O’Brien also pushed back against the idea that Jones would benefit from taking a week off for a mental break, saying, “There’s no time for mental breaks.”
Before speaking to the media on Tuesday, O’Brien said the Patriots’ offensive coaches had a productive meeting focused on how the staff can help players perform their tasks better. After a player-free day on Monday, the team then held a rare Tuesday practice, which is not the normal schedule and is an indication of where the team is at 1-4 after two tough losses.
“We had a good basic meeting here about half an hour ago. We’re ready to go to practice, take things one day at a time and try to get out of it,” O’Brien explained.
In addition to backup Bailey Zappe as a possible option in case Jones struggles again, O’Brien was also asked whether practice squad rookie Malik Cunningham could get more opportunities, perhaps in a Taysom Hill-type package. Aside from imitating Hill in practice last week, O’Brien said Cunningham primarily works as a wide receiver, which was the case over the summer.
“Malik works very hard. He does a good job on the practice squad and plays a lot of receiver. Last week he played a quarterback, imitating (New Orleans Saints QB/Tight End) Taysom Hill,” the Patriots offensive coordinator said. “But he’s doing a really good job and continuing to improve. He is probably one of the most improved practice players we have. He’s a good guy to work with.”
New England will also have a reinforcement back, as second-year WR Tyquan Thornton is back at practice on Tuesday. Thornton isn’t the savior, but his 4.28 speed could give them a vertical element and someone who can beat man coverage with routes downfield.
New England will definitely make subtle changes on offense, but for those expecting the Patriots to have reflexively lost the last two games and by a combined score of 72-3, the Patriots don’t appear to have overreacted. The only way for this team to win again is through.