(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Joint practices for NFL teams are a great idea on paper, but not so much in reality.
They were supposed to give teams an opportunity to measure themselves against other competitors and ramp up their preparation ahead of the start of the season.
In reality, most players take it a little more seriously than they should, and it often turns into an ‘us vs. them’ kind of thing, thus leading to multiple brawls and fights.
With that in mind, New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has taken a very creative approach to this situation (via Patriots on CLNS Media).
Jerod Mayo says if you FIGHT and you’re a starter then will play a whole preseason game, if your not then you won’t play at all#patriots #nfl #newenglandpatriots
by @PrizePicks @Gametime pic.twitter.com/bzQITvNRSo
— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 13, 2024
Talking to the media, he revealed his plan for players getting into fights during joint practices.
He argued that, since players don’t actually fight in real games because they get fined or suspended, he’s developed his very own punishment system.
So, for starters incurring in this, he’s going to have them on the field for an entire preseason game.
And for those who aren’t starters and get into fights, there will be no playing time at all.
Truth be told, that seems to be a perfect solution.
Starters don’t want to be out there in the preseason; they want to keep their bodies out of harm’s way and stay sharp for when it actually counts.
Non-starters, on the other hand, are eager to get out there to prove that they can contribute.
Whether this will work or not remains to be seen, but it seems like a bright idea.
The post Jerod Mayo Reveals His Message To Players About Fights In Joint Practices appeared first on The Cold Wire.