JAGUARS HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2024
(On if he feels a heightened sense of pressure playing in London) “No, no. The only pressure
was just that we needed to win a game. It didn’t matter where. Obviously, we love coming
over here, but it didn’t matter. We just needed to feel what winning feels like again. Proud of
the guys. Proud of the coaches for the way we worked this past ten days or so over here.
Good way to finish this little run.”
(On his message to QB Trevor Lawrence on the drive following the failed fourth-and-one
conversion attempt) “Yeah, situations like that, it’s going to happen. To go back to the
decision, I mean, I was riding the momentum of what we were doing leading up to that
point. Our offensive line was really taking control of the game at that point and felt like just
putting it in their hands one more time and getting the first drive there and potentially ice
the game at that point. They went down, scored. We get the ball back, and you still got to
play football, and that’s just the message. You still got to continue to play. We were able to
do that to go down. We ended up taking a little time off. We punted the football back to
them. Defense did a great job. Then, of course, from the 10-yard line, able to punch it back
in. But you just have to play for 60 minutes. These games are never over, and that’s always
going to be the message.”
(On what he saw from RB Tank Bigsby) “He’s done a really good job for us. Going into the
season behind T.J. [RB Travis Etienne Jr.], he’s earned the right to be out there. He’s earned
an opportunity. He did a nice job today. Ran hard; ran tough. As they say, ran behind his
pads. I thought the offensive line did a great job for him, tight ends, blocking and things of
that nature. But he did the rest. I think he went over 100 yards again today, and just a great
effort.
(On his message to the team following the win vs. New England) “We’ve got to duplicate it.
We have to duplicate the energy. We have to duplicate what we did over here. This week in
practice has been one of our better weeks of practice, and we’ve got to be able to carry this
all the way back and do it again.
I mean, that’s what this league is. It’s a short-term memory. You just try to go 1-0 each
week, but I thought the guys really handled themselves professionally while we were here
for the ten days.”
(On if he’s happy with how the younger players on offense had performed) “Yeah, these
guys have really proven their worth, obviously their draft stock and things of that nature.
What [WR] Parker Washington did on that punt return, obviously he is just one guy. Ten
other guys needed to do their job. They did a great job there. [WR] Brian Thomas, I think
each week he keeps getting better and better. He and Trevor have had a really good
connection going. This is something we have to continue and continue to find ways to
scheme him open. I thought Press [Offensive Coordinator Press Taylor] did a nice job this
week in doing that and getting him some balls down the field as well as Christian [WR
Christian Kirk] and Evan [TE Evan Engram], and everybody had a hand. But that’s what it
takes to win these games. It’s not just one guy. The ball has to be spread around, and it was
today.”
(On if he’s ever had a more complete quarter with the Jaguars than the game’s second
quarter) “It was pretty complete. It was 22 points, right? The way we started the game, both
sides of the ball wasn’t what we wanted. New England came out and obviously scored, got
up ten. Then we finally answered. It was a complete quarter, but again, you’re going to have
those. You’re going to have a quarter like that from time to time. They’re not always – every
game is not going to be like that, but it was good to see. It was something we hadn’t had this
year, and it was good to see.”
(On if Washington’s touchdown in the new kickoff format was schemed during film
analysis) “Yeah, this dynamic kickoff is different week-to-week. Probably not – I think a
couple of weeks ago it was 30 percent or less balls were being returned. It’s a hard play. It’s
difficult. Guys are too good, and you don’t want to risk that return. Again, each week is
different. There’s going to be weeks where we’re going to kick the ball off, and there’s going
to be weeks we’re going to put it out of the back of the end zone. So, we take a look every
week and see what’s best.”
(On how the team handled adversity throughout the game) “You know, it’s just what our
team can do, right? I feel strongly that if we play like that, that’s what we’re capable of. Now,
is it sustainable over the course of 60 minutes? It’s not going to be sustainable. I get it.
The other team is just as good. But, again, we got in a situation where we were down ten,
but nobody was, like, ‘Here we go again,’ or defeated or had negative thoughts. It was just
one play at a time. We’ll work ourselves back in it. Offense went out. We showed the
complementary aspect of the game today in all three phases. That’s the spark that
hopefully can get this thing going.”
(On if the two-point conversion call was part of the game plan or if it occurred due to
momentum) “No, those are thought out. Situations like that where there’s a penalty on the
defense on an extra point, you get the ball off the one-yard line. It’s a way to get an extra
point, right? Two points. So, no, it wasn’t something we just were trying. It’s definitely
planned and executed well.”
(On if the run game was a point of emphasis this week and if Thomas Jr. will get the ball on
the ground more) “As far as Brian goes, we try to find ways to put the ball in his hands. To
answer your question, yeah, we’ll try to find unique ways to get him the football where he
can run it. Obviously, he’s better down the field. Then the run game was just something
that, look, it’s a mindset to run the football in the National Football League. It takes a lot of
people, not just the offensive line. It’s the quarterback getting us in the right run, the five O-
linemen being on the right page, targeted right, the tight ends are involved. Even the
receivers going in and digging out safeties. Just thought today was a complete game.
