Jonathan Jones discusses tension in Patriots’ locker room during 2023 season

Jonathan Jones opened up about tension in the Patriots’ locker room during the 2023 season

Several New England Patriots players haven’t shied away from the issues that led to the 4-13 finish in 2023. Cornerback Jonathan Jones even went as far as revealing there was tension in the locker room.

Jones was a part of a strong defensive unit that held up their end of the deal. They allowed 21 points or less in six losses. The offense struggled, as the quarterback carousel, among other things, was something that hampered New England throughout the course of the year.

Tension began to build, and Jones noticed it.

“I think the division was something you could see was starting to happen,” Jones said, when speaking with The Boston Globe’s Nicole Yang. “Something you never want to happen is offense versus defense, where the defense is like, ‘Well, we’re doing our job,’ because, one, that still doesn’t win us games and two, that doesn’t help the locker room.”

Jones had a solid season for his part, recording 48 tackles on the year. The Patriots’ secondary managed to stay strong, despite injuries to Christian Gonzalez and Marcus Jones.

The offensive production is something the Patriots want to work on for 2024. That unit holding up its end could drastically change the outlook for the better in the upcoming season.

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Patriots CB Jonathan Jones agrees with this Bill Belichick sentiment

Are Bill Belichick’s coaching methods dated? Jonathan Jones weighs in.

New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones is agreeing with the narrative that former Patriots coach Bill Belichick may have been difficult to relate to.

At 71 years of age, Belichick has a bit of a different style when working with today’s NFL players. He takes a more rigid approach to things, and that may be more difficult for players to relate to. It’s hard to argue with Belichick’s overall success in New England, with six Super Bowl titles to his name. Nevertheless, times are indeed changing.

Jones certainly didn’t shy away from the sentiment during a recent radio appearance, as transcribed by NESN.com’s Gio Rivera.

“I think they want to be related to,” Jones told 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak & Bertrand”. “I think when I came in it was, ‘Show up, do your job.’ And that worked. That worked for a while. That worked for a very, very long time, but this generation, I don’t think that works for them. So I think (Jerod) Mayo is in a space where he can connect with guys — this younger generation — but at the same time, he’s a leader. When he’s in a room, guys listen to him.”

The relatability factor may have been a reason why Belichick did not find a head coaching job this cycle, even if it’s hard to deny the results he put forth during his time with New England.

How Mayo’s different coaching style shines through and his relationship with players will be something to watch.

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Prince Tega Wanogho headed back to Super Bowl with Chiefs

This former Auburn lineman is headed back to the Super Bowl

Former Auburn offensive tackle [autotag]Prince Tega Wanogho[/autotag] is headed back to the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 26-year-old appeared in just 3 games this season for Kansas City before going on IR after appearing in 17 during the Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning season last year.

There is some hope that Wanogho can return to the field on February 11, as the former sixth-round pick was able to partake in all three practice sessions before ultimately being ruled out last Friday.

With two weeks off between now and the big game, the former Auburn standout will have every chance to prove his health ahead of the second Super Bowl of his young career.

If Wanogho can play, he may see an uptick from the seven snaps he received last year with the Chiefs offensive line in rough condition injury-wise.

Star guard Joe Thuney injured himself in the divisional round against the Bills and is considered a “long shot” to return this season, while most of the other starters across the line are dealing with minor ailments.

Active or not, Wanogho can join former Tigers [autotag]Jonathan Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Brandon King[/autotag] as active alumni with multiple Super Bowl victories with a win.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on  X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Brian on Twitter @TheRealBHauch

Bills vs. Patriots: Key matchups to watch in Week 17

#Bills vs. #Patriots: Key matchups to watch in Week 17:

The Buffalo Bills will host the New England Patriots in their upcoming Week 17 matchup at Highmark Stadium.

The two teams have been rigorously preparing for the contest throughout the past week. Buffalo (9-6) and New England (4-11) will think they know their upcoming opponent, inside and out, after all the practicing and studying they have put in.

Because of that, despite all the off-field talking, speculation and discussion, it will still be the games, within the game, that will make all the difference when it comes to the final outcome of this upcoming weekend.

With that, here are three key matchups to watch during Sunday’s Bills-Patriots matchup:

Patriots’ top 10 defensive players in Week 16, per PFF grades

Here are the 10 highest-graded Patriots defensive players in the win over the Broncos, per PFF.

Despite having key players out of the lineup, the New England Patriots were suffocating defensively against the Denver Broncos.

There was nowhere to run or breathe for Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, who was constantly hit and harassed by the Patriots’ powerful and underrated defensive front.

Defensive tackle Christian Barmore led the charge with three sacks and four quarterback hits. He dominated up front and made it incredibly difficult for Wilson to settle in the pocket. It’s no surprise that the four highest-graded defensive players by Pro Football Focus were on New England’s defensive front.

The unit has overperformed all season, even in the absence of leading pass-rusher Matthew Judon. Defense remains the calling card for the Patriots, and in many ways, that continued to prove to be the case on Sunday night against the Broncos.

