5 Questions with Pats Pulpit: Jerod Mayo’s Culture and New England’s QB situation

Cincinnati faces a sneaky-tricky matchup this Sunday.

The Cincinnati Bengals are set to host the New England Patriots in their season and home opener. It’s definitely a favorable matchup, but the Bengals are coming in a little hampered by injuries.

We tapped the knowledge of Pats Pulpits’ Taylor Kyles for an inside scoop.

1.) AC: In somewhat-surprising fashion, New England opted to go with Jacoby Brissett over Drake Maye as the starter. Why and what’s the ceiling on that path?

TK: Jerod Mayo and the coaching staff have stressed the importance of Drake Maye having answers to the issues defenses will present. Though he clearly outplayed Jacoby Brissett late in training camp, the veteran’s experience and knowledge of Alex Van Pelt’s system are crucial.

While still a project, Maye has shown everything Patriots fans could have wanted from him this summer. New England is just taking it easy with his deployment, particularly behind a patchwork offensive line.

2.) AC: What have you seen/heard from Jerod Mayo that makes you think he’ll right the ship, sooner rather than later?

TK: Mayo is known as a player’s coach among fans, but he’s pushed back against that notion. The primary reason is he doesn’t want people thinking he’s soft on his players, and his actions have backed that up.

The team had the most physical training camp we’ve seen in years, and like Bill Belichick, he’s put an emphasis on conditioning and mental toughness. That may not sound like much, but without any game results to go on, it’s clear Mayo is putting in the work to field a disciplined, tough football team.

3.) AC: How have Ja’Lynn Polk and Antonio Gibson settled in to the offense? I was big fans of both when they came into their repective draft classes.

TK: Ja’Lynn Polk is a potential starting candidate for New England after a summer of consistent, solid play. His downfield ability hasn’t been on display as much as I’d hoped, but that’s more on his quarterbacks than his own execution. The rookie is looking like a high-volume target in this offense.

Antonio Gibson fills the receiving back role the Patriots’ offense has sorely lacked since James White’s final season. Van Pelt has also unleashed his versatility by moving the back around the formation and using him as a true dual threat. He’ll be a key piece on Sunday if he’s healthy enough to play.

4.) AC: Can you give any additional, up-close-and-personal tidbits of info on Trent Brown?

TK: Trent Brown is very much his own person, and you have to respect him for that. He didn’t leave New England on great terms and was accused of quitting on the team when things got rocky late last season, but he also voiced displeasure with how the team was being run and how he was treated. When locked in and healthy, Brown is one of the game’s best tackles, but Cincy will have to deal with some quirks along the way.

5.) AC: Is this matchup a simple game of “keep away” and “bleed the clock” for the Pats, or is there more than meets the eye here?

TK: Very much a bleed the clock kinda game. The Patriots’ offense lacks the firepower for a shootout, but their run game has been a sneaky area of strength. I’d imagine their priorities will be keeping Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins sidelined, minimizing Trey Hendrickson’s ability to impact the game, and make this game a rock fight.

Their defense is strong enough to keep things close, but the offense must capitalize on the opportunities that present themselves.

Our thanks to Taylor Kyles and Pats Pulpit for the sit-down. You can check out the other side of our chat here.