Obviously, we’ll take a look at the tape on the way back and make corrections and learn.”
(On the distribution of reps going more to Bigsby when Etienne Jr. returns from injury) “I
don’t think so. I’m not a believer where – I should say I’m a believer where injury doesn’t
replace your position, right? I think you have to have a fair competition. For us, we’re
blessed to have two really good running backs right now. When Etienne comes back, he’s
just as explosive, just as good, just as powerful, and it’s still his job. But Tank has done
some really good things. Obviously, we’re going to continue to find ways to put the ball in
his hands too because he’s a little different runner than Etienne is.”
(On his advice to international players wanting to play in the NFL) “Don’t let people say that
you can’t do anything, right? You’ve got to believe in yourself. Give yourself an opportunity.
Be seen. Your work ethic is going to go a long way. A lot of these players in this locker room,
that’s how they grew up. They grew up with an opportunity to play this game as a young
player, but obviously now with the international pathway there’s more opportunities for
players to find themselves on NFL rosters. We have to continue to develop the sport
globally because it makes us a stronger league overall.”
JAGUARS QUARTERBACK TREVOR LAWRENCE
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2024
(On if the team responded how he wanted after being down 10-0 early) “I thought it was a
great job today in dealing with the adversity. Every game you’re going to have some
momentum swings every week. They scored early, and then we ended up punting on our
first possession. Then they went and got a field goal. Offensively we knew we had to settle
in and just get some points, get some positive plays going, and we were able to do that. We
scored, and then I felt like after that our defense really settled in. That’s how you play
complementary football is settle in early like we did in the second possession, and then our
defense was able to really pin their ears back. Once we got control of the game, I thought
we did a nice job of offensively of keeping those possessions really long. I don’t know what
the stats were, but it felt like we had some really long possessions that chewed up a lot of
clock. We can do better on scoring on all those possessions. I know that one turnover on
downs down there inside the 15 was disappointing to us, but I thought we did a nice job of
using the clock. We ran the ball great today, so that always helps.”
(On what changed from last week to this week) “Yeah, this sport is kind of crazy. I don’t
know. We had a great week of prep. This season, though, we’ve had good weeks of practice
and not played well on Sunday, though, so I won’t say that that’s always — that doesn’t
always mean that you’re going to play really well. It makes it easier. It’s hard to if you don’t
have a good week of preparation in practice. So, I thought we had a good week of
preparation. I thought that just the energy of practice was good. Guys were having fun.
Obviously, it sucks kind of where we were at and haven’t won as many games as we wanted
to win, but we had a lot of fun. We competed, and I think just being around our teammates,
that helps. We picked each other up. Obviously, the real fix is being able to go play well on
Sunday, which we were able to do today and get a win. That makes us feel a lot better.”
(On the deep ball to WR Brian Thomas Jr.) “They were in basically cover four quarters look,
and safeties were low. That was honestly the look we were wanting for that play. We had
another option if that wasn’t the coverage and the situation, but Brian did a great job of just
running up the corner, keeping outside leverage, and just running with it. I put it out there
and let him go make a play. It was a great catch. He’s good at that. He’s been making a lot of
plays for us, so it’s fun to watch him. It’s fun to play with him. Just to see him get better
every week, we got to keep using him.”
(On becoming the all-time passing yards leader in London) “It feels great. This is my fourth
year being over here. It’s better when you win, that’s for sure. I’ve done both. It’s a lot more
fun when we win over here, and we get to go on the flight home and enjoy it. That flight back
is not very fun after you lose. I’m excited for that today and to just be able to enjoy it and
soak it up for a few hours. Being here in London, you guys are awesome. You welcome us.
The fans are amazing. What a crowd today. Every year it’s like that. We appreciate it, and
you guys treat us well, and we enjoy being over here. Obviously, it’s pretty unique when I
first got here. It was something that it’s just an interesting deal. Something I never really
thought about doing. Then being over here every year it really does feel like almost like a
second home and a place where we really do feel more at home here than a lot of other
teams do for sure. So we appreciate you guys.”
(On WR Parker Washington setting the international punt return record) “I heard. Just so
happy for him. We’ve seen him make those plays, whether it’s preseason or even
sometimes in the season he’s been close to breaking some of those, but for him to do it in a
big moment when he really needed it, gets some more points on the board for us, really
flipped the game, gave us all the momentum, it’s huge. It’s a huge play. When your special
teams can make plays like that that change the game, it’s critical. Just for him that’s a guy
that, he’s a great player and receiver. We have a lot of great players. It’s been tough for him.
Not speaking for him, but just from — he maybe hasn’t gotten some of the opportunities
that — he is a great player, and he can make a lot of plays. So, to see him get the opportunity
on special teams and to take advantage of it, that just makes me happy because I know
how hard he has worked. Obviously, we have a lot of great receivers. The camp he had and
all those things, he maybe hasn’t gotten to have the impact maybe that you expect going
into the season, but for him to be able to make that impact on special teams just happy for
him. He deserves it. He’s a really hard worker, and I’m really excited for him.”
