New England Patriots Links 1/27/12 - Wilfork: 'These Guys Have Every Passion, Everything You Need in a Football Player'

by Marima on Jan 27, 2012 11:02 AM EST in New England Patriots Links

Aaron Hernandez on being at practice without Rob Gronkowski:

"I'd say it's a little boring, but he'll be back out there soon.

Sterling Moore on what it's like to cope with receivers like Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham and Victor Cruz when they're all healthy:

"It's a challenge. It's a big challenge but that's what we want. Going into this game, we want them all to be healthy; we want them all to be at their best. That's just the type of game we want. It's going to be a struggle but that's what the films are for. We're going to have to do a great job on the film and go out there and play them tough."

Vince Wilfork on the improvement the defense has made, and what it says about the team.

It lets me know these guys listen - through the coaches, through the guys, the veterans who have been around the game for awhile. It's not like we talk to them every day about certain stuff. No, they get it. They knew how important it was for us to get better as a team and what we needed to do to get better as a team. We made those changes, we made those progresses and we moved forward. Like I said, it's a special bunch. At the end of the day, it's going to be a special team. I think everybody in this locker room, they love this game, they love one another, they have the passion. That's one thing to have a football player not have the passion for what they love and what they do but I can honestly tell you that these guys have every passion, everything that you need in a football player, they have and they love it.

Bill Belichick on "one of his favorite topics - injuries".

That would actually be number one. If you had to rank them, I'd move that up there as number one.

How would you describe the progress of Rob Gronkowski?

Good, good.

How optimistic are you that Sebastian Vollmer will be able to go?

We'll see how it goes. He practiced some last week, he wasn't able to play. We'll practice this week and we'll see if he's ready this week. The [crystal] ball is kind of clouding up, I can't see it clearly.

TEAM TALK

Patriots invite fans to Super Bowl send-off event at Gillette Stadium.
Erik Scalavino tells us what happened at Gillette Thursday.
The New England Patriots signed TE Carson Butler to the practice squad Thursday.
Press Conferences: Bill Belichick (28.35 min. video), Devin McCourty (5.34 min. video), Vince Wilfork (17.46 min. video) and Tom Brady (10.14 min. video)
Player Interviews: Kevin Faulk (2.02 min.), James Ihedigbo (1.29 min.), Mark Anderson (2.45 min.), Sterling Moore (2.58 min.), BenJarvus Green-Ellis (3.25 min.), Rob Ninkovich (2.05 min.), Wes Welker (2.19 min.), Aaron Hernandez (2.46 min.) and Matt Light (3.28 min.)
Patriots Locker Room Quotes.
The Hall at Patriot Place to display the 2011 Lamar Hunt AFC Championship Trophy this weekend.
Patriots Today - First practice for AFC Champs. (1.57 min. video)
Patriots Today - Brady talks preparation. (2.28 min. video)
Locker Room Uncut - Thoughts from Hernandez, Welker. (3.58 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

Ian Rapoport notes this team wasn't supposed to be ready to compete in 2010, but instead they've thrived.
Ian Rapoport notes Tom Brady wishes his promise to Robert Kraft remained private, but history shows he'll make good on it.
Phil Perry notes a Super Bowl billboard in Indy showcases Eli Manning and Jerod Mayo, with no mention of Tom Brady. Insecure much?
Karen Guregian reports Sterling Moore will keep fighting and coming back, even if he gets beat a couple of times, and eventually he'll win.
Michael Vega focuses on the importance of special teams play in a football game, something Matthew Slater takes a lot of pride in.
Greg A. Bedard reports Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, whose team beat the Giants twice, has a blueprint to beat the Giants.
Brian MacPherson says the Giants' chance of winning hinges on their pass rush.
Kirk Minihane notes Tom Coughlin returns the love to Bill Belichick.
Michael Whitmer notes both the Patriots and Giants have teams stocked with more than two dozen undrafted players.
Mike Rodak offers some quick-hit thoughts from locker room access on Thursday.
Ron Borges reports the uncle of BenJarvus Green-Ellis, rapper Bryan "Birdman" Williams, bet $5 million on the Patriots to win.
Mike Reiss posts the transcript of his weekly online chat.
Ian Rapoport Patriots Notebook: Players are sticking to the mantra that 2007 was a different team and a different year; Rob Gronkowski didn't practice yesterday and will likely rest until Indy; Belichick is taking a wait-and-see approach to Gronk's and Sebastian Vollmer's injuries; Patriots have six players who have been to multiple Super Bowls, and 11 overall who have been to the big game; Belichick praised former Rutgers coach, Greg Schiano who is now the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Shalise Manza Young Patriots Notebook: Pats D knows they're going to have their hands full with Eli Manning but even Bill Belichick and Tom Brady was heaping on the praise; Pats were back on the practice field yesterday; Brady hopes he can play better than he did against the Ravens and didn't expect the media to have heard him say that to Robert Kraft; Gillette will host a free Super Send-Off Sunday; Matt Light and Rob Gronkowski are each raffling off two Super Bowl tickets for charity.
Amalie Benjamin reports Tom Brady has kept his strong ties to his high school, and stayed true to his roots.
Chad Finn breaks down how the local media outlets plan to cover the Super Bowl.
Ryan Chiavetta reports Drew Bledsoe offers advice to Peyton Manning: 'There's a whole lot of life after football.'

