Josh McDaniels Impressed With Mac Jones’ Competitiveness, Leadership
Mac Jones, despite the loss on Sunday, is coming off an impressive performance in his NFL debut. The former Alabama quarterback went 29-of-39 for 281 yards and one touchdown with zero interceptions. His 281 passing yards were the most by a Patriots starting quarterback in his first career start. Jones also became the only quarterback in NFL history to complete at least 70 % of his passes on at least 30 attempts in a debut game. He certainly looked comfortable and decisive in the pocket, completing at least three passes to five different players.
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels spoke to reporters this week about his rookie quarterback's competitiveness and leadership after week one.
"I think he's a very competitive guy. He wants to win at everything that he's doing, "said McDaniels. "He wants to perform his best every single day on every single rep. I think that's a great trait and great quality to have, not only as a football player but as a human being. We're fortunate that he feels that way."
"I think relative to pushing himself and demanding that most from himself, I think that's obviously the No. 1 way to lead - you show everybody else that you're going to hold yourself to a very high standard, and then you're going to try to bring others along if you see the opportunity to do so," McDaniels said.
The Dolphins tried to rattle Jones in the pocket by blitzing the rookie on his 60 % of his drop-backs. Jones responded by going 19-of-23 for 153 yards and a touchdown when blitzed. He was able to get he football out out his hand in 2.39 seconds, according to Pro Football Focus, the third quickest time after Sunday's games.
"I thought he did a really nice job," said Dolphins head coach Brian Flores. "I thought he did a really nice job. Got the ball out, was able to kind of move their offense, pick up first downs, drive them down the field...Made the throws he needed to make. Make good decisions. I thought he played well."
Jones threw his first career touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor late in the second quarter, but made it clear that he isn't interested in individual achievements. "It doesn't really matter; it's just one touchdown," Jones said after the game. "We have to score more. It's not like the game was over right there. We gotta do better in the red zone and get more touchdowns. And we will."
"He's not absorbed in selfish things or self-promotion. It's about the team," said McDaniels.
The Patriots will travel to MetLife Stadium this week to square off with the New York Jets.