Felger: The Jack Jones release is embarrassing
The New England Patriots have reportedly waived cornerback Jack Jones following their most recent loss to the Indianapolis Colts. On Monday’s Felger and Mazz, Felger gave this thoughts on the release of Jack Jones and how the Patriots have operated as a whole.
The Jack Jones release is embarrassing for the Patriots…
Felger: Then we have the news today that I referenced, Jack Jones’s release. This is embarrassing. The whole Jack Jones and J.C. Jackson thing is just embarrassing. It’s just they’re insistent in just the cutting of corners. How it’s just come back to them so badly on the coaching staff, on the football staff, on the roster, the cutting of corners. The cheaping out on football players just is coming back and coming home to roost so badly and so embarrassingly. The only reason Jack Jones is even here and the only reason he’s a fourth round pick is because the guy’s an epic putz, so he’s available in the fourth round and you take him because he’s value and even though he mouths off to you and you have to suspend him at the end of last year, you keep him because he’s cheap. And then he rolls through Logan with guns but you keep him because he’s cheap and then he comes back and he’s blowing through team meetings or skipping on the team hotel, whatever that was last week, and you keep him because he’s got cheap rookie contract. And now what happened he went to Germany right and he played, so what did he do on the plane home? What did he do? Something had to happen there.
Jim Murray: Well, the night before, he was tweeting about how he’s got like too much time on his hands. He can’t fall asleep. Like you could tell he wasn’t happy about being in Germany.
Felger: So you bring this guy with you all the way over there just to cut him on the way back on the plane back? I mean that’s basically what happened, right?
Mazz: Yeah, maybe they knew he didn’t want to go and that’s why they took him. Like in other words, to punish him.
Felger: And the whole thing is just, it’s a guy like that being on your team, a guy like J.C. Jackson being on your team should be beneath you. I know it’s probably not. You’ve had guys like that all the way through and we’ve just ignored it because you kept winning. But they should be beneath you and your standards and your quality. I guess they’re just not. I guess if you’re just a if you’re a cheaply poorly run organization, I guess those guys are on your team. But I would hate to think that that’s what represent you. But I feel like really in the last couple of years, it really feels like that’s what’s represented you. Joe Judge. Matt Patricia. Jack Jones. J.C. Jackson. Guys that are being paid for by other teams or that are just super affordable and that’s why they’re here. It just feels more and more when you lose that’s what comes to represent you. And I think that’s what’s come to represent you.
Listen to Felger and Mazz from 2-6 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Mike Felger, Tony “Mazz” Massarotti, and Jim Murray “Big Jim”. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @FelgerAndMazz on Twitter to keep up with the show!
Patriots Ups & Downs: Who stood out in a loss to the Colts in Germany?
The New England Patriots are 2-8 on the season after losing 10-6 to the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt, Germany. Here are nine players (and one entire unit) that we graded “UP” or “DOWN” based on their performance on Sunday…
DOWN: QB Mac Jones
Nov 12, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) is forced out of bounds by Indianapolis Colts defensive end Adetomiwa Adebawore (95) in the third quarter during an International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
It really is incredible how Jones consistently comes up with his worst plays at the worst possible times.
For much of the game against the Colts, the problem wasn’t so much the quarterback as the receivers’ inability to get open or protect the ball, and at times the pass-blocking. But there’s no excuse for Jones’ late-fourth-quarter interception that essentially sealed the Patriots’ fate.
Jones was facing a little bit of pressure on the play, so it looked like a quick decision was necessary for him to avoid a sack. But Jones still rushed the throw off his back foot, despite having Mike Gesicki open in the end zone, resulting in an ugly underthrow and a Julian Blackmon intercepts Mac Jones at the goal line!
📺: #INDvsNE on NFL Network
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Julian Blackmon intercepts Mac Jones at the goal line!
— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2023
📺: #INDvsNE on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/d4RDZpceuE pic.twitter.com/K0AHBzjFwM
Once again, Jones had a chance to deliver a clutch drive to go ahead and possibly escape Germany with a win, but came up woefully short in a pressure situation. That could be the story of Jones’ career, even if he continues to start games and gets a better offense around him. His decision-making under duress is at times abysmal, and this Patriots team isn’t nearly good enough to overcome them.
DOWN: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
Nov 12, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) talks with New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (7) after an NFL International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Smith-Schuster had more penalties (2) than catches (1). A false start late in the second quarter stalled a drive, then an illegal shift in the fourth quarter wiped out what should’ve been an 18-yard run by Ezekiel Elliott.
The Patriots are basically playing Smith-Schuster out of necessity at this point. But he continues to be a net negative for an offense that really needed him to make an impact this season.
UP: WR Demario Douglas
Nov 12, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas (81) carries the ball against Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon (27) in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Douglas did his part. For this Patriots offense, six catches for 84 yards is a monster game. Douglas’ late 21-yard catch-and-run helped set up the Pats’ late scoring opportunity, which ended with the Jones interception.
At least the Pats know they have one skilled player on offense that can be a building block for the future.
DOWN: TE Hunter Henry
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 12: Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots misses a catch in the endzone as Julian Blackmon #32 of the Indianapolis Colts applies pressure in the fourth quarter during the NFL match between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots at Deutsche Bank Park on November 12, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Three low-impact catches for Henry in this one, but he punched his ticket to “DOWN” land when he fumbled the ball early in the second quarter. Henry was fortunate that teammate David Andrews dove on the loose ball to keep it in the Pats’ possession.
Henry hasn’t been playing his best football over the course of the Patriots’ most recent losing streak. He’s another guy they can’t afford to have struggle on the field.
UP: RB Ezekiel Elliott
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 12: Ezekiel Elliott #15 of the New England Patriots runs the ball in the second quarter during the NFL match between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots at Deutsche Bank Park on November 12, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Elliott is one of the few (only?) Patriots players that seems to have improved as the season has gone along. He ran hard and decisively on Sunday, averaging 4.2 yards per carry and catching two passes for 34 yards. Had the Pats pulled out the win in the end, Elliott would’ve been a big reason why.
UP: LB Jahlani Tavai
Nov 12, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; New England Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai (48) reacts after a play against the Indianapolis Colts in the third quarter during an International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Myles Bryant came down with the interception on Gardner Minshew in the third quarter, but it was Tavai who actually made the play when he leaped and tipped the pass midair. Tavai’s excellent season continues. A rare bright spot in an otherwise demoralizing season.
UP: C David Andrews
Nov 12, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) calls a play at the line against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter during an International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Andrews gets an “UP” for recovering that fumble from Henry, and for his work in the run game. He’s had a solid season overall, and he’s set a good example by continuing to work hard and compete on game days despite the Patriots’ trying season.
DOWN: RG Sidy Sow
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 12: Ezekiel Elliott #15 of the New England Patriots runs the ball in the first quarter during the NFL match between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots at Deutsche Bank Park on November 12, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Sow had trouble with some of the pass-rushing concepts the Colts were throwing at him, which contributed to Jones taking five sacks. He’s a rookie and has looked promising at times, and he’s played a role in stabilizing the offensive line in recent weeks. But a game like this reminds you he’s still got a lot to learn.
UP: P Bryce Baringer
Nov 12, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; New England Patriots punter Bryce Baringer (17) and place kicker Chad Ryland (37) react after a missed field goal against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The kickers today looked like they were in Denver. Baringer averaged 62.5 yards on his punts with a long of 79, pinning one inside the 20. He did have two touchbacks. But Baringer deserves an attaboy for this one, because he he’s seldom looked that good in his rookie year.
DOWN: Return Coverage
Nov 12, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (6) celebrates after a 42-yard kickoff return against the New England Patriots in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
This Patriots team can’t afford to give up long returns. Isaiah McKenzie’s 42-yard kick return in the fourth quarter was a killer, as it helped set up a Colts field goal. It’s hard to blame any one player for the bad coverage, so we’re giving the thumbs down to the whole unit, players and coaches.
