Patriots defensive coaches refuse to reveal and claim not to know their own job titles

There’s starting from Square One, and then there’s whatever the Patriots defensive staff was trying to sell Monday about what they’re doing this offseason.

Three assistants declined to reveal their working title for the 2022 season by claiming they didn’t know it or denying its outright existence during individual video conference calls with reporters, while others side-stepped the topic.

“I don’t really know, and I don’t really care,” said Steve Belichick of his role next season, having serving as the outside linebackers coach and defensive play-caller the past three years. “Honestly, I just love coaching football.”

Because of his play-calling duties, and the absence of a named defensive coordinator on staff since 2017, speculation has grown that Steve Belichick could become the team’s next lead defensive coach. Will he?

“Fair question that I don’t have the answer to,” Steve Belichick said.

The only established coordinator is Cam Achord, who took over the Patriots’ special teams in 2020 and figures to again lead them this fall. But not so fast.

“I’m not going to comment on any coaching situations,” Achord said Monday.

Pats cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino answered close to 10 questions — most of them pertaining to newly drafted rookies Marcus Jones and Jack Jones– before being asked about his future. Pellegrino will coach cornerbacks again in 2022, right?

“That’s a good question,” he said. You’ll see.”

What about Bill Belichick, the NFL’s longest-tenured head coach who has also served as the team’s general manager, something volunteered by director of player personnel Matt Groh just last month?

“Honestly, I don’t really know what he’s going to do,” said his son, Steve, who believes Belichick will continue to be involved in all facets of the team’s football operations.

The closest revelation came from Steve’s brother, Brian, who confessed he’s been coaching the safeties, same as he has since the start of the 2019 season.

“We’re all just doing whatever is asked. I’ve worked with safeties this offseason,” Brian Belichick said.

And then there’s Jerod Mayo, the Patriots’ inside linebackers for three years running, according to the team’s own media guides. As for 2022: “I’m coaching defensive players,” Mayo said.

And then he circled back: “We all coach each position. We don’t do titles, we don’t have titles around here.”

Really?

“Honestly, I just like to say I’m a football coach,” Mayo said. “I’m not trying to be ambiguous here. … I coach football players. I’m a teacher.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/tVEuQKc