FOXBORO, Mass. — A lot happens when you cover the New England Patriots throughout the week.
You get at least three Jerod Mayo news conferences, a presser with the starting quarterback, multiple locker room availabilities, and access to a few practices. Some takeaways become individual stories, while other quotes and nuggets are left on the cutting room floor.
With that in mind, my Patriots notebook publishing Friday for the rest of the season rolls on. These pieces mostly focus on top Patriots storylines and leftovers from each week but also include a non-football thought or two — because I’m a dork who likes to talk about other stuff.
So, let’s get into it.
How Could Alex Van Pelt Possibly Not Know About Marcus Jones Playing Offense?
If you watch a highlight reel from the 2022 Patriots season, chances are that clip will include cornerback Marcus Jones’ catch-and-run touchdown against the Buffalo Bills. In fact, if you YouTube search for Jones’ top NFL highlights, most videos will feature multiple offensive plays from that season.
Yet, through the first nine weeks of the 2024 season, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt had no idea that Jones had played on offense. How can that be?
Jones played two snaps on offense in last Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams, taking one carry for five yards. On Thursday (Nov. 21), Van Pelt revealed the slot cornerback texted him prior to the Week 10 game against the Chicago Bears to let him know he was willing to play on offense.
Initially, there wasn’t any problem. Van Pelt, who at first didn’t realize who was texting him, was giving reporters a harmless story to write about late in the week.
“I got a text from Marcus Jones,” Van Pelt said. “And I’m going back in my mind like, ‘Marcus would just come and talk to me in the building, I would think. So, I was googling Marcus Joneses and there was a guy who came through Green Bay for a cup of coffee, and I was like, ‘Why would he be texting me?’ Then one of our coaches came and said Marcus is trying to get a hold of you.”
Van Pelt then said he told Jones the Patriots were too far into Bears prep to put together a package but that something would be ready for the following week.
“Always want guys that are self-starters, want to be part of it,” Van Pelt said. “So, really appreciative for him to offer his duties up to us on the offensive side.
Again, no problem. Kind of a goofy story, and you could quibble with whether coaches should grant such requests, but it was a relatively innocuous anecdote.
EXCLUSIVE: Marcus Jones discusses directly asking Alex Van Pelt to be involved in the offense. Will we see more of him in Week 12?
NEW @PatsInterferenc⬇️
⚡️ by @PrizePicks & @Gametime pic.twitter.com/IMmFhBQIz5
— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) November 22, 2024
Then Van Pelt really stepped in it, so to speak.
When a reporter why the Patriots hadn’t played Jones on offense earlier in the season, Van Pelt offered a stunning answer.
“That was the first it had come to my attention that he had played offensive plays,” Van Pelt said.
Wait… What?!?
You could argue Jones is the Patriots’ most explosive offensive talent aside from DeMario Douglas. That much was obvious when Jones — *checks notes* — played 18 snaps on offense in 2022.
But New England’s offensive coordinator was completely unaware that Jones offered such two-way value. Predictably, Van Pelt’s comments led to hours of harsh commentary from Boston radio hosts eager to tear apart the Patriots’ much-maligned offensive leadership. A humorous, fun story turned into an embarrassment for a coaching staff already dealing with job security rumors.
“I knew this question was coming,” Mayo said Friday morning when asked about the controversy. Mayo then deflected the issue while saying the Patriots’ focus was on preparing Jones for defense and not “gadget” plays on offense, or something. He never offered a concrete explanation for why the subject hadn’t been broached with Van Pelt.
Jerod Mayo on Alex Van Pelt seemingly not knowing DB/Returner Marcus Jones can play offense too. @wbz @patriots pic.twitter.com/D2eWyGWDCv
— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) November 22, 2024
So, is the criticism warranted?
In my opinion, it absolutely is, although I don’t place too much blame on Van Pelt.
I can see how Van Pelt, who was hired late in last offseason’s hiring cycle, mostly ignored the 2022 film and instead focused on the 2023 season, when Jones played just one offensive snap and missed most of the campaign due to an injury. He thought he had a clear picture of the offensive personnel to work with and had to prepare for the draft.
Van Pelt was operating in a vacuum and understandably didn’t consider asking whether any cornerbacks could play offense.
However, what I can’t see is how the handful of current Patriots coaches who were on the staff in 2022 never mentioned Jones’ offensive abilities to Van Pelt — not once.
Mayo was on the staff in 2022. So were defensive coordinator (then D-line coach) DeMarcus Covington, safeties coach Brian Belichick, and cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino, who spends more time with Jones than anyone. Analytics-focused offensive assistant Evan Rothstein was also around.
Oh, and get this: Tyler Hughes, the current top receivers coach, was on the 2022 staff as an offensive analyst. He, too, never thought to mention Jones to Van Pelt. And I’m not even factoring in top personnel executives Eliot Wolf and Matt Groh, who drafted Jones.
