On Tuesday, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo made his weekly appearance on The Greg Hill Show.
This week’s interview featured a special guest, as Pro Football Hall of Fame corner and Patriots legend Ty Law sat in for the conversation with the coach.
And as fans of The Greg Hill Show know, Law has never been one to hold back on an opinion.
“What you got, Ty?” asked Mayo.
“I got a whole lot, but I’m gonna let you do your coach speak right now. But we’re gonna have to get together,” said Law. “I mean, I like the whole politically correct stuff, so I will be here to articulate, from now on, what he’s really saying.
“Because, you know, when you talk about, ‘Other people is very important,’ and all of that - dammit, stand on business. The buck stops here. I’m the head coach, Jerod Mayo. Dammit, I got the last say so. So if he don’t wanna say it, I’m gonna say it. You know what I mean? Somebody gotta come in here and shake it up - c’mon Jerod!”
Law is referencing the many times Mayo has mentioned “collaboration” throughout the offseason when it comes to decisions with both playing time and personnel.
Until last Thursday’s decision on the starting quarterback, where he clarified mid-opening statement that it was his decision to start Jacoby Brissett Week 1 in Cincinnati, almost all the rhetoric around decision making has involved mentions of executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf, or offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.
But during Tuesday’s interview, Mayo took Law’s advice and “stood on business.”
“I think I was pretty clear,” said Mayo. “Look, I am the head coach, and once again - going back to, you know, the disgruntled fans and people in the media. Like, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m gonna do what’s best for the team.
“Yeah, you’re exactly right - the buck does stop with me.”
It’s been reported that the difference in demeanor between Mayo and his predecessor Bill Belichick was one of the principal reasons for the change at head coach this offseason.
And with that change, after over two decades of things being run a certain way by Belichick, there’s been expected pushback from fans and media who were used to a more close-to-the-vest, my-way-or-the-highway approach.
“No matter what industry, or if we’re talking about sports or anything, change is always difficult,” said Mayo. “You know, we’ll be measured by our wins and losses. Not only this year, but also years in the future.
“Change is difficult for fans, change is difficult for coaches, players - all that stuff. And once you get through that difficult stage, hopefully we’re able to reap the benefits of that change.”
The first real test of Mayo’s collaborating style comes on Sunday, as the Patriots head to Cincinnati for their first regular season game under the first-year head coach.
His first big decision, featuring Brissett under center and rookie Drake Maye wearing a headset on the sidelines, will be on full display.