Here are the 10 highest-graded defensive players for the Patriots in Week 16, per PFF.

Broncos worked out 8 players (including 7 from the CFL) last week

The Broncos worked out eight players last week, including seven from the CFL.

The Denver Broncos worked out eight players last Friday, including seven players from the Canadian Football League.

The Broncos worked out cornerback Anthony Brown, wide receivers Samuel Emilus and Kian Schaffer-Baker, defensive back Evan Holm, defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson and linebackers Jonathan Jones, Darius Williams and Josh Woods.

Brown (30) has spent time with four NFL teams, most recently on the New York Jets’ practice squad this season.

Emilus (26) has played for the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders since 2022, totaling 1,097 receiving yards last season.

Schaffer-Baker (25) has played for the Roughriders since 2021, hauling in 98 receptions for 960 yards and five touchdowns in 2023.

Holm (25) has played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers since 2022, recording 64 tackles, two interceptions and two sacks last season.

Johnson (24) has played for the Montreal Alouettes since 2022. He won the Grey Cup (Canada’s Super Bowl) and earned CFL East All-Star recognition in 2023.

Jones (26) has played for the Toronto Argonauts since 2022, winning the Grey Cup in his first season with the team.

Williams (25) has spent time with three CFL teams, most recently with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2022.

Woods (25) has played for the BC Lions since 2021, totaling 45 tackles and two interceptions last season.

These players are likely candidates to sign reserve/future contracts with the Broncos after the 2023 season.

D.J. James expected to opt out of the Music City Bowl

Auburn cornerback is expected to opt out of the Music City Bowl against Maryland later this month to focus on the NFL Draft.

The Auburn Tigers have lost their first player due to opt-out.

Standout cornerback [autotag]D.J James[/autotag] has decided to withdraw from the Music City Bowl against Maryland to focus on the upcoming NFL Draft.

The senior has played his final game as a Tiger but has accepted an invite to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, where he will join teammates [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag] and [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag] for the game in February.

James is coming off a signature season for the Tigers in which he earned an 83.8 PFF coverage grade. That grade was good enough for ninth in all of FBS.

After transferring from Oregon to Auburn in 2022, James tallied 75 total tackles for the Tigers, intercepting 3 passes and officially defending 17 passes.

He was a major reason [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag]’s team is bowl-eligible this season, as himself and safety [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag] led an Auburn secondary that finished 33rd in FBS in opponent passing yards per game (206.9)

Auburn’s top coverage corner is likely a Day 2 Draft pick according to most sources. While he likely won’t be selected as high as former teammate and 2022 Tennessee Titans draft pick [autotag]Roger McCreary[/autotag], James has should join McCreary, [autotag]Jamel Dean[/autotag], [autotag]Carlton Davis[/autotag], and [autotag]Jonathan Jones[/autotag], as former Tiger cornerbacks playing large roles in the NFL.

NFLDraftBuzz.com has James slotted as the No. 17 cornerback on their draft board, while Pro Football Network ranks the senior just inside of their top 60 overall.

While many people may remember James’ time as a Tiger unfairly due to his final play with the team, he was undoubtedly the best cornerback on the roster during his time with the team and arguably their best player.

Auburn will miss him dearly when they take on a pass-heavy Maryland attack led by Taulia Tagovailoa, the brother of former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on  X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Brian on Twitter @TheRealBHauch

 

 

Auburn in the NFL: Week 14 Recap

It was a solid week for Auburn Alumni in Week 14.

We have reached the final quarter of the NFL regular season.

As we do every week, Auburn Wire will take a look at some of the most notable performances from Auburn Alumni across the League.

Auburn Alumni were busy in Week 14, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

[autotag]Carlton Davis[/autotag] collected his second interception of the season, helping the Buccaneers take first place in the NFC South. [autotag]Derrick Brown[/autotag] tallied the second INT of his career, [autotag]Darius Slayton[/autotag]’s Giants won their third game in a row, and [autotag]Jonathan Jones[/autotag]’s Patriots got the best of [autotag]Montravius Adams[/autotag]’s Steelers on Thursday Night.

Here is a look at several headlines from Week 14 that feature Auburn’s top NFL players.

Patriots CB nominated for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award

Longtime Patriots CB Jonathan Jones gets recognized as a Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.

The NFL revealed all 32 nominees for the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award on Tuesday, and veteran cornerback Jonathan Jones made the list for the New England Patriots.

It’s an award that recognizes a player’s contributions on and off the field to the greater wide community.

Jones, who was recently honored with the Ron Burton Community Service Award, is known for his philanthropic efforts in the community, including working diligently in establishing the Jonathan Jones Next Step Foundation, which encourages and empowers the youth.

“You don’t do these things for recognition when you go out into the community to help people,” Jones said back in August, via Patriots.com’s Alexandra Francisco. “But when people do recognize the things you do, for me, it’s just another opportunity to bring awareness and get more people to come in and help.”

The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award gets $250,000 donated to their charity of choice, while all 32 nominees receive up to $55,000 donated to their charities from the NFL Foundation and Nationwide.

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