Patriots’ coaches, gamers united behind QB Mac Jones – New England Patriots Weblog

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is popping the web page to Sunday’s sport in opposition to the visiting Indianapolis Colts, as he returns to play at Gillette Stadium for the primary time since residence followers had been chanting for backup Bailey Zappe to interchange him in Week 7.

Calling it powerful love from the paying clients may be too sort, however one factor has change into clear in current days inside the group’s locker room: Whereas a vocal phase of followers may favor Zappe, coaches and gamers are united in rallying behind Jones.

That a lot was clear within the aftermath of Sunday’s 22-17 win over the New York Jets when Belichick sought out Jones for an embrace, then the 2 did one thing related within the tunnel earlier than boarding the buses to depart MetLife Stadium.

“I assumed Mac did a pleasant job,” Belichick mentioned Monday after having an opportunity to assessment the sport wherein Jones completed 24 of 35 for 194 yards, with 1 TD and 1 INT, whereas including 4 rushes for 25 yards (not together with kneel-downs).

“We had strain on fairly a number of go performs, greater than we want, for certain. I assumed he made good choices and needed to pull the ball down a pair occasions and make some key runs for us. … I assumed he gave us quite a lot of good performs.”

Sunday was an necessary, but imperfect, day for Jones to begin constructing momentum after a rocky begin to the season, adopted by a three-game absence after struggling a excessive left ankle sprain, then a three-series cameo final Monday evening wherein followers referred to as for Zappe.

Belichick cited Jones’ toughness Sunday and added: “He managed our group properly. That’s what a quarterback’s job is to do — to assist the group win. That’s what he did.”

Jones lived on the sting at occasions with a number of questionable throws and was working for his life at different occasions resulting from shaky safety in opposition to a formidable Jets defensive entrance. He acknowledged there have been occasions he may have thrown the ball sooner to keep away from a sack (he was dropped six occasions).

The Patriots managed only one landing, to pair with 5 Nick People subject targets, with Jones saying: “We did sufficient to place factors up, however we wish to do higher. And we’ll.”

Jones’ remarks spotlight what seems to be a concerted effort to wipe the slate clear from his difficult begin to the season when frustrations generally bubbled to the floor.

“There’s clearly issues you may management, and for me, it’s simply my angle and energy, being a great teammate and displaying up and making an attempt to guide the fellows,” he mentioned.

Teammates see it too.

“He appeared able to go, man. Clearly, what occurred final week [33-14 loss to the Chicago Bears],” receiver Kendrick Bourne mentioned.

Jones mentioned Sunday that members of the offense “did further issues to return collectively as a group” main into the sport, which he believes should proceed to occur so as to produce higher outcomes.

“I assumed the method is there. I’m simply tremendous completely happy to be part of this and wish to proceed to develop right here,” he mentioned.

Receiver Jakobi Meyers mentioned final week that listening to residence followers cheering for Zappe was “powerful as a person to see anyone who labored so arduous get that type of therapy.” He as soon as once more had Jones’ again on Sunday

Now, an improved efficiency Sunday in opposition to lockdown cornerback Stephon Gilmore and the 3-4-1 Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS), earlier than heading into the Nov. 13 bye, is the aim.

“I wouldn’t say simply Mac. It wasn’t simply him on the market making an attempt to suit items of the puzzle collectively,” Meyers mentioned. “All of us type of needed to come collectively, block higher, run routes higher, get open higher for him, shield him. It doesn’t all fall on him.”