(On how important it was to get a win today) “I mean, maybe it sounds bad, but just stop
the bleeding for us. Just get on track. We have to find some momentum, and we have to
start rattling off some wins. That’s just where we’re at. That’s always the mindset, but
especially where we’re at now. We don’t have any more time to waste. Put ourselves in a
little bit of a hole. It is what it is. We’ve been in this situation before. We know what we have
to do, and we know we have some tough teams coming up on our schedule. Also saying
that, it’s the NFL. Every week even if it’s a team that isn’t looked at as a Super Bowl
contender, anybody can beat you any week. I’ve experienced that, been on both sides of it.
My rookie year we didn’t have a great year, and we beat the Bills, who were a Super Bowl
contender. We beat them like 9-6 at home. We beat Indy the last week of the year. We were
2-14, and they had to beat us to go to the playoffs. We beat them. This league it’s week-to-
week. It doesn’t matter who you are playing. You have to play well to win. That’s what we —
we understand that, and we have to just go do it.”
(On having long offensive drives) “Yeah, I think when you can run the ball like we did today,
those drives are longer because it’s, like, four or six, eight at a time. It’s not necessarily all
the explosives down the field. We had a couple, but it’s really keeping our offense, their
defense on the field, which is what you want. For him to be able to — he ran tough. Him and
D’Ernest [RB D’Ernest Johnson] broke some that were great runs, but just some of the two,
three, four, five-yard runs that those make a difference. Running hard, running through
some arm tackles, keeping his head down. I thought he did a really nice job. Obviously
when he got his opportunities to score, he did that. Just proud of that guy. He’s just worked
hard, and it’s cool to see him get the benefit from it. He’s having a great year, and we need
him to keep playing like that.”
(On how important this win was) “Yeah, I think this was big for our team. We needed to win
this game, and we did. So, for us to understand the situation, our backs are kind of against
the wall and to respond the right way and get a win, I think that’s great for our confidence
moving forward. Like I said, we have another opponent next week, Green Bay, and we have
to go put everything we can into that one to go win it. It’s short-lived. The wins and the
losses are really short-lived in this league. You have to be able to move on. Same thing like I
said to you guys last week after a loss. You’ve got to be able to turn the page and go win the
next one. That’s what our minds are on. Obviously, we are going to enjoy this for a few
hours. You have to. It’s too hard to win in this league, but we’re going to move on pretty
quick.”
(On what advice he gave to QB Drake Maye) “Yeah, I just told him after the game, he’s a
great player, and just to keep his head down, keep working. Just try to learn something
every week. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ve got to keep your confidence. He’s the
leader of that team, that organization when he’s on the field playing. Everybody looks to the
quarterback, and he’s a high pick, high drafted guy. Just keep his confidence. I think that’s
one thing. I didn’t say all of this to him in the short conversation I had, but that’s what I
would say is there’s going to be times you’re going to be tested. Sometimes it’s hard. I’ve
been there. It’s hard to keep your confidence when there’s things going on around you or
the team is in a tougher spot and maybe you’re not playing your best as a player. You just
have to keep going to work every day and keep your head up and lead your teammates.
That’s the biggest thing.”
(On what message he gave to the offense after the turnover on downs in the redzone) “Just
to go score. I mean, take the game back into our hands. Like you said, they stopped us
there. They had a big turnover on downs and went and scored. We felt like we had to put
together a good drive again. We still were in control. I think they went for two and didn’t get
us. We were still up two possessions. Obviously, you’re thinking to go score a touchdown,
but the biggest thing is put together a good drive, get into field goal range, and try to at least
get three or go score obviously if you can. Either way, you’re just extending your lead and
you’re using the clock. That was in the fourth quarter. For us that’s what we were able to do
today. I don’t know if we had any three and outs. We were able to keep the clock running.
Sometimes that can be a bit boring, but you want to be in control of games like that and be
able to do that. So, I thought it was really good for us.”
(On if the offense reached its maximum potential today) “I don’t think so. I still think that
there’s some things out there for us. I think offensively you look at the final score, and it
looks like we scored a lot of points. We did some great things. We had some great
possessions and played clean football for the most part. I am happy with it. I’m never going
to be upset with a win, but I thought the turnover on downs was disappointing for us as an
offense. You want to be able to really put the game away and go score a touchdown there
and get a yard on fourth and one. We weren’t able to do that, so that’s one play. Then I think
just some of the other possessions there was a couple little things. It’s never going to be
perfect. There’s always going to be something every game. Just looking at it for what it is, we
have to take the good and the bad. There were some things we did great, but there were
also some plays, some communication stuff, might have missed a throw or two, or
whatever it is. You still have to look at that and get better from it. You can’t just think just
because you won, you don’t look at all the bad stuff. You have to really use that. So, no, I
wouldn’t say that’s our best football, but it was good enough to win today, and that’s what
matters. So we’ve got to keep finding ways to do it on Sundays.”
WIDE RECEIVER BRIAN THOMAS JR.
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2024
(On what he saw on the big catch) “I had a deep post and I seen that they were playing
quarters, and the safeties were playing kind of low. So I knew that I was able to get by my
man and run out on my break, I would be open.”
