Douglas’s words echoed those of other coaches.
Quarterbacks coach Joe the dwarf That said, things aren’t always what they seem when cameras focus.
“I’ve said before, I don’t know if I want to coach a player who’s not passionate about the game and, look, in the heat of the game, it’s definitely a lot of emotion,” he said. “A lot of things are sometimes misunderstood in terms of what’s happening on the side. There are a lot of times when we look at each other like any coach and player, where you seem to be yelling at each other.
“Hey, look, it’s loud in there. You are passionately trying to make a point, trying to convey something. So I think Mack has done a really good job leading this team. He did a lot [Monday] On the side, really conveyed a lot of messages that [coach Bill Belichick] Kind of spread throughout the week of practice. And you could hear Mac repeating them and connecting them throughout the game. “
Jones showed even more leadership when he gathered the players at the end of Wednesday’s practice to remind them that just because they’re away from home for a week, they still need to get down to business.
“I’m not going to lie, obviously we’re going for a result this week [against the Raiders]. You ask what will make this week a success, it will be winning the game,” said Matthew Slater. “But I think to do that, it’s going to be about preparation, and Mack said that — trying to keep our routine as close to normal as possible. Whether it’s on the training ground, in the meeting room or in recovery. . . We’re not on vacation, and it’s easy to fall into that when you’re away from home. So hopefully we do our best and they translate the game on Sunday. “
Myers does not practice
The Patriots’ injury report had two changes Thursday, along with receivers Jacoby Meyers (Concussion) Did not practice Wednesday after limited participation and the long snapper Joe Cardona (Ankle) upgraded from limited to full participation.
run back Ramondre Stevenson (ankle), receiver Devante Parker (concussion), offensive strike Isaiah Winn (leg) and the back of the corner Jack Jones (knee) did not practice for the second day in a row.
Defensive shot Christian Barmore (knee), in the corner Jalen Mills (deep), running back Damien Harris (thigh) and offensive kick A few things (calf/back) was limited.
Mack Jones didn’t sound overly concerned if some of the team’s top skill players won’t be available against Las Vegas.
“Ultimately, we have a good group,” he said. “There is no let-up.”
Judon brushes off the litany of tests
Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon received an unsolicited text message, which he shared on Twitter: he had been selected for a product enhancement test. He offered his own message to the league and the players’ association.
“Dear @NFLPA @NFL Please leave me alone F. There is no way this is a fluke. I take melatonin sometimes to sleep. The rest are just vibes,” Judon wrote on Twitter.
Judon figures he’s been tested 8-10 times this season, more than in any previous year of his career.
“It is what it is,” he said. “There’s nothing in my body, so we’re fine.”
When asked why he thinks there has been an increase, Judon had no answer.
“Who knows. It doesn’t really matter,” he said. “If I don’t get it, I’ll get in trouble, so I’ll just cry and take it.”
In his second season with the Patriots, Judon, 30, leads the league with 14.5 sacks. He signed as a free agent in 2021 after five seasons with the Ravens.
In 2018, the league and players’ association agreed to a policy on performance-enhancing substances that states: “Players may not, absent a valid therapeutic use exception, have prohibited substances in their systems or supply or facilitate the distribution of prohibited substances. Substances for other players’.
All players are tested at least once a year, according to the contract, 10 players per team are tested every week.
“By means of a computer program, an independent administrator will randomly select players from the club’s active roster, practice squad list and reserve list who are not otherwise subject to ongoing reasonable cause testing for performance-enhancing substances.” The agreement states.
Added Judon: “It’s something the NFL does and it’s random. I don’t think we have that many J names, so I think mine gets called that all the time.”
interested observer
University of Arizona coach Jed FishIn 2020, the Patriots quarterback coach was inside the stadium to watch the team practice. Fish was given the memorable nickname “Coach Jedi”. Cam Newton . . . With Cardona less than 100 percent earlier in the week, the Patriots drafted a long snapper Tucker Eddington. Cardona did not miss a single game during his eight-year career, playing in 139 consecutive games. . . The Patriots are tied for third in the NFL with 45 sacks, behind the Eagles (49) and Cowboys (48). They are on pace for 58, which would tie the 1977 team for second most in franchise history. The Patriots had 66 in 1963. The most New England had under Belichick was 49 in 2015.
Jim McBride can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.