Talking to Patriots S Patrick Chung About Health, Giants, Secondary and More
INDIANAPOLIS -- Yesterday morning, I had the chance to speak with Patriots safety Pat Chung about a variety of different topics surrounding his health, role, progression, and the match-up against the Giants receivers.
Chung, a third year pro preparing for his first career Super Bowl, spoke with a lot of excitement and enthusiasm, making him a pleasure to interview. I could really tell, just from talking to him, that he was really just enjoying the moment and that he really was a believer in the "Patriot way."
On returning in the regular season finale and how he feels now:
I feel good. I've got no complaints; we're in the big show. So I mean, it's all good, man, I'm ready to go.
Thoughts on progression heading into fourth year after Sunday's game:
I mean, it's only my third year, man. You don't know progression until years and years into [your career]. Some guys have been in the league for years and haven't made it. You've got to have the mentality to stay focused and always strive for perfection - just keep working hard.
On covering the Giants talented receiving corps:
Just cover them. I mean, they're good, we're good. It's going to be a battle, they have a quarterback that's getting the ball to them and he's on fire right now so we are going to have to play hard man. We'll have to play physical, play hard, play fast, and play focused.
Thoughts on playing more slot in 2010, and more traditional safety in 2011:
Whatever coach wants. It's not our decision. Whatever coach wants to do, whatever position he wants to put you in that he thinks will help the team, that's what we have to do.
On turnover in secondary and all the new faces week in and week out:
It could be a challenge if you let it be and guys [head coach Bill Belichick] puts there, he has faith in those guys, like [Matt] Slater coming over and Julian [Edelman]. He has full faith in those guys. Regardless of who's being shuffled around, we're in the same room, we're all on the same page, we're all on the same playbook, we all have to be able to communicate with everybody on the field. We have smart guys that can play any position, so I have full faith in anybody.
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Patriots Unsung Heroes: Myra Kraft
We all know that there are a lot of unsung heroes on the New England Patriots; looking back at it now, I probably should have started this little project weeks ago in order to give them all their proper respect. Unfortunately, the season is almost over, so I'll just have to chalk it up to one of my many failures and move on.
In the time I have had this past week, I've tried to pick the Patriots players or coaches that I think haven't gotten a lot of press, but will be instrumental in the Patriots' chances for a Super Bowl victory. There were plenty that I missed, and I probably could have done a better job with the ones I did pick, but I did the best I could.
What I don't want to do, though, is end this series on anything less than the absolute highest of high notes.
And to that end, there is no member of the Patriots organization, the National Football League, and perhaps the country, more deserving of the term Unsung Hero than Myra Kraft.
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As we await the final chapter, the 2011 Patriots
The last chapter of the book tells us much about how we'll view the story going forward. As we look forward to the final chapter, we're eager and anxious to know how the heroes will fair. If they fair poorly, we'll likely never read the book again. If they battle bravely, and emerge victoriously, this be a book that we want to return to over and over, passing on to our children as a treasured gift. The final chapter is important in how we view the whole book.
As Patriots' fans, we saw the last chapter of the 2007 season end tragically. The perfect season was ruined by a fluke catch and a couple missed plays. The perfect season would have been remembered forever even as the 1972 Dolphins are remembered today, yet the final chapter sullied the rest of the book. Most of us won't touch that book and can't read that last chapter again.
We had comfort, though, in knowing that the team was mostly intact and 2008 could be our redemption. That is until the first game was played. In this case, the first chapter felt like we should just close the cover on the whole season. Without the general, how would the heroes perform? While they did quite admirably, they lost Harrison and most of the linebacker corps by season's end. The book was shorter than hoped. The last chapter: a disappointment.
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Differences in Coughlin and Belichick's Philosophies Highlighted in Final Pre-Game Press Conferences
INDIANAPOLIS -- At the conclusion of his pre-Super Bowl XLVI press conference from the JW Marriott Media Center in downtown Indianapolis, New York Giants head coach took a minute to pose for pictures in front of a table set-up that showcased the Lombardi Trophy. Immediately after stepping down from the stage, Coughlin proceeded to the back of the conference room to partake in an on-air interview with NFL Network.
At this point, any devout Patriots follower would be shaking his or her head.
After, less than an hour earlier, Patriots coach Bill Belichick, once again in a light-hearted mood, couldn't have possibly looked more disinterested in the Lombardi trophy. He knew that this wasn't the time. And it's not that he can't or hasn't been appreciative of the opportunity to play for another Super Bowl title. During his press conference, he reflected as much, saying that "every Super Bowl is special, and it's a real privilege to be involved. I know this is my eighth one as a head or assistant coach, but it's what you work for all year long going all the way back to February or March when you start putting your team together and training camp and all the meetings."