(On him QB Trevor Lawrence’s chemistry) “I’m very pleased with how our chemistry has
grown and how we continue to grow each and every game. I mean, we just want to come
out each and every game and just continue to get better. Keep pushing just to be the best
that we can be as a team.”
(On how pleased he is with his NFL development so far) “I still got a lot of development. Still
in my first year. I’m really just coming out there practicing hard and just trying to go out
there in the game and do the best that I can do, be the best that I can be and just take
everything step by step. Putting my best foot forward each and every day and get better.”
(On how comfortable he feels running the ball as well) “I feel super comfortable running the
ball. I was able to play running back a little bit growing up and in high school and stuff like
that. I mean, it feels kind of normal to me just being able to play that. Just getting the ball in
my hands I feel I’m a playmaker. Once I get the ball in miss hands, I feel like I can make a
play.”
(On if he believes LSU set him up for success in the league) “Yeah, for sure. LSU is a great
school, great football. Great coaches there. I mean, just the way that we work there at LSU,
I mean, that’s what we pride ourselves on. Just going out there and being the best we can
be each and every day and just putting the work in. We push each other just to be the best
that we can be.”
(On the mindset of the team going forward) “That’s been the emphasis, sticking together
and playing together. Just playing for one another. Just coming out there even though we
didn’t did have the start that we maybe wanted, just sticking together and keep playing. It
will all fall together.”
(On WR Parker Washington’s punt return) “It was great to be able to see Parker do that. I
mean, we were getting ready to go on offense and just all of a sudden he just is going for,
what was it, 95, 96-yard touchdown. It was amazing. Everybody on the sidelines
celebrating for him, just happy for me, so it was amazing to be able to see that.”
RUNNING BACK TANK BIGSBY
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2024
(On how he gets into a rhythm on the field) “Staying patient, staying calm. Not getting too
anxious and waiting for opportunities to come. When they come, you have to take full
advantage of them.”
(On if he saw this game as an opportunity with RB Travis Etienne out) “I just do whatever I
have to do for this team to win. My job, whatever my role is, whatever I have to do at my best
ability. I take advantage of the opportunities, of course, but just come out and help this
team win. That’s what I try to do to the best of my ability.”
(On what was going through his mind when the team was down 10-0) “Just staying patient.
You know, being positive to the team. The guys being positive to me. Everybody spreading
great energy and being patient. Then, like I said, once that opportunity come, be ready to
execute at a high level. I feel like that’s what we did when those ops came. We took
advantage of them, and we have to keep doing it.”
(On how he feels all the running backs complement each other) “All us are good backs.
Coach put us at different positions, and we just have to execute at our jobs when we get
opportunities. So keep growing as a player, keep growing as a team, and keep doing what
we have to do to help the Jags win.”
(On what this win does for the team) “It do a lot. We work hard this week after we lost the
first game down. We did a lot of work this week and leaned on each other and said, We
have to go out and have fun. I feel like we got back to having fun. Offense started picking it
up, and I felt like defense fed off the energy. Then we felt the energy, and it kept going. That’s
the contagious thing about this game. When one side click, the other side will get going.
That’s the best thing about it. I feel like we all clicked, and we just have to keep doing it.”
(On what it means to have a great game at Wembley) “First, I just want to thank God for
giving me this opportunity honestly. This is amazing. It feels like you don’t get too many
opportunities in the National Football League, so when you get one, you have to take full
advantage of it and do it at your best ability. I felt like as we kept running the ball that the
Patriots would get tired, and we just have to keep going and keep going and keep going and
keep going. I just took advantage of those opportunities because on film it showed, like,
fourth quarter come, third quarter come, those guys will start arm tackling, and they’ll start
loafing. So we just did what we had to do when those ops came.”
(On he ensures that this style of play keeps going) “Just getting going. Just going out there
and keep improving every week and trying to be the best player I can be out there for my
teammates and myself and for my family. Just keep doing what I can do at my best ability.”
(On how the team responded to the loss last week) “I feel like this is a time of adversity, and
adversity shows real character. It shows who you can be and who you are. I feel like today
showed what this team can be when our backs are against the wall and when we’re going
through something. Let’s keep going.”
WIDE RECEIVER PARKER WASHINGTON
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2024
(On how he saw his punt return on the field) “Yeah, definitely. Just going into that play, I
mean, I’m knowing that that punter was about to — he was booming them. So, I knew he
could outkick the coverage. I saw the opportunity, and I was, like, let’s be aggressive. It paid
off, and I was glad to get that play.”
(On his return being the longest punt return in Jaguars history) “It’s a special moment. It’s
crazy because all week talking with teammates, we were, like, ‘It’s going to happen, You’re
going to get one, You’re going to score and get a punt return.’ I was telling some of the
players, some of the coaches, I was, like, I just want one. I just want one career punt return
touchdown or just any return touchdown, and it’s just a special moment. Even before the
game I watched a little bit of WR DeSean Jackson. He’s one of my favorite players. So it just
inspired me. Just being able to go out there and make a play like that, it was fun.”
