gresh & fauria: Patriots TE Mike Gesicki on what he's learned from Bill Belichick
When Boston Sports Journal's Greg Bedard reported last month that linebackers coach Jerod Mayo has "rubbed at least some people the wrong way" in the Patriots' building since his contract extension last offseason, some began to wonder if the former defender's chances to be New England's next head coach were shrinking.
During his media availability on Tuesday, Mayo himself was asked about the report. Here's what he had to say:
"I appreciate you asking that," the 37-year-old assistant said. "Honestly, I try to stay out of reading a lot of the articles and things during the year. Obviously, there are ups and downs and seasonality that kind of play a part in life and also in football. Honestly, when that report came out my brother sent it to me. It was more hurtful than anything."
Mayo continued: "I found it to be, well, the timing was a little bit weird in my opinion. And, if that was the case, I feel like this would've been leaked sometime earlier. At the same time, I try to treat everyone the same way. And I will say this: I thought about it for a while. When people talk about 'rubbing people the wrong way' obviously... That's part of the job of being a leader, is to rub people the wrong way. And I always try to be constructive and respectful in my feedback. And some people appreciate that transparency and some don't."
"But at the end of the day," he professed. "If we can't rub people the wrong way, how do expect to be the best that you can be? And I would say anytime there's change or anything like that, like, it's gonna be painful. Someone's gonna rub you the wrong way. At the end of the day, you have to look through all the words and really get to the substance, or get to the meat and potatoes of what that person is trying to say."
Mayo also said that the report helped him as a coach:
"So, it actually helped me," he explained. "It kind of triggered a period of self-reflection. And I know it's recent, I think it's like a week old at this point but it triggered an opportunity for self-reflection. And we all have blind spots, and maybe that's one of my blind spots. But at the end of the day, hopefully, whoever put that story out is man or woman enough to bring it to my attention to have a conversation."
Mayo was then asked how he processed the report. Here's his full answer:
"I think that's a great question. Once again, it wasn't-- I went through the whole emotional, just, like, cycle. First of all, being angry. Angry at the point where, you know, I've felt like I always treat people the same. I really haven't changed in regards to that. And I have evolved as a coach, I have evolved as a man in my mid-30s. But at the same time, I would just hope that going forward, those people gave me an opportunity to explain myself and also an opportunity to try to get on the same track.
"At the end of the day, though, some people are gonna like you, and some people aren't. And I'm OK with that. Some reporters are gonna like you, some reporters aren't. Some players are gonna like you, and some players aren't. But I would hope there would be a mutual level of respect. A level of respect with the media, a level of respect with the coaches, and also the players. And you know, when it's all said and done, I think the players understand that we, as a coaching staff, are trying to put them in the best possible position to go out there and execute.
"And then from a coaching perspective, I only want people around me that are going to tell me the truth. I don't want to be trapped in an echo chamber or things like that, because we all have blind spots... You have a blind spot, I'm sure. I'm sure you didn't know that there are things that you need to improve on, things that you just don't know that you need to improve on. But you would hope that through building relationships, that people were very open about it, having those 1 on 1 conversations. "But honestly, when those sources come out, it's like, you look around, like, 'Who would say something like that?' But at the end of the day, it is what it is, and I've taken that in and tried to absorb it. I went through the whole emotional roller coaster and am trying to push forward."
Given that Mayo was deemed "a strong candidate to be [Bill Belichick's] heir apparent," by team owner Robert Kraft last March, his comments on the report are noteworthy.
The Patriots host the Jets on Sunday at Gillette Stadium in their season finale. Then? One way or another, a decision will have to be made on the team's future at head coach.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
Related
