated Mayo, who began the fifth totally different offensive line mixture in 5 video games. “You have to marry it all up as you evaluate. The quarterback spot is like the offensive line: on a per-play basis. But I did think they showed some fight yesterday.”
Mayo talked about earlier this yr that Maye was receiving roughly 30 p.c of the first-team work in apply, an atypical share for a backup quarterback. However, Maye’s solely recreation reps this season have come in a 24-3 loss to the Jets final month, when he ended up 4 of 8 for 22 yards and a pair of sacks in reduction of Brissett.
Over the final month, regardless of the offensive struggles (the Patriots have averaged 8.7 factors per recreation the final three weeks), Mayo has often began the week with a public present of assist for Brissett, saying the veteran will stay the beginning signal-caller.
On Monday, Mayo was extra muted.
“My messaging is that every single week — I should say every single day — we’re all being evaluated,” stated the first-year head coach. “And it’s no different now. That’s kind of how I see it.”
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne left little doubt as to how he feels.
“Personally, as a receiver, it’s just about getting open the best I can for whoever’s out there,” he stated. “I’ve played with multiple quarterbacks in my career, and just trying to be the best I can for the quarterback.
“Not trying to point the finger, not trying to look outside of what I can do, controlling what I can control. Honestly, just trusting Mayo’s and Eliot [Wolf’s] belief and process in what we’re trying to build for the future. So if this is what they think is best, then I believe in it. So Jacoby’s our guy, and that’s who I’m riding with.”
The need from some corners to begin Maye, the third general decide in the draft, is underscored by the current successes of No. 1 decide Caleb Williams in Chicago and second general selection Jayden Daniels in Washington. Williams has thrown 5 landing passes over the past three weeks as the Bears have gained two of their final three. And Daniels has six whole touchdowns (4 passing and two speeding) as the Commanders have jumped to a 4-1 begin.
Meanwhile, Maye continues to take a seat and wait.
“I watch those guys on film,” Mayo stated. “I would say each situation is unique, and so is our situation. I think you hit it on the head, those guys, it was a little bumpy at first, Jayden Daniels aside.
“But those guys are playing at a high level. It’s natural for fans and for the media to say, ‘Well, we have a good quarterback waiting in the wings as well.’ But at the same time, our mentality is how do we develop him? How do we get the guys on the field around him to develop? And move forward from there.”
Mayo was requested if he would talk about with the teaching workers whether or not the Patriots would contemplate beginning Maye this weekend towards the Texans.
“We’re in a solution-driven business and we aren’t playing good football,” Mayo stated. “We have to look at every single unit and every single player and figure out how we use this roster to go out there and win games.”
Christopher Price may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @cpriceglobe.