How Jerod Mayo Believes Patriots O-Line Has Responded To Blunt Criticism

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo bluntly assessed New England's offensive line following the team's preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last Thursday.

"There were definitely some ups and downs," Mayo said after the loss. "I would say there's a dramatic drop-off, not really physically, but just knowing what to do between the first line and the second and third guys. They have to get better as a whole, as a unit. They just have to get better, and that comes from playing football games. We have another preseason game coming up. We're going to play. That's the only way you're going to get better at football is playing football."

After practice at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, Mayo told reporters he felt the offensive line responded well to his criticism as the Patriots prepare for their final preseason tuneup against the Washington Commanders on Sunday night.

"Yeah, they've responded well," Mayo said, per team-provided transcript. "I will say, going back and looking at the film, the practice, I got that. But if you were to look at the whole body of work with our offensive line, they've done a good job and they're getting better going forward."

With only the final preseason game coming up, Mayo said the number of snaps will not determine whether a player makes the Patriots 53-man roster.

"I think you just want people that love football and that will do everything as far as preparation in the weight room, in the classroom, to get on the field," he said. "Those are the guys that I really want. I'll take a less talented guy that just loves the game of football and you know he's going to get better with a high ceiling than a player who's just blessed with a lot of athleticism but is lazy. So, that's kind of how I look at it."