‘It’s going to take time’: Former Patriots RB James White offered support for embattled Jerod Mayo
"When it comes to saying 'fire this guy, trade that guy,' I don't think we have to get there."
James White urged patience regarding Jerod Mayo: With the Patriots off to a 1-6 start to the season — and the Jerod Mayo era — a former Super Bowl hero has thrown his support behind the embattled head coach.
Mayo labeled his team “soft” following a 32-16 loss to the Jaguars in London in Week 7 in which New England gave up more than 170 rushing yards for the third straight game.
His comments drew a polarizing reaction, even eliciting a dissenting response from former Patriots coach Bill Belichick. Mayo has since clarified that he was specifically referencing his team as having “played soft.”
Yet the speculation about his job status has somehow already begun less than a year into his tenure in New England.
In response to the dramatic reactions to Mayo and his comments, former Patriots running back James White tried to take a more measured tone a recent interview with Taylor Kyles of CLNS.
“I mean when you’re 1-6, things aren’t going right, you can’t score on offense, teams are running over you on defense, people are going to find any little thing that you’re doing is going to be the wrong thing, and they want you to do the opposite of what you’re currently doing,” he explained.
White tried to get fans to take a step back and consider the circumstances for a moment.
“I just think everything’s under the microscope right now, and that’s what happens when you’re losing football games. I think Mayo’s doing a solid job,” he said. He noted that the new coach simply has a different style than his predecessor.
“I just think it’s different. People aren’t used to it. He’s going to be himself,” White said of Mayo. “He can’t and be Bill in the media. Come on, let’s just call it that. He’s not going to be less talkative or less descriptive. Maybe eventually he’ll get to that point, I don’t know. He’s just trying to be himself, and I just think people aren’t really open to that right now because they’re not winning.”
New England is off to its worst start since 1993, when the Patriots opened the season 1-11.
White said the rebuild will take time, and requires patience even when it’s difficult to muster.
“We have to let things play out,” he said. “It’s just the nature of the game. When you’re losing in the NFL, you’re going to hear all sorts of things of what you need to do, what you shouldn’t do. That’s just what comes with it.”
As far as advice for Patriots fans, the three-time Super Bowl winner stressed trying to see the bigger picture.
“Just manage your expectations,” said White. “Most of you probably assumed that we weren’t going to win a ton of football games in the first place. And now that we’re in the situation, everybody’s ready to jump ship. Fire this guy, fire that guy, trade this guy, get rid of this guy. That’s not the way this whole operation works.
“It’s Mayo’s first year as a head coach, let him learn and grow throughout the year. Let these players learn and grow together. You’ve got a rookie quarterback. It looks like his future is bright. Let him grow throughout the year.”
Tough as it is in the context of New England’s decades-long streak of staying among the league’s elite, White thinks Patriots fans need to find something to be optimistic about even amid the losing.
“Just find the positive,” said White. “It may be hard, trying to find the positive in what you see out there every single weekend.”
“I truly think these guys will continue to compete,” he added, “and they will compete harder as the year goes on. It’s tough, it’s not fun. I’m telling you, as a player it’s not fun going into that building after losses, especially after losing six in a row. I mean I’ve never been in that predicament myself, but I can only imagine.”
And as far as calling for Mayo to be fired so quickly into the start of his first head coaching job, White cautioned fans and pundits to pump the brakes.
“You’ve got outside noise, obviously. You’re going to have some noise inside the building too. I think Mayo will do a good job of keeping those guys together,” White concluded. “As fans, as we watch, there’s nothing wrong with being a harsh critic. That is fine, but when it comes to saying ‘fire this guy, trade that guy,’ I don’t think we have to get there. This is year one of this operation. It’s going to take time.”
Trivia: As a senior at Wisconsin, James White combined for 3,053 rushing yards with what future NFL first-round pick?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: This player was drafted by the Chargers.
Scores and schedules:
Tonight, the Celtics will face the Wizards in Washington at 7 p.m.
Also tonight (at 7 p.m.), the Bruins host the Stars at TD Garden.
More from Boston.com:
- Jerod Mayo responds to Bill Belichick’s criticism, social-media posts by players
- Julian Edelman credits Tom Brady for Jets’ current dysfunction
- What can the Bruins do to spark their ice-cold offense this season?
- 5 questions with Colin Barnicle, director of the Netflix docuseries on the 2004 Red Sox
- Pedro Martinez alleges the Yankees bugged Red Sox clubhouse during 2004 ALCS
- Why Giannis Antetokounmpo named Celtics’ Jaylen Brown as NBA’s best player
- Bill Belichick visits Mass. corn maze of himself with reported girlfriend Jordon Hudson
- K.J. Osborn addressed trade rumors after social media post sparks speculation
- Cedric Maxwell was not thrilled with Celtics’ late-game pursuit of 3-point record
A closer look at the rings: The Celtics shared a video showing the step-by-step process of how the team’s championship rings were forged.
On this day: In 2004, the Red Sox won Game 2 of the World Series 6-2 against the Cardinals to take a 2-0 series lead. Curt Schilling, still hobbled by his ankle injury, managed his way through six innings, yielding just one unearned run. In a testament to the team’s depth, Boston won despite getting just a combined 1-for-7 night from David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.
Jason Varitek’s triple gave the Red Sox an early lead in the bottom of the 1st, and additional clutch hits from Mark Bellhorn and Orlando Cabrera plated two runs each. Bill Mueller, despite making three errors at third base, also managed to elevate his defense at times and help Schilling escape multiple jams.
Daily highlight: Vancouver forward Ryan Gauld scored a delightful chip in the MLS Western Conference wild-card matchup on Wednesday. The Whitecaps advanced with a 5-0 rout of Portland.
Trivia answer: Melvin Gordon
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