Joint practices around the NFL have been plagued by a surge of fights in recent weeks, a situation that has prompted New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo to implement a firm new rule ahead of their upcoming sessions with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mayo's New Rule: Fighting Comes at a Cost
Jerod Mayo, who spent eight seasons as a player with the Patriots before stepping into the role of head coach, has drawn on his on-field experiences to shape his new directive. In a bid to curb unnecessary altercations during joint practices, Mayo has decreed that any starter who engages in a fight will be required to play the entire preseason game. Conversely, non-starters who throw punches will find themselves benched for the duration of the game.
"My message to the players: if you get in a fight out here, if you're a starter, you're going to play the whole preseason game. If you're not a starter, you won't play at all. That's kind of my mindset with that," Mayo stated.
Simulating Real-Game Consequences
Mayo's decision is rooted in the principles of simulating the real-game consequences of fighting, where players face fines or ejections for such behavior. "Look, you don't fight in a real game. If you fight in a real game, you get fined; you get kicked out. It's the same thing here," he added, underscoring his belief in using practical deterrents to maintain discipline and focus within the team.
Preparing for Joint Practices
The upcoming joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles, scheduled for Tuesday, will be a significant test of Mayo's rule. These sessions will be crucial for players from both teams as they strive to secure their places on the roster. Additionally, the Patriots and Eagles are set to face off in a game at Gillette Stadium on Thursday as part of Week 2 of the preseason. This matchup will effectively serve as a litmus test for the new rule's impact on player conduct during practice.
The August heat will add an extra layer of challenge to the joint practice, pushing players’ endurance and focus to the limits. Mayo recalls the value of joint practices from his playing days, noting that they broke up the monotony of camp and fostered team camaraderie. "It really helps you build that camaraderie amongst the group because out here, when you're going against each other, it gets a little stale sometimes. It's always good to go against another team," Mayo reflected.
Maintaining Productivity and Camaraderie
Mayo's approach is designed to ensure that training remains productive and free from the disruptions caused by altercations. By imposing these consequences, he aims to instill a greater sense of responsibility and discipline among the players, emphasizing that fighting has no place in professional football, whether in training or in a real game.
As the Patriots and Eagles prepare to practice together, all eyes will be on how the new rule is received by the players and whether it successfully curtails the recent spate of fights in joint practices. With preseason games carrying significant weight in determining roster spots, the stakes are higher than ever, and Mayo’s directive will be pivotal in maintaining order and focus during these critical training sessions.
The upcoming week is poised to be one of rigorous testing and evaluation, both of individual players and of Mayo’s rule. It's a decisive moment for the Patriots as they look to optimize their practice environment and build a cohesive, disciplined team ready for the challenges of the upcoming NFL season.