Sunday Patriots Notes: Marcus Jones a ‘model of consistency’ in career year

Owners of the best record in the NFL, the New England Patriots will conclude Week 13 with a matchup against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. For head coach Mike Vrabel’s team, this will be another opportunity to show the country that it is indeed a legitimate contender for the top playoff seed in the AFC, and to build some momentum heading into the upcoming bye.

The game on Monday also gave players a chance to take a day off on Thanksgiving while still getting three days of practice. With all that said, here’s a holiday edition of ours sunday patriot notes,

Marcus Jones ‘model of continuity’ in career year

The Patriots’ 2022 draft class has been a major disappointment: After three years, only one of the 10 players remains with the organization. However, the player has been one of the best performers so far this season.

Marcus Jones entered the final year of his rookie contract and faced questions about his fit in New England’s new-look defense, but he has since left no doubts about his future with the club. He competed all-around for the slot cornerback role during the offseason and training camp, and was voted team captain before the start of the regular season.

Since then, he has taken his game to new heights and signed a three-year, $36 million contract extension. Jones is playing the best football of his career, and accordingly he has a legitimate case to be recognized as a Pro Bowler or All-Pro nickel defender.

For a coach of his position, his success is neither a surprise nor an accident.

“He’s been consistent. He’s a model of consistency,” cornerbacks coach Justin Hamilton told reporters at Gillette Stadium this week.

“The way he takes care of his body, the way he takes care of his routine, the way he takes care of his schedule, the way he takes care of his life off the field. Everything he does he does with a purpose. Everything he does he does with a plan, and he gives it his all in everything he does. I have a lot of respect for that.”

Appearing in all 12 games this season, Jones ranks fifth on the team with 569 defensive snaps (78.9%). He has made the most of them, recording a team- and career-high three interceptions – including one returned for a touchdown in Week 12 against Tennessee. He also achieved his first career sack, while still remaining one of the best punt returners in football.

Apart from his on-field achievements, he also proudly writes “C” on his jersey. The first-time captain has emerged as a man his teammates are gravitating towards, a true tone-setter on defense and in the kicking game.

“That’s how a guy who’s 5 foot 8 inches, 5 foot 9 inches and weighs less than 200 pounds can be an impact player in the NFL — through that work ethic, through that attention to detail and deliberate habits that he has,” Hamilton said. “It’s amazing to see him and his teammates enjoy it, and hopefully that continues.”

There are many candidates for contract extension

Marcus Jones is the most recent Patriot to sign a contract extension with the club, but there are several candidates eligible to receive new deals. On top of that are four of a total of seven players set to leave for unrestricted free agency next spring: tight end Austin Hooper, defensive tackle Khiris Tonga, outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson and safety Jaylin Hawkins.

All four have played major roles for the Patriots this season. Hooper is the team’s No. 2 tight end and a valuable blocker; Tonga has been in the top three in the interior defensive line; Chaisson is tied for the team lead with 6.5 sacks; Hawkins is a 100% player on defense and is in the midst of his career season.

It wouldn’t be a surprise for the Patriots to show interest in retaining all of them.

Coping with success is a major development

In the first season, tackling was a major issue for the Patriots. In the first two matches, the team missed a total of 25 attempts, ranking lowest in the league in tackling efficiency.

Fast forward to Week 13, and the Patriots are on the other end of the spectrum. In his 12 games so far, he has missed 76 tackle attempts, an average of 6.3 per game. Only the Detroit Lions (5.9) and Chicago Bears (6.1) are better than that – a remarkable turnaround that has contributed to New England’s recent success.

Mike Vrabel gives insight on new signing

The Patriots had to shuffle their roster after last week’s game against the Bengals. One of these moves was to bring back offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr., who previously had a brief stint on the team’s active roster. Munford Jr. was added to the 53-man roster this time to provide depth with left tackle Will Campbell on injured reserve.

“He was here. At this time of the season, there are only so many options,” Mike Vrabel said about the Munford Jr. signing. “It’s him. He was here. He was a guy that learned our system and is working. I felt like it gives us some options here with the guys that we have, and then bring him in as well.”

Eliza Ponder is taking ownership of the ED3 role

Elijah Ponder has already had a successful season. After joining the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of Cal Poly, Ponder managed to make the initial 53-man roster and hasn’t looked back since: Originally a depth option on the edge, he has steadily developed and is now ranked No. 3 behind starters Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson – quite a development considering his background.

