Joint practices in the NFL have recently become notorious for their physical altercations, and the situation has been no different for the teams in the league over the past few weeks. In an effort to keep training sessions focused and productive, New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has implemented a stringent new rule as the Patriots gear up for joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mayo's directive is straightforward: any starter who engages in a fight during joint practices will be required to play the entire preseason game. On the flip side, non-starters who find themselves in the middle of a brawl will face the consequence of being benched for the entirety of the preseason match. The message is clear—maintain discipline and professionalism during practice, or face significant game-time ramifications.
As Mayo succinctly puts it, "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 Patriots and Eagles are set to practice together on Tuesday, and the heat of August will undoubtedly add another layer of intensity to the sessions. Just two days later, the teams will face off in a preseason game at Gillette Stadium. This matchup will serve as a practical testbed for Mayo’s new rule.
Mayo, who spent eight seasons as a Patriots player before transitioning to the coaching staff, has personal experience with the benefits joint practices can 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," he reflects. During his playing years, Mayo enjoyed the break from the usual training camp routine that these sessions offered, seeing them as a chance to bolster team unity and break up the monotony.
However, Mayo is also acutely aware of the need for discipline, especially in practice environments that can quickly become heated. "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 explains. By imposing real-game consequences in practice, Mayo aims to instill a sense of accountability and ensure that the training remains productive.
Players from both the Patriots and Eagles will be looking to secure their spots on their respective rosters during these joint practices, knowing that every play and interaction is being closely monitored by the coaching staff. Mayo's rule is likely to be on their minds as they weigh the risks of losing control and engaging in a confrontation.
As the Patriots approach their joint session with the Eagles, the anticipation of the upcoming preseason game looms large. This game will be a litmus test for Mayo's disciplinary strategy, providing an early indication of its effectiveness.
Ultimately, Mayo's approach looks to simulate the real-game stakes in practice, aiming to discourage unnecessary altercations that detract from the team's training objectives. The rule sends a clear message: maintain your composure and focus on your game, or be prepared to face the consequences.