Jerod Mayo Makes Pitch For Optimism During Rebuild

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HARROW ON THE HILL, England — An early-setting sun cast a shadow on Robert Kraft as he strolled the practice field at the Harrow School here in Northwest London, this posh boarding school in a picturesque English town serving as the backdrop for the New England Patriots' final session of the week.

"I would say that we're hitting the reset button and looking forward to building something special — building the next dynasty," Jerod Mayo said when asked for his message to fans across Europe. "It starts with, obviously, through the draft and developing, but also through free agency. We look to get back on top here pretty soon."

It was a message for the European fans, but it might as well have been one for the diehards back in New England yearning for this team to turn things around.

Still, it's a reminder, as if there needed to be one, of how things have changed since the Patriots were last here in 2012. And surely, a matchup on Sundays between 1-5 teams isn't too enticing since the Jacksonville Jaguars have their own issues.

But Kraft's spot at practice offers another reminder of how important these international games are to owners.

Two weeks ago, the New York Jets fired Robert Saleh after his team lost in London. A year ago, Kraft joined his team in Frankfurt, Germany, and made the importance of that game against the Indianapolis Colts clear.

"I think we're on the come up, and we've got a lot of things to look forward to, a lot of bright futures ahead," Maye said.

Of course, much of the hope this dismal Patriots season turns around is on Maye's shoulders. He replaced Jacoby Brissett as starter last week and proceeded to move the ball against a reputable Texans defense unlike any other quarterback had, notching a debut arguably better than any other rookie drafted in April.