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‘Just give it time’: James White preached patience regarding Patriots’ Jerod Mayo
"Mayo has to be himself, he’s going to do things differently."
James White’s take on Jerod Mayo: In 2024, the Patriots are being led by a person not named Bill Belichick for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century.
Jerod Mayo, selected to be Belichick’s successor after the 2023 season, has trudged through difficult circumstances in his first season as an NFL head coach, beset by an understrength roster and grappling with the challenges of starting a rookie quarterback. The results thus far have been underwhelming at 3-9, but arguably no more than what was expected in preseason.
Mayo has come under frequent criticism, though as a former Patriots player (and team leader) prior to his time as a coach, the 38-year-old ex-linebacker can count on the support of a few former teammates.
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James White is among the group of dynasty-era Patriots to publicly support Mayo. During a series of social media posts on Monday, he defended Mayo’s role so far (and his potential for the future).
After initially engaging with the reports that Patriots players were unmoved by Sunday’s loss (a report that both Mayo and New England tight end Hunter Henry disputed), White replied to a few posts knocking Mayo.
“Mayo is fine, just give it time,” he wrote after a user replied to him claiming “Mayo isn’t a [head coach].”
Fellow former Patriot Devin McCourty replied to the post joking that fans seem to expect “17-0 or nothing.”
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Having played for Belichick, White can obviously understand the mentality of fans having trouble adapting to a new coach. Yet as he pointed out, Mayo is simply following the regular trajectory of someone in their first season being a head coach.
“Mayo has to be himself, he’s going to do things differently,” White explained. “We are all just used to things being done a certain way for so long.”
Trivia: In James White’s final season in college, he tallied 1,444 yards for Wisconsin, but wasn’t the team’s leading rusher. Can you name the running back who did lead the Badgers in rushing yards that season?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He was a first-round pick.
Scores and schedules:
The Celtics celebrated the return of center Kristaps Porzingis to the lineup after months of rehab following offseason surgery with a dominant 126-94 win over the Clippers.
The Bruins host the Canucks tonight at 7 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
- Kristaps Porzingis returns from injury as Celtics romp over Clippers: 9 takeaways
- Jerod Mayo responded to accusation that he’s ‘coaching scared’
- Ken Rosenthal suggests Triston Casas trade to Mariners for pitching help
- MLB insider: Red Sox linked to several top free agents, including slugging infielder
- Patriots’ Jabrill Peppers’s trial scheduled for January, but he could be playing this Sunday
- Revolution begin making roster moves in what is expected to be an active offseason
- What Drake Maye said about toughest Patriots teammates, turnover issues in Miami
- Jerod Mayo, Hunter Henry dispute reports of ‘unbothered’ Patriots locker room after loss to Dolphins
Kristaps Porzingis after his return: The Celtics’ center discussed his experience rehabbing prior to his Monday night return to the lineup.
On this day: In 1995, the Patriots scored 22 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to rally past the Bills, 35-25.
Daily highlight: Ja Morant threw down one of the dunks of the season on Monday night.
Trivia answer: Melvin Gordon
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