(On his celebration) “Yeah, it was pretty much planned a little bit. It was funny. I was out
with my family yesterday joking around. I said, ‘If I score tomorrow, this is what we’re going
to do.’ My auntie was, like, ‘I’m going to do it with you, I’m going to do it with you.’ It was a
special moment to see it happen in real time and speaking it into existence. It was just a
special moment.”
(On resetting his mind to look forward) “I feel like it just goes back to, like you say, your
mentality. Chop wood, carry water, keep going. Before this day I wasn’t starting. I had to
step up. Dev went down. So, it’s just being ready for the moment and seizing that moment.
So going back so the sidelines it’s, like, Reset, let’s get another one. Don’t get satisfied,
chop wood, carry water, keep going no matter what.”
(On if he felt the punter getting his hands on him at the end of the punt return) “Just in that
play, that’s my first time ever getting that close to the snapper or even a punter. So, I just
knew from my mindset when I think about it, I’m going to run through them because they
don’t want to tackle. Just in that moment I just was, like, let’s just trust my speed and if he
tackles me, I hope he wouldn’t, but I’m just going to try and run through him or just right
around him.”
(On what his celebration is) “I always do my little whatever, and I was telling one of my
teammates again, If I get a chance and if I have room — if I get a chance, I was, like, Okay,
I’m just going to turn around right before the end zone and kind of do it and then get up and
start doing it for real. It was just a fun time just being able to have fun. I feel like that’s what
it’s all about. Bring juice to the team the best way you can, and that momentum carried into
the rest of the game, and I felt like that helped us get a win today.”
(On his punt return being the international record) “It’s special. Being overseas. Even just
being here for the last nine, ten days, I was out golfing on our day off. I was, like, ‘Who
would have ever thought I’m golfing overseas (laughing)?’ It’s just surreal, just special. I just
want to embrace it and just have fun with it.”
(On if he is sick of London yet or if he wants to stay) “You definitely want to stay. I will say I
do miss my bed. I’m a home body. I’m a home body, but I enjoyed it. I love it. It’s a blessing
to be able to come over here each year with the Jaguars. It’s my second time, and way
better experience this time for me being able to get in the end zone and with a win going
back. It’s special. I’m ready to go home, but I wouldn’t mind staying if it means winning.”
(On his punt return setting the record) “Oh, that’s special. Like I said, it’s just a special night
just for the team getting us back on track. We have to keep going, though, you know. It don’t
stop here. We have to go back to United States and continue to do what we do and handle
business, go 1-0.”
(On what the team has to do to continue momentum) “It starts in practice. It starts with the
preparation. We had a great week of practice, great competition. The energy was there. Like
I said, I felt like our issue was translating that to the game, having that same energy, having
our teammates’ back, picking everybody up who needs to be picked up, and just playing
together. I feel like that made tonight special, and we just have to keep building on that. I
feel like that will take us a long way for the rest of the year.”
(On what his favorite part of the trip was) “It’s special because my mom, she plans the trip
every year. So as long as I’m with the Jags, she’s here. Just being able to see her smile and
have a great time overseas, it makes me smile and keeps me going. I’m excited for her to be
able to have that special moment, and it makes me smile too.”
PATRIOTS HEAD COACH JEROD MAYO
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2024
(Opening statement) “Look, disappointing game. We came out, started fast. What I would
say is, look, we’re a soft football team across the board. You talk about what makes a tough
football team. That is being able to run the ball, that is being able to stop the run, being able
to cover kicks. We did none of those today. They controlled the ball for most of the day.
Their run game averaged over four-and-a-half yards a carry. Our run game, not sure what
the average was, but it wasn’t good. Look, back to the drawing board. I mean, we can’t sit
here and pout. We just got to put a game together.”
(On what he makes of the run game) “I’m not sure. I’m not sure. That’s something you got to
watch on film. What I will say is it’s a mentality, it’s an attitude. Here as of late, our run
game just hasn’t been able to do anything offensively. Defensively, the players, we just got
to play better. We got to play better technique. Got to lock our guy out in front of us. That’s
what it comes down to, locking the guy out in front of you, dominating him and making a
tackle.”
(On what is causing the team to play “soft”) “I’m not sure. I mean, that’s something that I
have to think about. We have a long flight back. I’m not sure. It’s not like all of a sudden, we
did something different and now we’re a soft football team. It’s just the mentality that we
got to get back in the guys.”
(On if he would consider a change in the defensive play calling) “Once again, I’ll go back
over the film. From where I was standing, even when you’re in the right call, they’re still not
doing their job, so that’s on me.”
(On the decision to go for the two-point conversion after the touchdown) “At some point in
time you have to go for two. I just wanted to at least know what situation we were going to
be in with more time on the clock. We went for two on the first one. I’m sure other people
see it a different way. It’s just a philosophical thing.”
(On what he saw on the Jaguars’ punt return for a touchdown) “I saw guys getting out of
leverage. I saw a punt down the middle of the field, which is always difficult to cover. He
[Jaguars P Logan Cooke] has a strong leg. He out-kicked his coverage. We weren’t
disciplined in our lanes.”