NATIONAL NEWS

John Brenkus (ESPN) Sports Science: Moore's slap-away. Officials made the right call.
Sound FX (NFL Films) Ravens vs. Patriots First half (4.24 min. video) and Second half (4.50 min. video)
Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Vince Wilfork will be a load for Giants.
Dan Graziano and James Walker (ESPN) Double Coverage: Giants or Patriots?
John Parolin (ESPN Stats & Info) What we learned from Week 9.
Jonathan Comey (Cold Hard Football Facts) 10 role players that could make a Super difference.
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) After further review: Moving Grant around helped Giants rattle Brady.
Jimmy Golen (AP) Pats WR Ochocinco, head down and humbled, heads to Super Bowl.
Bill Bender (Sporting News) Better sports city? Boston vs. New York since 2000.
Jonathan Comey (Cold Hard Football Facts) Favored sons: Why aren't the Giants favored?
Glen Farley (Pro Football Weekly) Pats-Giants odds just don't add up.
Brian Billick (NFL.com) Dilfer aside, elite QBs essential to winning titles.
Jeff Diamond (SI) Staying focused amid madness of Super Bowl buildup is job No. 1.
Brian Reed (Yahoo! Sports) Best Super Bowl player bargains.
James Walker (ESPN) Tom Brady is third most powerful athlete.
Marc Sessler (NFL.com) Patriots' Welker reportedly engaged to model girlfriend.
Dan Hanzus (NFL.com) Ochocinco pleased to learn new pal Boehner is powerful man.
Jason Cole (Yahoo! Sports) Pats boast holy trinity: QB, owner and coach.
Dave Dameshek (NFL.com) The Shame Report: Championship Sunday. (4.25 min. video)
Experts (CBS Sports) Super Bowl picks: Five for five pick the NY Giants to win.

VIEW FROM NEW YORK

Gary Myers (NY Daily News) Just call New England Patriots QB Tom Brady, who can be one nervous cat, Tom 'Fraidy'.
Paul Schwartz (NY Post) Giants receivers see 'plays out there to be made' against Patriots.
Filip Bondy (NY Daily News) The genius of Bill Belichick could be running empty if Patriots lose to Giants in Super Bowl XLVI.
Mark Hale (NY Post) Giants DB Grant seeks revenge vs. high school rival.
Dan Salomone (Giants.com) WRs gearing for Patriots.
Dan Salomone (Giants.com) G Kevin Boothe prepares for Pats' scheme.
Jenny Vrentas (Star-Ledger) Patriots' Vince Wilfork will give Giants' offensive line a challenge in Super Bowl.
Jeff Bradley (Star-Ledger) QB Tom Brady was almost a pro baseball star instead.

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Comments

Execellent work Marima.

Reading what Ocho has to say makes me think he is just a defeated man. Maybe his antics, craziness was what fired him up to excel on game day. Any way, I hope he is active for the superbowl. I honestly felt he could have helped out in Sunday’s win over the Ravens, even though we ran mostly no-huddle. As much I love Deion Branch, he always seems to disappear when we need him the most.

