jones and mego: patriots qb mac jones joins the show
Mac Jones attempted just nine passes for the Patriots during the 2023 preseason. He completed six of them for 52 yards. He was also sacked twice as he stood behind a makeshift offensive line that included several rookies and a journeyman tackle.
Despite the limited reps and the question marks with the protection in front of him, New England’s signal caller sounds like both he and his teammates are good to go for the regular season. Here’s what he told WEEI’s Jones and Mego on Monday afternoon:
"I do think we’re ready,” the quarterback said. “I think the preseason is a great time to kind of, get everybody together, try new things, work with different guys, throw to different receivers, use different offensive linemen, so that’s always something I look forward to in the preseason. Felt like we got a lot of good work in in that regard.”
In preparation for the Philadephia Eagles and their dominant defensive front in week one, Jones told the show what he’s focused on doing to avoid the pressure:
“The Eagles are definitely a team that has both (good inside and outside rushers),” he explained. “We haven’t really focused too much on that we’re kind of still working through a lot of stuff on our part like what are we going to do schematically to just get better these next couple days… You have to really understand how to get the ball out, when you need to throw it, who you need to throw it to, reading coverage quicker, all those things.”
He continued:
“I think as a quarterback you always want to be on time,” said Jones. “Try to get the ball out to the skills players as quickly as you can. I think that’s super important because they make the yards. The offensive line has to do a good job of blocking up front, and I know they will. You kind of just have to trust everybody, stick to your rules, stick to what you know, get the ball out to the person that it’s supposed to go to.”
New England’s quarterback room lost a player on Monday as the team cut veteran Trace McSorley. NFL rosters have to be cut down to 53 players by Tuesday at 4 p.m. something Jones doesn’t take lightly:
“Obviously it’s the tough part, this day,” New England’s QB said of his teammates release. “Obviously Trace was a great addition to our room. He definitely helped me a lot, he’s an older quarterback, played on a few different teams, definitely learned a lot from him and wish him nothing but the best and all that. It’s definitely a tough day, but you kind of just have to support your teammates and realize that these guys are people too. You never know when your last snap is gonig to be. You just hope they get another chance.”
Jones also discussed Mike Gesicki living in his basement, Ronnie Perkins puking during the preseason, and more on Monday’s edition of Jones and Mego. Listen to the full interview here.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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