(On his assessment of QB Drake Maye’s game) “I thought he did a good job, especially
starting the game off fast. He made some good throws, made some good plays with his
legs. Again, I have to go back to the film and just study that.”
(On if he’s worried about the players losing morale) “I’m not worried about that. The guys,
they understand. Every week is its own week. It’s my job, when we get there on Wednesday,
is to change the page.”
(On if the “rebuilding” timeline is not progressing to his expectations) “No, not at all. I don’t
want to go back and say we should have won this, we should have lost. We could have lost
all of the games. In saying that, we just got to keep working, going out there with the players
that we have and get better.”
(On why he thinks the run game is not having success) “That kind of goes back to what I
said earlier. It’s a mentality. It’s a mentality. It’s about reestablishing the line of scrimmage.”
(On his level of concern about WR Ja’Lynn Polk) “We need more from Polk. We need more
concentration. He’ll be a good player in this league. Just got to continue to work at it.”
(On what he saw change after putting up 10 points I the first half) “Again, I’ll go back and
look at the film. It will be easy to say the vibe on the sideline was down. It wasn’t down. It
was still up. It always comes back to execution in my eyes. Just didn’t do it. It wasn’t like a
big adjustment that was made or anything like that. We just weren’t making the plays.”
(On if he wishes he had brought the team to London earlier in the week) “No. Once again,
we started the game off fast. They felt good. I asked multiple players. We just didn’t finish.”
(On the team’s concentration waning through the season) “I don’t think so. I think every
single week is its own week. You got to hit the reset button. That includes concentration,
attention to details, all of those things.”
(On how he encourages Polk) “First, I have to remind him he’s a young football player. I’m
not using that as an excuse. This is not the last iteration or evolution of Ja’Lynn Polk. He just
has to get back in the meeting rooms and go back out there on the field and get better.”
(On if him describing the team as “soft” is a necessary message for them to hear) “Every
time I talk to you guys, I understand that the players read all of that stuff. I always use this
vehicle as a way to reinforce a message or get a message out to those guys.”
(On how the team can become “harder”) “There is always a way to be harder. There’s
always a balance in doing that. Again, six straight losses… I mean, they feel about it about it
as well. As a professional player, you feel bad about losses just like everyone else. It’s
about going back to the drawing board and try to put some stuff together.”
(On how he would describe the coaching staff) “Look, first it starts with me. It’s about just
the mentality of going back to having a tough football team. I just have to do a better job.
Like I said, I’ll think it through on the plane ride home.”
(On if he expected winning to be this challenging) “Look, it’s hard to win football games in
the NFL. I totally understand that. I’ve talked to seasoned coaches, head coaches around
the league, and they say the same thing. It’s tough. Once again, every week is its own
week.”
(On the goal for the second-half of the season is) “I think the main goal is to win next week.”
PATRIOTS QUARTERBACK DRAKE MAYE
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2024
(On how he feels the offense performed today) “We’ve been preaching fast start. They want
us to start fast. Last week we didn’t do it. We did that today. We just didn’t sustain it long
enough. Had some chances down in the red zone the second drive, wish I had back. Other
than that, Coach Mayo [Head Coach Jerod Mayo] is preaching, got to be around the
football. When we throw it on first and second down, I have to find some completions to get
us in third and manageable. Third and long is hard in this league. I thought the guys battled,
especially up front. Those guys are playing their butts off. Owe those guys a lot up front.
Feel like we made some plays. Just not good enough.”
(On what they have to do to sustain the fast start) “I think other than maybe one or two
other games this season, we haven’t started fast in a while. Kind of something new for us.
Proud of the guys for starting fast. I think I had KB [WR Kendrick Bourne] open on the third
down, down there, on the second drive. Punch another one in, may be a different ballgame.
A couple throws here and there, for me as well. Other than that, we just got to, I guess, find
out ways to get first downs. I feel like the Jags did a nice job of time of possession. Shoot,
for a while in the second half we had one drive the whole half until the end. Credit to them.
Just got to, I don’t know, work harder, find something different, find something different.
(On Coach Mayo saying they are not a tough football team) “Coach Mayo is not going to
come in here and say something he hasn’t said to us in the locker room. He preaches being
tough. He preached it today, being tough. Being tough is running the football, stopping the
run, covering kicks is what he said. I think he does a great job of relaying the message to us.
The guys know. [CB] Jon Jones gave a speech after the game saying you got to find it, got to
find something. Know what we’re doing is not good enough. Got to man up.”
(On how he felt today compared to last week) “Yeah, I think the little things. I think little
things like false starts, that falls on me. We got to be more clear and up front with the
cadence with the O-line and those guys. Other than that, took care of the football. Maybe
one time endangered it. The last one, the fourth down, that’s just football there. Other than
that, I feel like I’m seeing it well. Make a few different throws. Other than that, do a better
job on the sideline sometimes pumping the guys up, relaying some messages to different
guys, you may see this, what are you thinking. Little things like that. I thought we had some
bright spots again today. Like I said, not good enough.”
(On the touchdown to RB JaMycal Hasty early on) “Yeah, just hot. Were hot to the back.