None of this is to say that Van Pelt is blameless. I’m not a draft nerd, and even I was aware of Jones’ dual-threat talents before the 2022 NFL Draft. It’s surprising that Van Pelt was totally clueless.
Still, in my opinion, it’s a far bigger deal that Mayo and the other staffers never brought it up even in passing. I’m really not into comparing Mayo to Bill Belichick because it’s way too early for that, but it’s fair in this case.
Could you imagine Belichick hiring a new offensive coordinator last offseason and not at least letting them know that Jones was one of the tools in the offensive toolbox? You don’t need to be the greatest coach in NFL history to relay such basic information.
My two cents: I don't blame Van Pelt too much for this.
To me, the far bigger issue is
Jerod Mayo, DeMarcus Covington, Mike Pellegrino, Brian Belichick and Evan Rothstein all were on the staff in 2022 when Jones played 18 snaps on offense. How did none of them mention it once? https://t.co/XYmvPA3cfK— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) November 21, 2024
People shouldn’t get too carried away with reactions to this story. This doesn’t mean that Mayo, Van Pelt, or any of the assistants are bad coaches or aren’t fully committed to their jobs.
What it could mean, however, is that this staff isn’t dialed in on the details nearly as much as it should be. It could be another indication that the group is in over its head and allowing too many details to slip through the cracks. And, given the importance of developing Maye, no offensive stone should be left unturned.
No matter how you slice it, Van Pelt being unaware of Jones’ history on offense represents some level of coaching malpractice.
Cole Strange Has New Perspective After Lengthy Injury Rehab
Let’s do a feel-good story now, shall we?
Offensive lineman Cole Strange practiced this week for the first time since tearing his patellar tendon last December. While speaking with reporters on Thursday (Nov. 21), the 2022 first-round pick offered candid takeaways from his long, difficult rehab.
“It’s been a lot longer than I wanted it to be,” Strange said. “Honestly, it’s been really tough and really aggravating. It’s been a good perspective. I would never have wanted this to happen, but the silver lining is it gave me a new perspective, and I’m more appreciative of where I am. I feel really good going forward.
” … I learned that I need football more than I thought I did. Not having it, I didn’t like that at all.”
Early in his recovery, Strange questioned whether he’d ever play again. He even had to relearn how to walk.
“I couldn’t go to the bathroom by myself so I was like, ‘How the hell am I going to get back to playing in the NFL,'” Strange recalled. ” … It was crazy. I felt like a baby deer. It was awkward as hell.”
#Patriots Cole Strange opens up about his injury recovery and a newfound appreciation for baby deer https://t.co/wH4JgfU516 pic.twitter.com/Mt092WNM3P
— WBZ Boston Sports (@wbzsports) November 21, 2024
After Strange suffered his injury, Belichick said he was playing the best football of his career. Strange, who struggled for much of his rookie campaign, agreed with his former head coach’s assessment.
“It was very frustrating because I felt the same way,” Strange said. “I felt like, for the first time being in the league, I’d kind of gotten into the swing of things. My rookie year, I felt I got better and at the end of the year, I was playing better. And then last year, I was injured on and off throughout the year. But then there at the end, I just felt like it kind of clicked with me.
“So, it was extremely aggravating. But it is what it is, and here we are.”
After Strange left his news conference, I followed up in the locker room to ask whether he’d received any advice from Mayo, who also suffered a torn patellar tendon during his career.
“We didn’t ever talk about it,” he said. ” … But I think it did help in the sense that he knew exactly what I was going through because he went through it.”
Patellar injuries aren’t nearly as common as other major knee injuries, such as torn ACLs or torn MCLs. That left Strange with few people to turn to other than members of New England’s training staff.
“I don’t know anyone else who [tore a patellar tendon],” he said. “I probably would have [reached out] if I did know. I don’t think it’s as common.”
Did that leave Strange feeling like he was on an island?
“I think I did feel a little bit that way at first,” he said. “But my trainers, my [physical therapists], and strength coaches were all very adamant that the rehab for this is similar to an ACL and that it’s a straightforward rehab. It’s long, but it’s not complicated.”
Strange started 27 games at left guard over his first two seasons. But Strange has some experience at center, and he’s been working with David Andrews since last summer to learn how to play center in New England’s offense.
“I feel comfortable with it, I just need to get practice reps,” he told reporters. “I’m more comfortable at guard because I’ve been there longer. But it’s been a fun challenge… David being a leader on the team and a center himself of 10 years — he helped me out my rookie year and last year as well. Working drills, it’s been helpful.”
Mayo and Van Pelt both have said that Strange will work at guard and center in the near term. And, given the Patriots’ current issues at left guard, Strange’s quickest path toward playing in games probably will be through his traditional position.
However, long term, the Patriots are developing Strange to be the center of the future. His potential move to center will be one of the more interesting storylines to follow next summer.
Kendrick Bourne Ready To Exorcise Demons in Miami
When the Patriots visit the Miami Dolphins in Week 12, Kendrick Bourne will take the same field where he tore his ACL last October. The veteran receiver plans to exorcise some demons.
