Tag: devin mccourty

Matthew Slater reached out to Patriots legends, including Tom Brady, for post-career advice

Matthew Slater has reached out to multiple Patriots legends, including Tom Brady, for advice on life after football

New England Patriots long-time special teams ace and captain Matthew Slater has spent time calling and getting advice from former Patriots players on his future after football.

Retirement isn’t a certainty, but there’s a chance Slater could be playing in the final game of his career on Sunday.

So he is reaching out to former teammates, like Devin McCourty, Jerod Mayo and even former legendary quarterback Tom Brady for advice. When speaking with the media, Slater offered a little insight into some of his conversations, as transcribed by NESN.com’s Zack Cox.

“I’ve spoken with all those guys about crossing over, so to speak, and what that experience was like for them,” Slater said. “I think all three of them were in pretty unique positions. Tom probably feels like he can still play to this day. Jerod obviously had his injuries, and then Devin made his decision last year. But it’s been helpful. It’s been helpful to talk to those guys about their experience, take their feedback.”

Slater began his career with the Patriots in 2008 and has served as a cornerstone of the special teams unit ever since. He’s been named to 10 Pro Bowls, as well as the Patriots’ All-Dynasty team.

In addition to those accolades, he was also a big part of three Patriots Super Bowls.

The good news for Patriots fans is Slater has at least one more game to play this Sunday against the New York Jets. One has to wonder if this will be the final time we see him on a football field.

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Devin McCourty admits Patriots more at fault for Mac Jones’ struggles

Devin McCourty put the onus on the Patriots for Mac Jones’ shaky development.

Devin McCourty has a deep love and appreciation for the New England Patriots organization, but he’s also fair in his critique of the team, particularly on the unfolding situation involving quarterback Mac Jones.

The former legendary Patriots safety was asked who was more at fault for Jones’ struggles under center. While some have been quick to put the blame on the player, McCourty took a different route and put the onus back on the organization.

“I mean, to me it’s a no brainer,” said McCourty, when appearing on “The Greg Hill Show,” via WEEI’s Mike Kadlick. “Everybody in the organization’s raved about the guy’s work ethic. How he’s there early, he’s there late. So, to me, it’s hard to just say, like, it’s his fault… I don’t think, no matter how you feel about him, I don’t think you’d walk away from the situation and say, ‘Hey, you know, this situation that they built around him was really good, and he just didn’t get the job done.’ Like, to me, there’s no way, if you’re gonna be factual, you gotta look, there’s just no way.

“But I think. overall, if you say, ‘Hey, which side do you see more at fault?’ To me it’s no doubt the organization, what’s been put around him, for these straight three years.”

McCourty pointed to great examples of the Patriots failing Jones, including the fact that Jones has had three different offensive coordinators in the last three years, letting Jakobi Meyers walk in free agency and severely limiting Kendrick Bourne’s snaps last season.

The Patriots failed to develop Jones into the quarterback they needed him to be. There have also been issues on the offensive line, which has led to both Jones and backup Bailey Zappe being sack lunches this season.

Zappe was sacked five times in the 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Not even Patrick Mahomes could succeed with the ongoing issues in New England right now.

Jones never stood a chance.

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Devin McCourty gives interesting answer as to why he retired

Devin McCourty was brutally honest about the way he came to his decision to retire from football.

New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty had some revealing comments when talking about why he retired in the offseason.

McCourty was a staple of the Patriots defense for 12 years and became one of the cornerstone players for the franchise. He had an incredible career that included three Super Bowl wins, two Pro Bowl selections and 971 total tackles.

The Rutgers product was drafted in 2009 and was one of the most successful first-round picks of the Bill Belichick era. Still, McCourty knew when it was time to hang up the cleats.

He appeared on “The Greg Hill Show” recently and was asked if the Patriots’ struggles factored into his decision to retire.

“I think I definitely thought it was gonna be a tough season,” said McCourty. “I think, overall, I just didn’t think there would be enough. Like, last week we talked about is this team going to be a contender next year? No. So coming off last year and think we would be a contender in 2023, no. But in my overall decision, I would say no because I was kind of done no matter what.

“…But I think when you play a season, and you’ve been on Super Bowl teams, you know, ‘Like, alright, this team is close.’ And I played on teams where we didn’t go to the Super Bowl or we might’ve lost, but I’m like, ‘Man, next year, we’re still gonna have a chance.’ I think this team’s just a few years away from having a chance to get back into being contenders. I didn’t think they would be 2-7 right now. But I think, overall, I was gonna be 36 this year, I’m like, ‘Man, if I’m not playing for a Super Bowl, what’s the point of putting my body through more pain?'”

It could be argued that McCourty was simply done with football after a long career. However, it could also be argued that he realized the Patriots were heading towards a struggle period for the franchise.

New England is struggling this year, and they are hobbling to a losing season for a second straight season. Whatever the case may be, McCourty might have made a smart decision in hanging up the cleats.

