A year ago at this time, Jerod Mayo was working at Optum and appearing on NBC Sports Boston programming.
Now, he's the inside linebackers coach for the Patriots and appears to be heavily involved in calling the defensive plays.
"I'm enjoying the new job," he said on a conference call Tuesday. "Every day is a different day. I'm enjoying being back around the guys, and honestly, it's always fun winning games, especially when the guys go out there and play well. It makes for an enjoyable experience. So far, so good."
While some have deemed Mayo the defensive play-caller, he said all of the coaching staff is involved, including Bill Belichick.
"We have the benefit of having Coach Belichick in the room with us each and every day, which is a benefit to all the coaches, especially having a young coaching staff," he said. "Definitely a learning experience, a collaborative experience, and I think all the coaches put in, as far as game planning goes."
Mayo also said being in the media for a few years, he understands how hard it can be covering the Patriots on a daily basis.
"Absolutely," he said. "When I was on TV, I didn't have to interview a lot of players, but I would go down to the Super Bowl sometimes and have to interview guys, and I know just how hard it is sometimes to get guys to answer questions. So, I try to answer these questions with full transparency, and hopefully I'm informative to you guys because I know how difficult it is for you guys to do your jobs on a day-in, day-out basis, especially the local media who see the same guys each and every day. Definitely a different level of respect for you guys."
Mayo and the Patriots will take on the Bills Sunday afternoon in Buffalo.
