Jerod Mayo Hurt Patriots in Week 5 by Causing Unnecessary Distraction

The New England Patriots suffered a disappointing loss against their AFC East rivals the Miami Dolphins in Week 5 for their fourth straight defeat. Losing at home in a game in which they were favored left Patriots fans frustrated.

Patriots fans were under no illusion that this season was going to be a major on-field success. It was going to be a developmental season in which we got to evaluate the core and the coaching staff.

Jerod Mayo's decision-making through the first five weeks of the season raises some questions about whether he is the right head coach to lead this team through the rebuilding process.

One of those questionable decisions came in Week 5. During the week, it was revealed that talented running back Rhamondre Stevenson would be benched in favor of Antonio Gibson. Stevenson had a fumble in each of the first four games and it made sense to make a change there.

However, the coaching staff failed to stand behind that decision on Sunday.

Gibson was the starter against Miami in name only. Stevenson scored a 33-yard touchdown in the first quarter and continued to have the lion's share in touches in the backfield. He had 12 carries for 89 yards and added four catches in the passing game.

On the other hand, Gibson had six carries for 52 yards and had one catch for four yards. Gibson is usually a bigger part of the passing game, so the reduction in his workload in a week where he ostensibly got a promotion was rather surprising.

Regardless of what Mayo was trying to accomplish with his change in the starting lineup didn't bear fruit. The Patriots offense was still flat and ineffective. Stevenson may have had a better individual game this week but that is not going to be enough to get the blame away from Mayo who doesn't seem to be pressing the right buttons to get his team out of the mud.

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