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Will Patriots fire Bill Belichick? Devin McCourty has interesting take

Devin McCourty had an interesting take on Bill Belichick’s future with the Patriots

It’s been a difficult season for the New England Patriots and coach Bill Belichick. Some are even speculating that it may be his last in Foxboro.

However, there are some, like former longtime Patriots safety Devin McCourty, who believe that Belichick might still be the one barking orders from the sidelines for the team in 2024.

The Patriots are in the midst of a difficult season and currently sitting at 2-7. If the season ended today, they’d get the No. 5 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft. They are falling behind the rest of the pack in the AFC after recently dropping a disappointing 20-17 loss to the Washington Commanders.

“It’s too hard to say. I think yes,” McCourty said, when asked if he thought Belichick would still be the coach in 2024 on “The Greg Hill Show”. “But I think, overall, to say yes or no right now when they still have the rest of the season to play, I think that’s hard to just definitely say he’s definitely gonna be the coach when all we do every day is read all of these rumors and reports that continue to come out week by week.

“So, who knows? But I do think, if he decides to still coach, he still can coach a team and be coaching a winning football team.”

A Belichick return in 2024 would certainly garner mixed reviews.

New England is struggling right now, and a change of scenery may be what’s best for both Belichick and the organization moving forward. One thing is for certain: The 2024 offseason will be one full of tough decisions for the Patriots.

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Devin McCourty has theory about Josh McDaniels returning to Patriots

Devin McCourty would be surprised if the Patriots don’t reach out to Josh McDaniels for a job.

Former New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty would be quite surprised if the team did not call Josh McDaniels, following his recent firing from the Las Vegas Raiders as head coach.

McDaniels was fired on Tuesday night, marking the end to his tenure. He recorded a 9-16 record with Las Vegas, after accepting the job in January 2022. This brings his career head coaching record to 20-33, after he went 11-17 with the Denver Broncos in 2009 and 2010.

McDaniels has been more successful as an assistant coach with the Patriots. He most recently was the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2021.

McCourty spoke on “The Greg Hill Show” on Wednesday and indicated he would not be surprised if McDaniels returned to New England, via WEEI’s Mike Kadlick.

“I would not be surprised if Josh was back on staff,” said McDaniels. “But I also, you know, if I’m Josh like, hey man, we’ve still got four and a half years fully guaranteed. For this year, let’s take a little mental break for the rest of this season.

“…I think for New England, Josh has had so much success over there. I would be shocked if they don’t at least call him and say ‘Hey, do you want to come back and lend a helping hand, of some sort.'”

McDaniels could potentially be a welcome mind for a Patriots organization that has been struggling to find success as of late.

Quarterback Mac Jones had his best year with McDaniels as offensive coordinator. So bringing him back into the fold could be a great long-term move, especially if the team wants to continue building around Jones.

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Here’s what Patriots WR DeVante Parker said about recent criticism

DeVante Parker responds to the recent backlash from his post-game comments.

New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker has suffered some backlash due to the comments he made following his drop in the New England Patriots’ loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Several NFL pundits weighed in, including Devin McCourty.

The former Patriots safety came to Parker’s defense during an appearance on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show”. Per McCourty, how Parker says things and acts in the locker room is more important than what he says to the media.

“As a player, no I don’t care what he says to the media,” said McCourty. …How is he in the locker room? What is he saying? What’s his actions? That’s way more important than what you decide to do when there’s a bunch of cameras in your face.

“Everybody’s different when it comes to answering questions and talking to the media. So, I wouldn’t necessarily take that as the golden standard of what he said in front of the camera. I would take how he acts, what he does in the locker room, more seriously.”

Parker had one reception for seven yards in last Sunday’s loss and dropped a key pass that would have kept a potential game-winning drive alive late in the fourth quarter.

“He’s 100 percent right. Sometimes you don’t tell it all, everything, to the media,” Parker said, via A to Z Sports’ Sophie Weller. “So you just move on, really move on and really look forward to next week. You just forget about it. It’s over with. Next week. Next game.”

In a separate interview with MassLive’s Mark Daniels, when asked about the backlash he’s received from fans, Parker said that he hasn’t been on social media.

“I haven’t been on Twitter or nothing, so I don’t know what’s going on,” said Parker. “I haven’t seen nothing. People haven’t said nothing [in person]. I’m just looking forward to a new week, new start.”

Parker’s production will need to increase, as New England continues searching for a spark at the wide receiver position. There’s no better chance to change the narrative than having a big day against the Buffalo Bills in Week 7.

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Devin McCourty paints bleak picture for 2023 Patriots

Devin McCourty dropped some hard, realistic truths about the 2023 Patriots

The New England Patriots are receiving criticism following their 34-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, and it’s coming from all directions.

That includes former Patriots players in the media circle, like Devin McCourty, who painted a bleak picture on Sunday evening.

