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With all the world’s attention focused on Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, a leading defense had its sights set on another target Sunday night: New England Patriots rookie Mac Jones.
In an ongoing theme, Jones has been hit 12 times against Tampa Bay – a new season high. Appearing on WEEI’s “Merloni & Fauria” Monday, the New England quarterback admitted that getting hit is something that will happen in football games.
“I think that’s part of the game,” Jones explained. “Like backyard football, you’re going to be affected. This is kind of the fun part. You just roll with the punches and get up.
Over the course of the year, Jones was hit 32 times in total in the Patriots’ three losses, while he was hit just twice in the lone win over the New York Jets. While the offensive line – which has been deprived of right forward Trent Brown for all but seven snaps – has been largely responsible, Jones says he’s part of the problem.
“Lots of things – I always say that, and I don’t say it to say it, but I can do a better job of whether it’s moving or taking the ball out or just engaging in the throw, whatever. maybe start it, “Jones told WEEI.” I just learned from those successes. The offensive line played well – actually really well. Of course, sometimes you’re going to get hit when a team puts more pressure, and you just have to roll with the punches.
Despite constant pressure throughout the night at Gillette Stadium, Jones may have played his best professional game on the biggest stage of his young career, outdoing the legend on the other side of the pitch in terms of traditional stats and advanced measurements. He put the Patriots in a position to win the game, but his third pass to a wide open Jakobi Meyers was beaten at the scrimmage line in New England’s last practice.
“The last minute of the game, we were a game or two away,” Jones said. “We have said that over and over again this is what it boils down to. If the guy doesn’t put his hand up, or whatever happens, and the ball doesn’t tip over, it’s just a whole different game. It’s boring, but it’s part of football. It’s not always going to work your way, but you just have to keep moving forward and try to get wins on the board.
After the failed pass to Meyers, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick went for a 56-yard field goal on the fourth and third – which kicker Nick Folk hit from the left upright.
Jones had no problem with the decision to call for a field goal with 59 seconds left.
“[Coach Belichick] make the right decisions most of the time. We will stay behind his decision no matter what, ”he said. “If we had to go, everything would be fine. We decided to hit it and that’s what it is.
The Patriots will look to keep Mac clean and return to the winning column next week against the Houston Texans.
Follow Brian on Twitter @iambrianhines!
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