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What we learned: Pats players send mixed messages after Chargers debacle originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
FOXBORO — There was plenty to be learned from the Patriots’ 40-7 loss to the Chargers on Saturday. Unfortunately for Robert Kraft’s club, none of it was good.
Let’s get to the details…
Questions abound
While Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been committed to Jerod Mayo as the team’s long-term answer at head coach — and in my opinion Mayo will be back in 2025 — Saturday’s defeat is the kind of loss that should have ownership asking serious questions about its future. The Patriots were out-played, out-coached, and the effort at times late in the contest was questionable.
Combine the lopsided outcome with a sparse Gillette Stadium crowd, fans making their displeasure with Mayo known — some chanted “Fire Mayo” late — and one notable player questioning his fit in the Patriots’ scheme? You have a recipe for widespread second-guessing of the decisions made at the highest levels of the organization.
Even if Mayo is back next season, that loss could certainly cast doubt upon others on his staff.
A failure to communicate
There seemed to be another instance of botched communication Saturday between Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.
After Mayo told multiple media outlets pregame — including 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Scott Zolak not long before kickoff — that running back Rhamondre Stevenson would not start in the game, the fourth-year back started. Antonio Gibson, whom Mayo said would start, was on the bench. After the game, Gibson told ABC 6 in Providence that he hadn’t been told he would start.
It made sense for Gibson to play over Stevenson. He had the better game in Buffalo the week prior, and Stevenson was involved in two turnovers against the Bills that helped change the course of that game.
Why, then, didn’t things go the way Mayo said they would? Did Mayo not communicate his desires properly to Van Pelt? Did Van Pelt get the message and willfully…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/learned-pats-players-send-mixed-145542414.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2024-12-29 14:55:00
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