Here’s to hoping Ocho’s lack of production this year is a big evil scheme of Hoodie’s to unleash the beast in the Super Bowl

by BAMF. on Jan 27, 2012 11:12 AM EST reply actions

Keep in mind that Deion has been dealing with a knee injury

but you’re right that he isn’t the same elusive receiver of years ago. I’m hoping Ocho is involved in the Super Bowl. He’s worked hard and has been uncomplaining. We’ll see.

Thanks for the kind words. The only thing distasteful about these posts is having to slog through the NY newspapers. Ugh. Their receivers can’t be stopped, their defense will make Brady rattled and afraid (although this article here quotes players who directly counter those claims) , etc… So unnecessary.

"Some guys don’t get rattled," [Justin] Tuck said. "Even in that Super Bowl at the end of the game, he’s getting lit up and he’s still throwing passes for 70 yards down field. He still led their team down the drive before that to what seemed like a game-winning touchdown at that point.
.
"I dare say we hit him almost 30 times in that game, so if that didn’t rattle him, I’m not sure if we can rattle him. But more than anything, it’s about just not giving him the time to complete passes like that."

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Jan 27, 2012 11:27 AM EST up reply actions

I always have found it silly when 'analysts' claim that 'the book' on defending the Patriots is to get pressure on Brady

as if that wasn’t ‘the book’ on stopping ALL passing games!

NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.

by mmmmm on Jan 27, 2012 11:33 AM EST up reply actions

and ironically

Brady is one of the best passers on blitzing downs.

"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick

by Mainiac on Jan 27, 2012 12:45 PM EST up reply actions

Money down.

by Patriots12 on Jan 28, 2012 9:52 PM EST up reply actions

If it makes you feel any better

these are the same writers that wrote how we have no receiving core when we let Steve Smith and Kevin Boss go, how the defense is a sieve and Fewell needs to go when we were at the bottom of all stat categories during the regular season, and how Coughlin’s words are falling on deaf ears and he’s past his time and needs to go when we were 7-7.

So, consider the source and take it with a grain of salt.

Yes, I am a Giants fan. Now that we got that out of the way....
IMPEACH DOLAN!!!!
I bELIeve in ELI!!!! - Primetime -
The Big Boy Cometh....Team Jacobs
Marines say Oorah; BBVer's say SUAMBP! say it with me - Suuaahmbp!!!!

by wilddre22 on Jan 28, 2012 11:49 PM EST up reply actions

Belichick...

may be an evil genius, but I have a hard time believing he saved Ocho just for the Super Bowl. I think it’s much more likely that the situation is exactly as it appears: Ocho has not been able to adjust to New England’s offense and hasn’t established any real chemistry with Tom Brady. He has also lost a step compared to his prime. I don’t buy into the idea that keeping his antics in check has held him back on the field either.

That said, he could still end up making a useful contribution in the Super Bowl, just as he occasionally has throughout the season. I wouldn’t be shocked if he made a play or two.

"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver

by rebop on Jan 27, 2012 11:46 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Some blame should go to O'Brien

All you heard about 85 his career was he runs precise routes. OK, so he can’t pick up the complex offense. What has BoB learned from Belichick? Nothing. Belichick changes his schemes to fit his personnel. Why can’t they give Chad a route tree that has 5 routes. Brady tells him which one to run before the snap every play. No guessing, just let him run his crisp routes and if he’s open, he’s open. Let the other receivers read Brady’s mind. They could have been way more successful that way. In fact, the best thing to do would be make all Chad’s routes deep except for 1 comeback. A couple deep passes and the safety now has to be on his side allowing the other guys more room underneath or the middle. It just makes no sense to me that you force all these guys to do something that only Branch can comprehend.

by iLikeStuff on Jan 27, 2012 11:58 AM EST up reply actions

Uh...

It seems like only Ocho doesn’t get it, though.

Go Pats. Celtics. Red Sox. Bruins.
Brady. Pierce. Thomas. How you doing?

by Tai on Jan 27, 2012 12:06 PM EST up reply actions

Who do you take off the field so that Chad can play? Everyone else knows where they are supposed to be. Chad does not.

by Patriots12 on Jan 28, 2012 9:54 PM EST up reply actions

It will be interesting to see what next year brings

BB was historically complimentary of 85; they had a good deal of professional respect before he came here. BB doesn’t fluff guys for the hell of it, so he must have been seeing something on film and on the field that made him think that way. Ochocinco is reportedly a smart guy and a guy with football smarts. If he’s not picking it up it could simply be that for the last decade, he’s never had to “read on the run” before, or really understand the complimentary parts of the passing game from more than one position. Ends in our offense don’t just need to know the plays on the outside, as they’ll often be called to line up in the slot, etc.

