Patriots Captain Arrested For Cocaine Possession And Assault Hours Before Sunday’s Loss To Dolphins
New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers was arrested early Saturday morning in Braintree, Massachusettes on charges of assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation, and possession of a Class “B” substance (cocaine).
Peppers, a 29-year-old, defensive captain for New England, did not play in the Patriots’ 15-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday after his arrest.
In an official statement regarding Peppers’ arrest, the Patriots said they were “aware of an incident involving Jabrill Peppers over the weekend in which the police are currently investigating.” The organization provided no further comment.
According to authorities, police were called to the scene at a residential address in the early hours of Saturday, October 5, responding to reports of an altercation between Peppers and the alleged victim.
“He called me that morning. I knew what was going on,” Jerod Mayo, who is in his first season as head coach of the New England Patriots, told WEEI radio on Monday morning. “We’ve informed the NFL what was going on and we’re still gathering information…. I don’t think anyone knows the facts or anything like that. It’s a process.”
The Cleveland Browns drafted Peppers out of the University of Michigan with the 25th overall pick in the 2017 draft. After two years in Cleveland, Peppers spent three in New York with the Giants before landing in New England in 2022, where he’s been since.
So far this season, Peppers has 11 solo tackles, 1 interception, and 2 passes defensed. Across his eight years in the NFL with the Browns, Giants, and Patriots, Peppers has 493 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 7 interceptions.
The New England Patriots’ 2024 season continues to be difficult to watch. There was a glimmer of hope on the horizon as the Pats faced off against a faltering Miami Dolphins this past weekend, but that quickly faded. It’s looking more and more like a playoff run will be impossible this year. WHY ARE THE PATRIOTS SO BAD THIS YEAR? Here’s a breakdown of the major problems the Patriots must address if they want a shot at improving this season. WEAK OFFENSIVE LINE The Patriots’ offensive line is currently viewed as one of the weakest in the NFL, despite the organization investing in multiple high draft picks. The O-line continues to be the Patriots’ biggest problem. Just a week after Jacoby Brissett was sacked five times and hit 10 times, he faced even more pressure in a 30-13 loss to San Francisco, where he was brought down six times and hit another 10. This lack of attention to vital positions raises concerns about the team’s ability to compete effectively. LACK OF COACHING EXPERIENCE AND STAR TALENT
Jerod Mayo is in his first year as head coach of the New England Patriots and is expected to encounter some growing pains. Some fans are directing blame at Robert Kraft for the team’s limited spending during free agency, which has left the Patriots with minimal top-tier talent on the roster. Additionally, there are concerns about Alex Van Pelt’s play calling abilities. As the season progresses, it will be crucial for the team to address these challenges.
