Patriots
“We are just getting started.”
Jerod Mayo gets the Gatorade dunk from Patriots players after Week 1 win. AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
Jerod Mayo started his career as head coach with a win as the Patriots pulled off a surprise road victory against the Bengals.
The 16-10 victory in Week 1 was orchestrated in a way that exemplified what Mayo, a former linebacker, stood for during his playing career. New England’s defense held the favored Cincinnati offense scoreless until the third quarter, and the offense managed 170 yards on the ground.
In the post-game locker room scene, an excited Robert Kraft came by to give the 38-year-old Mayo a special gift: the game ball.
“Every one of you contributed,” Kraft said in the locker room. “I’m so proud of the new players, the new coaches. People all had excuses that it couldn’t happen, but you all did it.”
“I’m spoiled now,” Kraft added. “I’ll expect a lot more.”
“We’re just getting started,” Mayo replied.
The Patriots players also had their big moment to celebrate when they stood on the sidelines with the new coach and gave Mayo the classic Gatorade dunk:
Mayo is technically already off to a better start than his predecessor Bill Belichick, who took a month to earn his first win for the Patriots during the 2000 season (the year began 0-4). Belichick also lost his first game during his first tenure as head coach with the Browns in 1991.
Of course, Mayo still has a long way to go to match Belichick’s ultimate success in New England. The Patriots’ next hurdle is their home game against the Seahawks in Week 2 on September 15.
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