As joint practices across the NFL heat up this preseason, they've also been marred by a series of fights, prompting teams to seek out new strategies to keep the peace. Among them, New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has introduced a novel approach to curb the brawls as his squad gets ready for joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mayo, who served eight seasons as a Patriots player before stepping into the head coach role, has always valued the camaraderie and variety that joint practices bring. "It really helps you build that camaraderie amongst the group because out here, when you're going against each other, it gets a little stale sometimes. It's always good to go against another team," Mayo shared. However, he’s also keenly aware of the consequences that come with on-field altercations.
In an effort to simulate real-game repercussions, Mayo has laid down a new set of rules: any starter who engages in a fight during joint practices will be required to play the entire preseason game. Non-starters, on the other hand, will face the bench for the preseason game entirely.
Enforcing Discipline
The Patriots and the Eagles are set to practice together on Tuesday, a session that will challenge Mayo’s new directive right out of the gate. The intensity is expected to be high, with August heat pushing players to their limits as they vie for spots on the roster. The teams will then face off at Gillette Stadium on Thursday as part of Week 2 of the preseason, offering an immediate testing ground for Mayo’s rule.
Mayo's message to his players was unequivocal: "My message to the players: if you get in a fight out here, if you're a starter, you're going to play the whole preseason game. If you're not a starter, you won't play at all. That's kind of my mindset with that."
The emphasis on discipline and accountability is clear. Mayo wants his players to understand that fighting has consequences, just as it would in a regular season game. "Look, you don't fight in a real game. If you fight in a real game, you get fined; you get kicked out. It's the same thing here," he asserted, underscoring the seriousness with which he views these disruptions.
Productive Training
Mayo's decision aims not just to instill discipline but also to ensure that training sessions remain productive. Unnecessary altercations can detract from the learning and growth that these joint practices are designed to foster. By holding players accountable, Mayo is aiming to maintain a high level of professionalism and focus.
The forthcoming joint practice and subsequent game against the Eagles will serve as a litmus test for Mayo's rule. Players from both teams will be pushing hard to demonstrate their skills and secure their spots, making the stakes higher and the potential for conflict greater.
While the success of Mayo's approach remains to be seen, it sends a clear message that tempering aggression and maintaining control are key to both personal and team success. The practices and game against the Eagles will offer an early indication of whether this new disciplinary measure is effective in balancing intensity with sportsmanship.
The broader NFL community will be watching closely, as other teams may consider adopting similar measures if Mayo's strategy proves successful. For now, Patriots players know they are under strict scrutiny, and the implications of their on-field behavior will not be taken lightly.
As the Patriots and the Eagles prepare to clash both in practice and in a preseason game, the tension and excitement will undoubtedly serve as a backdrop to see if Mayo's firm stance on discipline pays dividends. Only time will tell if his policies foster a more controlled environment conducive to both training and team building.