He may have lost a step, but I don’t think he’s lost so many that he’s not a useful athlete. It will be interesting to see if he blossoms next year or is cut — with 11 years in the league, he isn’t out of the range of “prime” for a wideout who stays in shape.

"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."

"The longer they play, the more they lose. In the end, we get it all."

by JohnHannahRules on Jan 27, 2012 12:52 PM EST up reply actions

Gronk's Dad...

says he has a high ankle sprain.

"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver

by rebop on Jan 27, 2012 11:42 AM EST reply actions

Misleading headline...

The headline on the Welker story should read “Welker Engaged To Miss Hooters International 2005,” calling her a “model” doesn’t really capture the essence of the story.

"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver

by rebop on Jan 27, 2012 11:51 AM EST reply actions

To me it just seems Ocho is done.

Where is his fire? His passion? This is his first Super Bowl and he is “humbled” by it. Dammit dude this is the SUPER BOWL, the biggest sporting event of the year. YOU are lucky enough to be part of this amazing team, now show us you want it, deserve it.

If I were Ocho I would be busting my ass (and would have been a long time ago) to get on the field. It doesn’t matter what I would need do. Sleep over at Tommy’s place if you need to, fall asleep watching film, reading the playbook, talking with Tom.

by BAMF. on Jan 27, 2012 12:04 PM EST reply actions

Yea that was interesting to me

It almost suggests he already knows he’s not playing.

Go Pats. Celtics. Red Sox. Bruins.
Brady. Pierce. Thomas. How you doing?

by Tai on Jan 27, 2012 12:07 PM EST up reply actions

Well its hard to not think your gonna play

If your never in the game. i think next year after a full offseason with brady, he will have a good season.

"Thirty-seven points on the best defense in the league, suck my d–k" - Bill Belichick

'You are banned from Gang Green Nation'
"You can browse the blog, but you can't participate."

"BANNED LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

by BostonBeasts on Jan 27, 2012 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

His father died a week ago

I’d wager that might play a bit on his mind and his motivation.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit

by Comedic.Sans on Jan 27, 2012 7:46 PM EST up reply actions

Totally agree-

I lost my dad in late November 2007- it was 2008 before my head was screwed on completely straight. My heart goes out to him.

"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."

by dannijd on Jan 27, 2012 10:51 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

Now they are comparing Eli to Tom !

There isn’t one statistical category Eli Manning had this season that says he is better than Tom Brady. (Yards, TDs, Interceptions, fumbles, QB Rating)
Sure he has some 4th quarter comebacks, but only because he was awful the first 3 quarters. I cannot wait until he gets put back into his place.

"Thirty-seven points on the best defense in the league, suck my d–k" - Bill Belichick

'You are banned from Gang Green Nation'
"You can browse the blog, but you can't participate."

"BANNED LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

by BostonBeasts on Jan 27, 2012 1:54 PM EST reply actions

thats pretty much every stat

there is no comparison between those 2 and it’ll show sunday

Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"

by freeland1787 on Jan 27, 2012 3:16 PM EST up reply actions

It's not two quarterbacks...

facing off each against each other, it’s two teams. I could care less if Brady walks off the field with a lower passer rating than Eli, so long as he walks off a Super Bowl Champ.

"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver

by rebop on Jan 27, 2012 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

^ This

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
Belichick is looking for a new name for his boat: VI Rings sounds pretty good.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 27, 2012 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

a thousand times, this^

NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.

by mmmmm on Jan 27, 2012 4:24 PM EST up reply actions

Over 9000x this^^^

Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"

by freeland1787 on Jan 27, 2012 7:49 PM EST up reply actions

Totally agree- heck, if it was QB vs. QB, we would be discussing whether we would rather the Ravens or Giants win the Super Bowl and discussing what players this team needed to be competitive next year (not that it would really matter since in reality it is just Brady vs. opponent du jour)

"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."

by dannijd on Jan 27, 2012 10:55 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

