McCourty backs Jones as Pats’ future
'Mac has all the intangibles'
During his Monday appearance on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football,” Patriots safety Devin McCourty was pressed about Mac Jones’ place in New England and whether he’s the long-term answer at quarterback.
McCourty didn’t mince words.
“I think he’s the future of New England. I think you’re wrong if you don’t think that,” McCourty said. “He’s in that building right now doing different things, working with guys, talking to guys, that’s what he wants. He wants to be that quarterback.”
McCourty, a guest host on the show all this week, backed Jones for several minutes after reminding viewers that in 2014 there was a cry to put Jimmy Garoppolo in over Tom Brady. Then Brady kept playing, won four more Super Bowls and only recently retired. Meanwhile, Jones showed real promise during his rookie season of 2021, but following the departure of Josh McDaniels, didn’t fare as well under the guidance of new offensive assistants Matt Patricia and Joe Judge.
McCourty still believes after all of that, “sky’s the limit” for Jones.
“I’m excited for this guy this year, because now, you get Billy O’Brien coming in as the offensive coordinator who’s had great success, has done well everywhere he’s been offensively. He gets to come in now and work with Mac. He’s going to have stability around him,” McCourty said.
Pressed further about rumors that Jones had rubbed people the wrong way inside the facility, McCourty says that happens from time to time with team leaders. Jones was voted a captain for the first time last season, but McCourty said he served as a de facto captain late in the 2021 campaign.
“He wants to win. I think that’s what it’s about. He comes from a winning pedigree at Alabama,” he said. “But I think some of the rumbling that always comes out, we always talk about this, ‘Sources say Mac Jones rubbing people the wrong way.’ Who?
”Did he rub somebody the wrong way in a meeting? Probably. Have people left meetings and said, ‘Dev’s an A-hole today?’ Yeah.”
McCourty suggested any frustration Jones might have shown publicly was born out of competitiveness, and that Jones giving his feedback about plays he didn’t like is something that Bill Belichick actually encourages.
“The thing I love about Mac is that he came into a leadership role as a quarterback and he speaks to what he thinks,” McCourty said.
The 35-year-old, who has yet to decide on whether he’s returning for another season, believes the Patriots will add another receiver this offseason to help their young quarterback. McCourty also hopes they retain Jones’ leading wideout the past two years, Jakobi Meyers, who is an impending free agent.
“I think Mac has all the intangibles and the things you want in a quarterback,” McCourty said. “He’s only in his second year, going into his third year, his third offensive coordinator. Hopefully Bill (O’Brien) is there for a while, and I think you’ll see the true growth.”
Jeremiah picks 5 future Pats
The NFL Draft is two months away, but NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah doesn’t need any more time to identify his best fits for the Patriots in this year’s class.
Projected top-20 picks Northwestern offensive tackle Peter Skoronski and Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon are the headliners, followed by Iowa edge rusher Lukas Van Ness, Georgia Tech edge rusher Keion White and North Dakota State offensive lineman Cody Mauch. Skoronski and Witherspoon would immediately address areas of need for the Patriots, who are scheduled to make their first selection at 14th overall.
“Because they value ball skills and instincts and awareness so much in the secondary,” Jeremiah said of the Patriots, “(Witherspoon) definitely fits in that regard.”
Witherspoon finished the year as a first-team All-American after recording three interceptions and 17 pass breakups. Skoronski is a multi-year starter at left tackle, who is believed to be one of the safest prospects in the entire draft. As for White, who has a range of draft grades from top-15 to mid-second round, Jeremiah noted he would offer the Patriots prized versatility up front, even if he doesn’t play a position of need.
“He is almost six-five, 280 pounds. He could be an edge setter, which they’ve always valued; the physicality to set the edge in the run game. Trying to find body types like Willie McGinest going all the way back, it’s hard to find guys that are that big and that strong that can still move,” Jeremiah said. “He could be one I would say that would kind of fit that profile. A real smart player, as well.”
Van Ness, who didn’t start at Iowa but is nonetheless projected to go in the first round, also brings an insideoutside versatility as a pass rusher. He’s expected to test as one of the strongest and most athletic players at his position. Mauch played offensive tackle in college, but got kicked inside at the Senior Bowl. Scouts tout his toughness and run-blocking.
Pats arrive in Indy
Patriots director of player personnel Matt Groh and director of college scouting Camren Williams landed in Indianapolis with close to a half-dozen team staffers late Monday morning. It’s unknown whether Bill Belichick will join his top evaluators later this week at the NFL Combine. Team interviews with prospects began Monday night and will run through the end of the week, when most players will test before NFL decision-makers.