How Joe Milton III Reacted To Jerod Mayo’s Praise With Patriots Spark

FOXBORO, Mass. -- The Patriots definitely had a different spark when quarterback Joe Milton III took over in Thursday's 17-3 preseason victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Don't read into that as much as some national media members have and will. Nonetheless, Milton entered the game in the third quarter and injected energy at Gillette Stadium.

His ability to boost the New England offense drew praise from his head coach in a solid NFL debut for the Tennessee product. Despite that verbal pat on the back, the rookie quarterback knows he's got a ways to go in his development.

"Hearing that from a head coach, thanks to (Jerod Mayo), but I feel like I got a lot more work to do," Milton said. "There's a lot of things in the offense that I need to learn and I need to learn them fast. Just being hard on myself. That's the only way I got this far is being hard on myself."

That praise came after two plays in a game that otherwise lacked offensive sizzle. Milton utilized his legs, changing direction and breaking free in the backfield to scramble for a 12-yard gain for a Patriots first down.

"Man, I haven't ran like that in so long," Milton recalled. "I feel like the NFL and college is very different. ... Just being able to make a play. Thanks to the guys out there blocking their tail off. Thanks to the o-line. Thanks to guys staying open. At the same time, running around trying to make a play. Trying to find somebody open. Lucky those guys stayed downfield and made blocks down the field."

In the fourth quarter, the Patriots quarterback followed up the run with a quality throw to hit JaQuae Jackson on a double move for a 38-yard touchdown to extend New England's lead. It was the lone passing touchdown of the night.

"Keep my eyes down the middle and just trust in my guy to do his job to my left and right," Milton explained. "Just trusted it. Eyes down the middle of the field. Once I looked at the stick, I kind of seen through the stick route towards the out and up. Just making sure that receiver can get it and run with it."

Milton clearly keeps perspective in his opportunity, having fun and making people smile around him. He emphasized his priorities as part of a "pretty calm" day entering his pro (preseason) debut.

"The calm before the storm, that's how I look at it," Milton said. "Just went home, walked my dog like I always do regularly. Just sit down on my bed and look over the call sheet. Try not to scramble my brain too much of studying too much. Once I got it, I got it."

Milton's trust in the coaching staff and teammates keeps him in the right mindset to play into his personality and maintain his development during his introduction to the Patriots.