Eli was awful the first 3 quarters - false

that’s not even close to true. it was our defense that was usually awful the first 3 quarters. it was Eli basically going shot for shot with the opposing offense every week that kept us in enough games for him to finish them off in the 4th.

by wilddre22 on Jan 28, 2012 11:51 PM EST up reply actions

Well, for what it's worth

Mike Silver picks the Giants, and he is 0-2 picking against the Pats so far in the playoffs.

by furiousd on Jan 27, 2012 6:26 PM EST reply actions

Might as well go for the trifecta

"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver

by rebop on Jan 27, 2012 7:04 PM EST up reply actions

This

Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"

by freeland1787 on Jan 27, 2012 7:49 PM EST up reply actions

Did he really pick the Broncos?

Rex Ryan: "There’s no way that we’re looking to replace Mark Sanchez"
Patriots Nation: "Thank God"
Giants Fans: "FOUR MORE YEARS!! FOUR MORE YEARS!!"

by Chris Kole on Jan 27, 2012 10:10 PM EST up reply actions

Yup, he sure did

Not the previous week though. Oh, no, he picked the Steelers that week.

by furiousd on Jan 27, 2012 10:15 PM EST up reply actions

smh and I thought

Michael Silver was pretty reasonable and objective when it came to the pats.

Rex Ryan: "There’s no way that we’re looking to replace Mark Sanchez"
Patriots Nation: "Thank God"
Giants Fans: "FOUR MORE YEARS!! FOUR MORE YEARS!!"

by Chris Kole on Jan 27, 2012 10:24 PM EST up reply actions

ur thinking of michael smith

Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"

by freeland1787 on Jan 28, 2012 12:32 AM EST up reply actions

Good.

I was waiting for him to pick the giants, since he picked against the pats the last two games and we won.

by vettel on Jan 28, 2012 4:09 AM EST up reply actions

Former Patriots DC Dean Pees has been promoted to DC for Baltimore

However, after this announcement the news about it isn’t relevant

Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"

by freeland1787 on Jan 27, 2012 9:33 PM EST reply actions

So the Ravens want to suck at defense next year?

That’ll help when we play them.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 28, 2012 12:08 AM EST up reply actions

he was DC 2006-2009

patriots defenses were pretty good but not 2003 and 2004 good

Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"

by freeland1787 on Jan 28, 2012 12:33 AM EST up reply actions

They pretty much sucked in 2009, which is one of the reasons he left.

Without the veterans, he couldn’t get it done.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 28, 2012 1:01 AM EST up reply actions

In Pees defense...

Considering the amount of transition (that defense got very young very quick if memory serves, and really lost its leadership at any rate), it is worth questioning whether anyone could have done a great job with the defense that year.

"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."

by dannijd on Jan 28, 2012 3:23 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

I personally wondered how much influence he had on the previous Ds...

I mean, a D with Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Bruschi, Seau, Adalius Thomas, Mayo, Vrabel, Harrison, Sanders, etc more or less runs itself.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit

by Comedic.Sans on Jan 28, 2012 5:21 PM EST up reply actions

True. However, the same could be said about any coach of a great team- where would Bellichick be without Brady, Peyton without Brees, etc.

"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."

by dannijd on Jan 28, 2012 6:46 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

Does anyone feel having made the SB quiet BB’s limited drafting on the defensive side of ball? ie. if Pats win there won’t be a need to draft pass rusher, or DBs

by i luv this site on Jan 28, 2012 11:49 AM EST reply actions

No, because I think in Belichick's mind

a team can always get better. He’ll draft the same whether the Pats go 2-14 or 19-0, because the final results will never affect the way he coaches/manages the franchise. He’ll draft who he thinks will be the best contributors to the team, and try to field the best team he can for next year.

It matters not how strait the gate, nor charged with punishments the scroll:
I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.

by BigRussNovak on Jan 28, 2012 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

Totally agree

"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."

by dannijd on Jan 28, 2012 6:46 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

Terrific Tom

Brady will be in his usual rare form for the Superbowl. But the Giants D & Eli will also be in rare form & frustrate the Pats at every turn. The Giants & Eli will turn in another stellar performance, & have a reprise of 2007 Super Bowl when they beat the Pats.

by BeRe on Jan 29, 2012 8:08 AM EST reply actions