New England currently sits at 1-4 and is at the bottom of the AFC East division. They have a minus 76-point differential and have not won a game at home.

The last time New England won a home football game was on January 1 against the Miami Dolphins. To say that things are bleak to start the 2023 season would be an understatement.

McCourty does not believe that things are in line to get any better, either.

“In New England it comes with a certain kind of pressure to produce, and right now they’re not producing,” McCourty said on the Sunday Night Football on NBC halftime show, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “And I don’t know if it’s going to look any better. That is the scary thing in New England right now.”

The Patriots have a difficult schedule remaining, with games against the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs still to go.

Several aspects of the team are underperforming at the moment and New England fans hope the tide turns soon.

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Devin McCourty admits Bill Belichick needs a change in philosophy

Devin McCourty admits change is needed in New England

Former New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty believes it’s time for a change in philosophy for coach Bill Belichick.

New England currently sits at 1-3 and near the bottom of the AFC East. New England’s defense has held their own against tough opponents, while the offense has struggled throughout the first four games, ranking 31st in points per game.

Belichick has always hung his hat on strong defensive play. However, the league is starting to gravitate to the offensive side of the football more and more. McCourty indicated that having Tom Brady always allowed the team to find success with defense as the primary focal point, but things have obviously changed for the team.

“I think he’s going to have to change his philosophy a little bit,” McCourty said, when appearing on “The Greg Hill Show,” via NESN’s Adam London. “Back in the day, games were won on a regular basis — 13-10 or, you know, 17-14. Those games are really hard.

“…Having a game like Brady, from an offensive standpoint, you jump up and you’re top three in the league every year in scoring and then your defense usually finishes in the top 10 in scoring defense. It balances out perfectly. Now, your defense is top 10 in scoring — sometimes top five — but your offense is 30th or 28th. Now, it’s not balancing out. So, I think they would be better off defensively and switching some of these weapons up and diving more into an offensive standpoint.”

It is certainly a strong argument made by McCourty.

No longer is defense the sole key to winning football games. Now, a potent offense is needed more than ever. Will the Patriots adjust to the times? That remains to be seen.

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Devin McCourty doesn’t think Mac Jones is dirty but questions antics

Devin McCourty gave a fair take on the dirty player accusations being hurled at Mac Jones

Mac Jones isn’t expected to be suspended for his alleged low blow to New York Jets cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, but the entire incident has fed into the narrative that the New England Patriots quarterback is a dirty player.

There have been multiple on-field incidents involving Jones that has some questioning his intentions. Former Patriots defensive end Chris Long recently went as far as calling Jones one of the top-five dirties quarterbacks of all time.

Devin McCourty, the former legendary Patriots safety, took a different approach with the situation. He didn’t call Jones dirty, but he does believe the third-year signal-caller should do a better job of not getting himself involved in questionable incidents.

“…Once you’re involved in too many of these situations, it is what it is,” said McCourty, when appearing on “The Greg Hill Show”. “You can’t come back and say, ‘No, this is what I meant to do.’ There’s a lot of players that play this game, and they’re not involved in any of these things.

“So, I think he does need to do a better job of finding his way out of, whatever it is you want to call it. The twisting of the ankle. I think Chicago, it was like the kick on a slide or something. Even last year, when cutting my guy, the corner in Miami, Eli Apple. All of these different things, I think for anybody, you can’t keep defending the same thing. So, I think he needs to do a better job of that. I don’t think he’s a dirty player or a dirty person, and I think somewhere along the line, his competitive edge, he’s doing things you don’t really need to have on the football field, ever.”

To be fair, it’s hard to tell for sure if Jones intentionally went below the belt on Gardner. It wasn’t a situation where he reared significantly back and threw his hand in that direction.

But to McCourty’s point, Jones does seem to put himself in these situations too often for comfort. You have to wonder if the next incident could lead to a suspension or potentially even entice an opposing defense to start taking cheap shots at him.

Whether intentional or unintentional, none of this is a good look for Jones or the Patriots.

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32 days till Patriots season opener: Every player to wear No. 32 for New England

Here’s a list of every Patriots player to wear the No. 32 jersey number

The New England Patriots are officially 32 days away from their season opener against the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles. So we’re continuing our countdown series by listing every Patriots player that has ever worn the No. 32 jersey.

It’s going to be hard envisioning anyone ever wearing that number again after Devin McCourty spent the last 13 years in it. The legendary safety retired from football back in March, officially bringing an end to his illustrious career in New England.

McCourty finished his NFL run with three Super Bowl titles, three All-Pro nods, two Pro Bowls and recognition as an All-Dynasty Team member for the Patriots. It’s also only a matter of time before he’s permanently enshrined in the New England Patriots’ Hall of Fame.

Let’s take a look at McCourty and all of the players that came before him that wore the No. 32 (via Pro Football Reference).