“I got hurt last year, so I’m going to go to the spot I was at, and kind of talk to (the field), you know, ‘Leave me alone,'” Bourne said with a laugh. “Just embrace the environment. It’s going to be loud, it’s going to be different.”
Will Bourne pull a Kyrie Irving and burn sage before kickoff?
“Nah, nah, nah — no sage,” he said.
Kendrick Bourne on returning to Miami, where he tore his ACL last season:
"I got hurt last year, so I'm going to go to the spot I was at, and kind of talk to (the field), you know, 'Leave me alone.' Just embrace the environment. It's going to be loud, it's going to be different" pic.twitter.com/4HGR2uj07N
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) November 20, 2024
Bourne revealed that his mother recently sent a photo of him wearing a knee brace to remind him of the progress he’d made.
“I’m just very thankful,” Bourne said. “It was a journey. And when I think about it, it’s just heartwarming to be back. … It’s definitely awesome to just be healthy. Every time I leave the field now, it feels different. It’s a blessing to make it off every time — practice and game. Every time it’s a different story.”
Was Drake Maye or DeMario Douglas To Blame for Game-Ending Interception?
Maye’s game-ending interception against the Rams in Week 11 was debated throughout the week.
Was Maye wrong to assume DeMario Douglas would sit down on his route, or was Douglas, who never turned his head around, wrong to split the safeties and go for a home-run play?
KAM SAID BALL GAME!
📺: @NFLonFOX | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/zODAJV4LWs
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 17, 2024
Maye, Douglas, and Mayo all wrote it off as a miscommunication during postgame media availabilities. However, Douglas indicated he thought he did the right thing, and I thought Maye made the wrong decision.
Van Pelt’s take? Maye did what he was supposed to do.
“We were trying to put stress on the safety,” Van Pelt said Thursday (Nov. 21). “So that’s a two-on-one ball on the safety. It’s something we talked about, just wanting to be on the same page with Pop as far as when that ball was going to come up. I think the read was right. I think if Pop looks a little bit earlier, he gets back and catches the ball.”
Van Pelt added: “The ball went to the right spot. I just think they weren’t on the same page.”
That settles that.
Defending ‘Eye Candy’ From Dolphins’ Offense
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel loves motion. Since McDaniel became head coach in 2022, Miami has ranked near or at the top of the league in pre-snap motion and motion at the snap.
Poetry in motion@Tua finds @Easymoney_81 for 6️⃣! pic.twitter.com/HXZX24qro3
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) November 17, 2024
But what’s the point?
Sure, some of the motion is part of scheming ways to get receivers open and make easy reads for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. However, much of the time, Dolphins plays are just running around hoping to confuse and distract opposing defenses.
“Not allowing that to affect your eyes,” Keion White said of dealing with Miami’s motion. “A big thing is just reading your keys and playing your keys. A lot of times, they’ll dress things up just to get to what they’re gonna do anyway and their final picture. A lot of times, they just wanna disguise you from what it’s gonna be at the end.”
Covington offered a similar take during his Thursday news conference.
“A lot of it is really eye-candy motion,” Covington said. “Just trying to really distract you from what they’re really trying to do. And it’s going around the league now, too. Where you see they build formations, create formations, start off in one set, end in another set. And then just trying to give what we call eye-candy motion to try to distract your eyes.”
” … Just gotta be disciplined.”
The Dolphins are 4-1 against the Patriots since hiring McDaniel. To this point, understanding the method behind McDaniel’s madness hasn’t helped New England’s defense slow down Miami’s offense.
Non-Football Thought No. 1: The Great Bluesky Migration
If you were on Twitter/X the last couple of weeks, you probably saw a bunch of media professionals announcing their move to Bluesky, a social media app created by former Twitter CEO and founder Jack Dorsey.
Basically, Bluesky is a Twitter clone that some hope will foster less antagonistic, politically driven conversations than what’s become the norm on X. And maybe Bluesky truly will become a worthwhile alternative. We’ll see.
However, I find it hard to believe Bluesky ever will replace X as the go-to place for breaking news. If a major news event, sports or otherwise, happens next week, everyone will go to X for the latest updates.
The only way that will change is if major news sources decide to post solely on Bluesky. If Adam Schefter or Shams Charania decide to permanently leave X and break all their news on Bluesky, there could be a real shift in the sports media industry.
But what would be their incentive to do that? The majority of their audience is on X, and their job is to present their news to as large of an audience as possible. And it’s not like Bluesky is going to start signing journalists to exclusivity deals.
Maybe I’m wrong. But it’s hard not to view this entire thing as a giant waste of time, much like the failed attempt to make Threads a thing in 2023.
Non-Football Thought No. 2: Song of the Week
The pick this week is “Hacienda” by Alex Cameron.
Don’t really have much to add here. Cameron does an awesome job of blending hilarious lyrics with serious, dark themes and presenting it all in a fun but sophisticated package. Good luck not repeating “Countdown to Diabetes” all day after listening to this song.