According to his position coach, Mike Smith, it all comes back to Ponder’s intelligence and veteran-like ability to utilize his skills.

“He’s smart for his age. He’s way above a rookie,” Smith said. “He still has that newbie thing that you’ll see; you’re like, ‘What the hell were you thinking, something like that?’ But he just walks like a vet. He is very smooth. He is strong. He’s starting to understand leverage and stuff. Sometimes I just look at him with B-Mac – Ben McAdoo – and we both stop sometimes and look at each other, ‘Wow, that was pretty impressive he could bend like that at that size.’ He’s another guy who can play multiple positions.

“As I said from the beginning, that kid has a bright future. … He’s getting better every week. There’s still some things he has to work on and always work on, but he’s just a kid. We’re lucky to have him. He was a great find. He’s a great guy.”

Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams has been away from the team while undergoing treatment for recently diagnosed prostate cancer. This week, Mike Vrabel gave a brief update on the 51-year-old.

“I would say he continues to improve health-wise,” Vrabel said. “It’s a process of treatment, but I will say they did everything they could to prepare themselves for the treatment, for the chemo, and so, I think they’ve had a good response. It’s good to see them continue to have good weeks, and then when they feel they’re ready to, come and see us.”

Josh McDaniels is very excited about Hunter Henry

After his most productive game of the season, Hunter Henry received some praise from his offensive coordinator. Josh McDaniels spoke highly of the tight ends, who he already coached in 2021 and are again making a key part of his offense in his latest go-round in 2025.

McDaniels said of the team captain, “He’s an incredible teammate. He’s one of the most respected workers on our team without question.” “He’s ready to go, takes great care of his body, being able to go out there and repeat things at full speed after being in the league so many years. I think he’s constantly getting better at things, which is an incredible example for our young players. He’s dependable. He studies. He’s well-prepared.

“Anything you ask him to do, whether it’s success statistically for him or for someone else, it doesn’t matter. He’s going to do it to the best of his ability to help the team win. And I think his only goal is to help us win at the end of the day. He’s one of the most unselfish guys I’ve ever met. Great leader, great teammate. He’s incredibly fortunate to have a chance to coach him.”

Through 12 games this season, Henry is the most utilized among the Patriots’ skill position players, being on the field for 638 offensive snaps (82%). He is first on the team in receiving touchdowns (5) and second in both catches (41) and receiving yards (537).

Giants in the same boat as the 2024-25 Patriots

If his 2023 game had been different, Drake Mays could have landed with the New York Giants instead of the New England Patriots. However, they did not, meaning the Patriots’ Week 13 opponent appears to be a year behind in their current development.

Ultimately, the Giants find themselves in the same boat as New England last year. They seem to have found a quarterback worth drafting – first-round rookie Jackson Dart has played admirably in his seven games so far – but they face a big decision on their coaching staff: Brian Daboll has already been fired, with offensive coordinator Mike Kafka taking over as interim.

Hoping to finish the season strong, Kafka made further changes, including firing defensive coordinator Shane Bowen. If the giants do so, could Kafka find a true breakthrough in the work, especially given his close relationship with Dart? That’s a question the Patriots faced at the end of their 2024 campaign.

Ultimately, he decided to cut ties with not only head coach Jerrod Mayo but also most of his offensive staff. The results have been positive for New England: with Mike Vrabel taking over as HC and Josh McDaniels returning as offensive coordinator, the team has taken a big step forward, while its quarterback has played at a Pro Bowl-caliber level.

Community impact in the spotlight

For patriots, Thanksgiving was not just a time for family but also a time for helping those in need. It also included the 32nd annual celebration of the Patriots Foundation thanksgiving-in-a-basket Community Drive. Several players, including quarterback Drake Mays, tight end Hunter Henry and cornerback Christian Gonzalez, attended the event held in Roxbury last week. Over 200 Thanksgiving-themed baskets were handed out.

“It’s really impressive,” said team owner Robert Kraft, who was there. “It’s very exciting to give back to the community. We appreciate the opportunity to use our platform for something special and something positive.”

With Monday Night Football and then a bye week, the Patriots’ schedule will look different than usual for the next few days. Let’s break it down.

The Patriots will then return to work on Monday, Dec. 8 to prepare for their stretch run – which begins with the Week 15 game against the visiting Buffalo Bills.