Projo Pats Blog

On what he expects in this game
It’s a different game. It’s a different team and it’s a different game, so what we’re going to do is work today and position ourselves to go to game day and hopefully execute. That’s really the key factor.

On playing against Wes Welker when he was in Miami
Pound for pound, Wes is probably the toughest football player in the league. The guy is a hard worker, number one. He has all the intangibles of being a great player, which he is, and he has a passion for the game and he needs -- There are different types of players in the league: guys that want to be great and there are guys that need to be great. He’s one of the need guys, so I tip my hat off to him.

On the New York and Boston Rivalry
I can’t read, so I’m out of that. I look at pictures and that’s about it.

On the photos newspapers have been running
I can’t make them all out. I can’t make them all out.

On his concern about the status of Tom Brady
Tom’s been great. He’s been doing it for so many years. It makes for a great story. You guys can jump on that and blow it up and do whatever you need to do, but as far as getting between the lines and going out there and competing, there’s no better competitor out there than Tommy. He’s proven it.

On the biggest difference between the last time he was in the Super Bowl
It is what it is. It’s a great game, and as time goes on and you find yourself 18-0 and the record plays a part in all the hype and what have you. We have to just minus all that and carry on with our day.

On if that is what makes this team special
It’s only special if we can finish it. The 18-0 record is nothing without finishing.

On his mentality coming back two years ago as opposed to this year
You’re more into the game plan and obviously you know your surroundings, you’re more comfortable and more familiar with everything else. The guys know your personality and you’re able to adjust quicker, but other than that, it’s just the game of football.

On if he will play for a few more years
I’m going to live one day at a time, just one day at a time. That’s all I can do.

On the perfect way to end his career
The end isn’t here. We’re about eight days away, so until we get that done--then we can answer some more questions.

On Kelley Washington’s acceptance of his role this year
In order to be a part of this locker room you have to be unselfish and he is definitely one of the prime examples of a player coming in with high hopes of going out there and being the great receiver that he is, and finding out that he has to play a different role. He is definitely a prime example of a guy that really wants to win and he’s been able to do that, and he’s been playing great for us on special teams.

On what that does for players
We respect everyone that puts on a jersey; that never changes. When someone goes out there and does what he does, outside the box in a different realm on special teams rather than the position that he plays, it definitely is a special feeling that we have for him. We respect him.

On getting excited for this game
Yeah, I won’t get excited until we get there, and probably in the latter part of the week. Right now it’s game plan, so all of this is work: trying to get everything down, all of our checks down, being familiar with what they do great and what they do best, and getting into situational football. But for the most part, it’s just basically one day at a time. Again, it’s a workplace.

On his 1994 trip to the Super Bow
There were a lot of fireworks, I know that. But the game was over before, obviously, eight minutes into the first quarter, so it’s not something I really tap into.

On using that experience in this Super Bowl
We’re doing it now. It’s one day -- Every day is a different challenge.

On what 16-0 meant to the team
I can’t remember. I can’t remember. I don’t want to go back [on] the kind of emotional roller coaster as to what it meant. We’re 18-0 now and we’re going to go from here.

On Adalius Thomas
You have to be a smart in order to be part of this crew. Obviously, he’s a special talent and what he’s been able to do here in Boston in the short time that he’s been here has been great…just by him taking over Rosie [Rosevelt] Colvin’s outside position and really solidifying that outside position in terms of turning everything in so we can do damage inside: containing and pass rushing and doing the things that he does. There are so many facets of his game you can look at and marvel.

On if they talk about winning a championship
There are some things you don’t even have to talk bout. There are some things you just don’t have to talk about. It’s understood. And that’s the type of relationship we all have.

On coming to New England and seeing the lack of selfishness
Belichick doesn’t allow it, number one. And whenever you have a leader such as Belichick, you have enough veterans around that have been around his teaching, they breed it. And when they start breeding it in the locker room, it’ contagious. It’s not a big surprise.

On whether it only takes a couple of guys to buy into it
In any business in order to insert your personality, your identity, you want to make sure you have a nucleus of guys that carry it through. It all works well then.

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