Belichick talks new C’s interim coach
Spent part of Aug. 31 practice with Mazzulla
FOXBORO >> On Aug. 31, the first day the Patriots practiced with their regular- season roster after final cuts, Bill Belichick spent the entirety of warmups and initial drills chatting.
He spoke with then Celtics assistant Joe Mazzulla, who has since been promoted to interim head coach following Ime Udoka’s one-year suspension for violating the team’s code of conduct. Mazzulla, 34, joined Boston’s staff in 2019, following two years as the head coach at Fairmont State in Fairmont, West Virginia, and one season working with the Maine Red Claws, the Celtics’ G League affiliate. Mazzulla, a Rhode Island native, played college ball at West Virginia and has seemingly made a favorable impression on Belichick since he joined the coaching ranks.
“Yeah, had a great opportunity to visit. (I’ve) always had a great relationship with all those guys for multiple years — Brad (Stevens), then as Brad stepped down, you know, other people that have come in there,” Belichick said Friday of the visit. “So very interesting just talking about pro athletes, pro sports, teaching, learning and so forth. It was a good day.”
Belichick has been spotted at dozens of Celtics games over the years and attended multiple playoff games during the C’s run to the NBA Finals last spring. He and Stevens have built a friendship dating back to Stevens’ hiring as head coach in 2013. Last May, Stevens spoke to their bond during an radio appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
“I’ve gotten a chance to know him pretty well over the years, and he’s been nice enough to let me come down to several practices and some OTAS. And we’ve
spent some time at our games as well back when I was coaching, he would pop his head in before the game and then a couple games this year, he’s come up and spent a quarter with us. It’s really nice of him to do that,” said Stevens, now the president of basketball operations.
He later added: “I mean, ( Belichick)’s a really good guy. He’s really — I don’t know how well you guys know him or whatever — but just very funny. Obviously, has great insights. He’s a person that you could sit and listen to talk about building a cohesive group and everybody pulling in one direction and doing all of the things that lead to winning every day all day. But he’s always been really good to me.”
Meyers, Dugger questionable
Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and safety Kyle Dugger practiced on Friday for the first time this week and were officially listed as questionable.
Both players are dealing with knee injuries.
Cornerback Jalen Mills was limited for a second straight day by his new hamstring injury. He was one of the six other players listed as questionable, including safety Adrian Phillips (ribs) and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux ( back).
In Baltimore, quarterback Lamar Jackson was cleared to play despite a sore right elbow, but offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley was ruled doubtful with an ankle injury.
OT Cannon coming on strong
Moments after the Patriots traded third-year offensive tackle Justin Herron to the Raiders on Wednesday, practice- squad veteran Marcus Cannon wore a black jersey at practice, indicating he had been named a Practice Player of the Week for his work leading up to last week’s win at Pittsburgh. Coincidence? Unlikely.
Bill Belichick seemed to confirm Friday that Cannon’s resurgence factored into the team’s willingness to part with Herron in a swap of late-round draft picks.
“Yeah, look, it’s always good to have good players and Marcus (Cannon) looks like he’s coming around well,” Belichick said. “We’ll see how it goes, but so far so good.”
The 34-year- old Cannon returned to New England after spending last season in Houston, where the Patriots traded him in spring 2021. A back injury limited him to just four games. Cannon officially signed to the team’s practice squad on Sept. 12, and he currently projects as the Pats’ No. 4 option behind starters Trent Brown and Isaiah Wynn and new swing tackle Yodny Cajuste.
“(Cannon) has a great attitude, had a good week of practice, was impressive out there,” Belichick said. “So he’s good.”
Davis wins NFLPA award
Patriots safety Cody Davis was named the NFL Players Association Community MVP for Week 3 after hosting two video game sessions as part of his outreach program, “Cody’s Gamers,” which connects him with patients at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Davis started the program earlier this year and purchased a Nintendo Switch gaming system for the hospital. According to an NFLPA release, he plays a video game of one patient’s choice once a month via Zoom. Patients also receive personalized gift baskets from Davis.
Last week, he connected with two patients, including a six-yearold recovering from major surgery.
“I’m truly honored and humbled to be named the Week 3 NFLPA Community MVP” Davis said via the release. “I strive to use the gifts and platform that God has given me to love and serve others. I hope to serve as an example that an impact can be made no matter your role or platform.”
In honor of Davis being named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to his charity or foundation of choice.