FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots defense has come under fire in recent days for "playing soft" against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, and it's inability to stop the run.
Defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington, who spoke with the media Thursday, was asked about handling tough times with his group and his approach to getting them back on track.
Covington, who was the defensive line coach under Bill Belichick, was promoted to serve as the defensive coordinator on Jerod Mayo's staff.
"They hired the right guy for that," Covington said with respect to being the defense's navigator through adversity. "Nothing in my life has been easy. Nothing. My parents did a great job raising me. Adversity. Growing up. Getting here. Working the way I need to work. All I know is the hard way. All I know is no shortcuts. So I've always taken the stairs, never had the elevator. Never was on third base. Started at home plate. So that's me. And I'm able to impart that to the players."
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Through seven games, Covington's unit has allowed 25 points per game, which ranks 23rd in the NFL. The Patriots defense is 25th in the league in total yards per game (359.57), 24th in passing yards per game (223.43), 21st in rushing yards per game (136.14), 21st in sacks and 22nd in interceptions.
"When you go through hard times, or you go through different challenges ... there will be tough times," Covington added. "And so I know God put me in this position for a reason. He don't put anything (on my plate) that I can't bear. So it's easy for me ... because I know I can get the players to do what I need them to do. And what they need to do. And not waver with the flow. Whether you're 6-1 or 1-6, you're going to get the same version of me every single time."