They ended up I think bringing in safety. Dropped out, the defensive end on the opposite
side. Find a completion. Third and 10, we’re in field goal range. Got to do more of that,
getting our guys our ball and letting them make plays. Thought I tried to do that today.
Found the check-downs. Besides that last drive, when they were playing deep. Found some
checkdowns early in the game that helped us. Little plays like that can go a long way for
us.”
(On if things felt more comfortable this week compared to last week) “Yeah, I think more
and more you’re out there, you’re seeing different things, different fronts, different
coverages, getting a better feel. I think the Jags did some different stuff, playing different
guys in different spots the same coverage. Other than that, I’m here to help this football
team win. We’re not getting that done. Got to do something different.”
(On WR Ja’Lynn Polk) “Yeah, no, I think J.P. is a great player. He’s making plays. A little slick
out there. Sometimes the ball’s on the paint. Paint all over the ball. I think it’s just the field a
little bit. Other than that, got to find ways to get the football early. Get him in the game
early, that will help him feel involved. Got to make a better throw to him on the corner route,
first drive, little things like that, to get him involved. He’s a good player. We need him out
there. It is on me to kind of get him going. Throughout the week, he’s always asking me to
watch film and things like that. After practice, he’s always there. Got to do more. Whatever
we’re doing, do more.”
(Unclear audio) “Yeah, he’s a great player for us. Made a great play, a couple good plays on
the first drive. It’s next man up. It’s the NFL. Big dudes colliding into each other out there on
the field. Got to next man up. Credit to him for battling through, being out there as much as
he can. He’s a great player for us. Hopefully have him back. Thank y’all.”
TIGHT END HUNTER HENRY
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2024
(On how he would characterize the game today) “I was proud of the way we started.
Thought we obviously started fast. Just the middle of the game lost control, some things
compounded, some mistakes. I mean, even myself. The false start, I look at that as a huge
thing. Third-and-short. I mean, I got to be better in a lot of areas. I know everybody else will
look in the mirror. We just got to be better, find a way.”
(On why the offense struggled) “I mean, obviously you got to give credit to them. They did a
great job of responding. They controlled the ball, I would say had some big, long drives,
controlled the ball, were able to execute, have some big plays in there. Kind of get their
sideline, get things going in a positive direction for them. You have to give credit to the
Jaguars, they did a great job of executing, getting us off the field fast. In those situations we
got to be better, sustain some drives in the middle of the game.
(On not getting discouraged) “Yeah, I mean, I feel like we have a high-character locker
room. We have a lot of high-character guys. I really feel like obviously we’re in the midst of
some adversity. Adversity really reveals true character. So I feel like we have a lot of guys
that have a lot of high character. Hopefully we can turn some things around, start getting
things moving in a positive direction.”
(On Head Coach Jerod Mayo calling the team soft) “Yeah, I mean, that wasn’t what we want
to be at all. That wasn’t the identity we want to be. We weren’t able to get the run game
going like we want. So we’ve got to be better running the football, controlling the clock,
moving the ball, obviously scoring more points.”
PATRIOTS CORNERBACK CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2024
(On the challenges the Jaguars defense presented) “I mean they came out and they played
well. We didn’t play too well. I think we started well, but we didn’t finish.”
(On what the key area of improvement is) “Finishing, really. We’ve got to go out there. I can’t
give up a big play. We’ve got to finish better.”
(On if it’s hard to not feel down) “I mean, obviously it hurts. Nobody likes to lose. Nobody in
this profession, in life likes to lose. But it hurts. But I hit on it a couple weeks ago. All you
can do is grow from it. All you can do is learn and move on.”
(On the 58-yard catch by Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr.) “Yeah, I mean, he ran a good route.
He made a good ball. Thought I got it out, but it was ruled a catch. That is what it is.”
(On his NFL in London collaboration) “Yeah, I mean, first time in London. It’s pretty cool.
They offered me the opportunity to do it. It was a cool moment being in London. Like I said,
they offered me the moment. It was fun.”
(On how the collaboration came about) “Yeah, I mean, media told me we want to do a
collaboration, NFL London, NFL. They told me. I was like, ‘Oh, yeah, for sure.’”
(On what needs to change to get back on track) “Yeah, I mean, we just got to finish. It’s all
about starting fast, continuing to just keep going on the plays. Go back to work. All we can
do is move on. Nobody really cares. We’ve got to go. Saying ‘nobody cares’ as in other
teams in the NFL. We got to go and just get back to work.”
(On what he’s seen from the run defense) “I mean, I trust the guys up there – the front
seven. I trust them. Everybody in the locker room trust them. We’ve just got to get it fixed.”
(On if arriving to London on Thursday affected the team’s energy) “I mean, not really. I felt
like we had good energy. Like I said, I feel like we started fast. Offense came out, two drives,
boom, boom. I think that we started fast. I think we had energy. But like I said earlier, we
just didn’t finish.”
(On what the halftime message to the team was) “Yeah, I mean, it’s like how it is every
week. You come in at halftime, talk about the plays they made, talk about how we got to
stop those plays. You take the coaching and go back out there in the second half.”
