Patriots coach Jerod Mayo wipes his hands clean once his players step between the lines.
In bizarre comments to reporters after a 34-15 road loss to the Dolphins, Mayo said that the team’s penalty issues are not a product of poor coaching.
New England had 10 penalties accepted against the Dolphins, the second-most of any team in Week 12.
“Once those guys cross the white lines, there’s nothing I can do for them, Mayo told reporters after the game. “There’s nothing any coach can do for them once they cross the white line. It’s my job to continue to prepare not only them, but our coaches to go out here and play better football.”
Mayo did later note that the penalty issues “start with me.”
The Patriots have been called for 98 penalties season, the fifth-most in the NFL, while the Baltimore Ravens lead the NFL with 110 flags.
New England looked non-competitive against the Dolphins through three quarters Sunday, falling behind 31-0 before a couple of garbage-time scores made the final score slightly less ugly.
Mayo is in his first year as coach after taking over for six-time Patriots Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick.
The successor to the legendary coach has had a difficult time managing the media in his first year, repeatedly sounding uncertain when discussing Drake Maye vs. Jacoby Brissett during the preseason quarterback competition and watching star defensive end Matthew Judon throw fits in training camp before being traded.
Mayo’s lone bright spot during this dreadful season has been Maye, who appears to be a star in the making as a 22-year-old rookie quarterback.
The Patriots (3-9) host the Colts in Week 13.
