Mike Lombardi on Mac Jones: ‘He was in danger of either changing what he did, or he is going to lose his job’
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is dealing with a severe high ankle sprain. The former Alabama star is expected to miss multiple games. Jones is reportedly getting a second opinion on his injured ankle before deciding on having surgery or rehabbing it over time.
With Jones about to miss time and the Patriots turning to Brian Hoyer under center, it didn't take long for media heads close to Bill Belichick to blast the young quarterback.
Former Patriots assistant to the coaching staff Mike Lombardi blasted Jones over his play to begin the season. Lombardi went as far as saying that had Jones not gotten hurt, he could have been in danger of losing his job.
On the “GM Shuffle” podcast, Lombardi went on to say, “New England is not doing anything they stand for. They want to avoid losing before they win. As much as I like Mac Jones. I thought Mac Jones would protect the ball and play smarter than he’s played.
“Now he’s hurt with the high ankle [sprain]. To me, he was in danger of either changing what he did, or he is going to lose his job. You’re not going to play in the NFL if you keep turning the ball over the way he was,” added Lombardi.
Jones has turned the ball over six times in three games. He has five interceptions and one fumble. It’s hard to imagine that the Patriots would turn the ball over to Hoyer or Bailey Zappe with Jones healthy. Belichick has always preached protecting the football, which has been an issue for this Patriots team.
“Part of the allure for me with Mac Jones is that he was going to be a smart player. Protect the football at all costs. But he’s playing out of control. What does he think he is? He is throwing up the ball for grabs. Seriously. You’re not overly skilled, so when you’re not overly skilled, you have to make up for it with good decisions, good placement. You can’t hurt your team like he’s been hurting his team,” added Lombardi.
The Patriots coaching staff, including Matt Patricia said that the team was going to look to take more downfield shots this season. The inability for the offensive line to protect Jones has been an issue.
“Mac coming out of college, he had some big plays downfield,” Patricia said. “He had some receivers that could get down field and he could get the ball out to them and throw some really accurate passes in those situations where you have opportunity for big plays. Certainly for us, as we looked at it through the spring and trying to work through training camp that’s been something we’re trying to do.”
The Lombardi comments sounds more like a former Patriots assistant carrying the water for Belichick. There is no doubt that Jones hasn’t looked good in the first three games and there should be accountability for his play. On the flip side, there needs to be accountability from the Patriots coaching staff and that hasn’t yet materialized.
It seems like right now on the outside looking in that Jones and the Patriots coaching staff are not on the same page. From his play on the field to how to handle his injured ankle, they’re at odds. If Jones has surgery and returns quicker, you know who won this battle.
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