(On if the field was slippery) “Wasn’t too bad. I slipped once. I mean, I didn’t think it was
super slippery or anything.”
(On if he was wearing long spikes) “Seven studs, yeah.”
LINEBACKER JAHLANI TAVAI
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2024
(On how he would characterize what’s going on) “We’re not doing good. That’s all that
needs to be said about it. We got to improve. We’re going to figure it out.”
(On pinpointing any areas they need to improve on) “Just got to do our jobs. That’s it. Got to
do our jobs and make the tackle.”
(On Head Coach Jerod Mayo calling the team soft) “He said it well. We got to look in the
mirror and we got to understand what he’s saying. If we’re okay with being soft, then some
people will fall off and the rest of us will want to prove that wrong, we’ll step up and make
sure that doesn’t happen.”
(On if he thinks it’s a lack of concentration) “It’s a lack of doing your job. We got to do our
jobs. That’s it.”
(On why people aren’t doing their jobs) “I don’t know. It’s 11 guys on the field. It takes one
person in the defense to mess up a whole play. We have to be consistent. You can’t do your
job one play, take off another. All 11 guys on the field who are out there at the time, we just
got to do our jobs.”
(On the punt return for a touchdown) “Again, do our jobs. We’re out there to make sure that
we put the defense in a good position. If you look at it, it’s all defensive players. We got to
take that personal. God forbid, we can’t let that happen again. I haven’t looked at the film,
haven’t looked at what happened. I just know that can’t happen. What yard line did he punt
it on? On the four? That got to be dead. We got to fix it.”
(On the punt return) “We had guys there. The message right now is to do our job. We’re not
doing it. It’s showing on the scoreboard.”
(On why he is optimistic things will change) “Got to stay optimistic. I don’t have a weak
mindset. I think that’s the best way to say it. I don’t have a weak mindset. I’m going to make
sure that I do my part. I’m not saying I was perfect out there. I made some bad plays. I got to
look in the mirror, too. Yeah, got to stay optimistic.”
(On the struggles related to not having everyone healthy) “Man, we have great guys out
there. I trust those guys. Like I said, we have to be consistent on doing our jobs. There’s
plays where we shine and then there’s plays where, like I said, takes one person to mess
up. It don’t matter who it is. It could be a safety on a misfit or it could be a linebacker not
hitting his guy. All 11 guys have to do their jobs so we can be successful.”
SAFETY KYLE DUGGER
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2024
(On if the Jaguars made any adjustments that they weren’t prepared for) “No, they didn’t.
We just kind of fell from what we originally planned to do on the defense. Our one on ones,
we knew what they were going to attack us with. They kind of stayed with that. We stopped
doing our job. Our one on ones, we stopped winning those. That’s what it came down to.”
(On struggling to make plays and if there are any commonalties from previous games) “For
sure. On the back end, we just have to be better communicating. It’s miscommunications
that cost us big-time, MEs. That’s what it comes down to at the end of the day. That’s not
how we want to play. That’s not how we have had success. We won’t continue to have
success until we clean that up.”
(On Head Coach Jerod Mayo calling the team soft and if he said that to the team) “Yeah, he
kept it real with us. I’m glad he did, yeah. Appreciate it.”
WIDE RECEIVER K.J. OSBORN
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2024
(On having a fast start to the game) “I think at the beginning of the game we did a good job
of starting fast. I think it’s about sustaining momentum. Big plays, turnovers on either side.
When you get that, we talk about when it goes your way, when it goes the opposite way. You
got to be able to fight back when that stuff is not going your way. We had at the beginning,
but then we kind of lost it. So, we got to fight back.”
(On QB Drake Maye) “I’ve been extremely impressed and proud of Drake ever since he
came in. When he first got drafted, how he came in there, dealing with the pressure of being
a third round pick, learning a pro offense, to where he is now. I’m definitely proud of him.
Excited to continue to see him getting better.”
(On the frustration of starting fast and then slowing down) “Yeah, for sure. For sure. When
you’re moving the ball, you feel like the team that you’re going against, not that you got their
number, they going to make adjustments, too, but you build your confidence. When that
kind of starts to get stagnant, I think it can build some frustration. Like I said before, that’s
part of the fight-back we got to develop.”
(On not staying on the field) “For sure. For sure it’s tough. It’s tough. I think that’s something
that we have dealt with. But I think the offense, we can help ourselves by staying on third
downs, staying on the field on third down to keep the defense off the field, kind of playing
complementary football.”
(On not leaving happy) “Yeah, for sure. I mean, it’s not happy. London was a great
experience, but we came over here to play a football game and win. We didn’t win. We got
to go back to the drawing board, move on to the next week.”
(On if there are any positives to take from today) “For myself, I’ve been over here a couple
times. I’ve played. For some of the younger guys, kind of developing a routine about if they
do have another international game, the schedule, kind of how you balance your time of
being a tourist, I would say, and your study time and things like that. Being able to lock in.
Like I said, it’s a blessing for us to be able to be over here and play a football game. At the
end of the day we’re coming to work and we’re coming to win, and we didn’t do that.”
