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Mike Reiss, ESPN Employees Author
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones highlighted one of many prime areas he is hoping to enhance in his third NFL season: having extra enjoyable on the sphere.
“That is one of many issues this offseason that I put numerous thought in to — simply having fun with the sport,” Jones mentioned Thursday after the Patriots’ eighth coaching camp follow.
“I really feel I would like to try this higher — simply attempt to lead the crew extra so from the psychological facet. Clearly, the performs and the bodily stuff is there. I’ve all the time type of been a enjoyable individual — hopefully individuals agree, that is why individuals prefer to play with me. I simply need to be constant there. I really feel like generally if I am not constant, you’ll be able to inform.”
It confirmed at instances in 2022, when Jones’ feelings on the sphere and on the sideline overflowed in the course of the Patriots’ 8-9 season.
Jones has mentioned that the 2023 season, below new offensive coordinator Invoice O’Brien, is a contemporary begin for him and an opportunity to regain the belief of everybody within the Patriots’ group. One in all his mottos has been: “I will run my very own race and hopefully everybody will observe behind me.”
That has manifested itself on the sphere at coaching camp, the place Jones is the clear-cut starter and there have been spontaneous dances after landing passes to veteran receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
“Truthfully, Mac pulls up and we simply make up new dances as we go,” Smith-Schuster mentioned. “That dude — he is a spark in our offense. It begins with him, and we type of all feed off it. When he is having enjoyable, we’re having enjoyable and the boldness stage is thru the roof.”
Jones added: “Placing within the work is crucial half, however now we have to have that juice on daily basis.”
Jones additionally identified that having enjoyable on the sphere begins with successful, which is a results of gamers doing good issues constantly.
He did extra of that as a rookie in 2021, beginning all 17 video games and finishing 352 of 521 passes for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. That earned him a visit to the Professional Bowl as an alternate.
However his second season, which coincided with coach Invoice Belichick revamping the offense and assigning longtime defensive coach Matt Patricia to hold out his imaginative and prescient because the playcaller, was a step again. Jones missed three-plus video games attributable to a high-ankle sprain and completed 288-of-422 for two,997 yards, with 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Jones additionally was fined twice by the NFL for pointless roughness and as soon as for unsportsmanlike conduct.
As a part of turning the web page in 2023, Jones was named one of many Patriots’ 12 offseason award winners, serving to him enter coaching camp with optimistic momentum.
“That is one thing I am attempting to work on, attempting to remain the course,” he mentioned. “However on the identical time, have enjoyable. And when unhealthy issues occur, settle for it and transfer on.”