FOXBORO, Mass. -- Jerod Mayo is no stranger to taking the field at Gillette Stadium to represent the New England Patriots.
He did so for eight seasons as a player and over the last five years as an assistant on Bill Belichick's staff.
Thursday marked the first time he held the ropes since embarking on his journey as New England's next head coach. That comes with plenty of responsibility and oversight to lead at the top of command for an NFL team.
For Mayo in the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers, the 38-year-old felt more excitement than nervous and even more so a level of comfortability on the sidelines.