FOXBOROUGH – We’re just five days in, and Jerod Mayo’s first training camp as head coach is turning into more of a sideshow than a productive football camp.
On Monday, the pads came on for the first time, but it was mostly off-the-field issues that grabbed the attention of the media.
On Sunday night, the team announced that Christian Barmore will be out indefinitely for a scary blood clot issue. Then, Monday morning, Matthew Judon appeared to throw a bit of a contract-related temper tantrum. Judon was out on the field in a red hoodie and black pants while his teammates began going through their individual drills in pads.
Judon looked like a petulant child pouting in a store because he was told no, sitting on tackling dummies and large pads while his teammates got to work. Minutes later, there was a conversation between Mayo and Judo, which Judon appeared to be animated for a few seconds before turning his hat around backwards and then walking down off the practice fields through the back entrance.
Making matters worse, Drew Rosenhaus – the agent for Davon Godchaux – was seen on the ‘Friends and Family’ hill talking to Eliot Wolf, Matt Groh and Robyn Glaser. What’s this got to do with Judon? Well, we can probably assume that a deal for Godchaux is on the way at some point, which would leave Judon as the only guy who hasn’t gotten an extension.
After practice, Godchaux, Rosenhaus and Mayo shared another lengthy conversation on the same hill.
Last Friday, Mayo spoke about Judon’s situation and didn’t seem to have a problem with No. 9 and how he was handling things.
That may have changed after today.
“His attitude is great in the classroom, his attitude is great on the field. You guys see him flying around here. Obviously, there is a business component to this sport, and he understands that,” said Mayo last week. “We want him here, he’s a very good player for us. He does everything we want him to do, so hopefully it works out.
Early on, it’s fair to worry about whether these types of situations can undermine establishing a new culture, something else Mayo spoke about at the end of last week before Monday’s situation.
“No, no. Look, I’m good with it. I don’t want to put a cap on it. If the guy feels a certain type of way, he has that privilege to come out here and tell you guys how he feels,” Mayo added. “I have to respect it no matter what. At some point in time, there’s going to be a player that comes up here and says, ‘You know what, I hate Coach Jerod’ or, ‘I hate Mayo.’ That’s how they feel, and I respect that. I know we want to keep as much stuff in-house, but there will be times they come out here and express themselves. I think it’s good. Look, they listen to the interview here and I listen to their interviews as well. I’m not talking to you guys, I’m talking to the players, really. That’s how I think about it. As the season continues to progress, I want the relationship with the media from the coach’s perspective and also from the player’s perspective, to be a good relationship. I’m not saying to write all the positive articles. You write your opinion, that’s what you’re paid for.”
So, now, Mayo is currently missing two of his top defensive players and another very important piece – Jabrill Peppers – left practice early on Monday with a lower body injury. Drake Maye has struggled to find consistency and the offensive line is still very much a work in progress.
Could all of this work itself out by next Thursday when New England has its first preseason game against Carolina? Sure, but for the time being, Mayo is having his patience and his player-friendly approach tested very early on in his career.