And while Belichick has been appreciative and more laid back, he hasn't let that sentiment and attitude get to him or his team. He wants nothing to do with the accomplishment of getting to Super Bowl XLVI unless his team can actually win the thing. Again and again, he and the Patriots players have reflected that this week is a "business trip" and that there is still a "job" to be finished.
The Patriots are most certainly "confident." However, they are reflecting that confidence through an air of "quiet confidence," and as Tom Brady has said, the Patriots will do their talking on Sunday.
To me, I look at the Giants perceived "confidence" this week as being a bit arrogant. And, in my opinion, it starts with the head coach. Don't get me wrong, Tom Coughlin is a great guy, smart coach and I certainly wouldn't call him arrogant - but his team's "confidence" isn't the type that you want heading into the Super Bowl considering the potential pit-fall a loss could cause.
Follow the jump for much more!
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New England Patriots Links 2/03/12 - Waters the Bridge Over Troubled O-Line
Paul Perillo sits down with Dante Scarnecchia and gets the scoop on what makes Brian Waters so special.
"Over the last month, when we had all those guys hurt – [Matt] Light, [Logan] Mankins – he was the bell cow. He stepped forward. In the Miami game, he was the only guy. He had more years experience than all those guys [in the game at the time] combined. And he’s the guy on the sideline saying, ‘Here’s what we have to do, here’s how we have to do it, everybody’s got to shut up and communicate, do it the right way, reduce all the talking.’
And he got them going on the field, to his credit, down 17-0 and we’re standing there saying ‘holy [expletive], we’re in trouble.’ We got no Light, no Mankins, [Nate] Solder is over there [at left tackle], Marcus [Cannon], he just finished chemotherapy three months earlier – ‘Marcus, get in at right tackle’ – I’m not saying that other than to say ‘Hey, this is looking pretty [bad] right now.’ And Brian’s got ’em all on the sideline saying, ‘C’mon, we got to do this.’ And then we start having some success and it starts working out. That’s the stuff you love."
Logan Mankins is asked about the Giants trash-talk this week.
"I'm not surprised. We've played these guys a few times now, you kind of can expect this from their side. I don't blame them for being confident and wanting to win. We would love to have a big parade for our fans too. We know only one team can win and it's either going to be our fans or their fans. We'll just have to wait and see. Football is about making your statement on the field. The game is on the field. It's not during the week, or in practice, or through the media, it's on Sunday in that three hour block. We'll see who does the talking this weekend."
Ian Rapoport asks Joe Montana what he appreciates from Brady’s game.
"His ability, getting the ball out of his hand, making quick decisions. He’s the kind of guy that takes what you give him," Montana said. "And that’s how you last in this league. That’s what he does the best. He’s going to find a weakness and that’s why the key for the Giants is you got to make him move. "You can’t let him stay in there, he’ll kill you."
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Rob Gronkowski Returns to Practice with "Limited" Participation
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has taken the field for the first time since the AFC Championship. The Patriots' most recent practice participation report lists the All-Pro tight end as a "limited" participant.
While reports have been circulating for the past week and a half that Gronkowski will indeed play in Super Bowl XLVI, this is the first tangible evidence that Gronkowski's condition is indeed improving. All indications are that Gronkowski will take the field for Super Bowl XLVI. While we can still sit back and debate his effectiveness, debating whether or not he actually plays, at this point, seems pointless.
The rest of the Patriots participation report remained constant, with no other players missing practice. Dane Fletcher, Pat Chung, Kyle Love, Logan Mankins, Brandon Spikes, Wes Welker were part of a group of ten players listed as "limited" in practice. Deion Branch, Dan Connolly, Matt Light, Matt Slater, and James Ihedigbo were all listed as having fully participated in practice despite illness or injury.
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Julian Edelman on Versatility, Covering Cruz, and... Omelets?
INDIANAPOLIS -- Patriots receiver / defensive back / chef Julian Edelman is a busy man these days. Between spending time in both the offensive and defensive meeting rooms, Edelman has also established himself as quite the chef.
I sat down with Edelman during media access earlier today, and asked him a few questions about his versatility, the team's match-up with the Giants, and his omelet cooking skills. Edelman really provided some great answers and football wisdom, so if you're going to read one transcript from my interviews on site at Super Bowl XLVI, let it be this:
On what versatility means to him:
Versatility, as it's defined, means "to do a lot of things." For me, it means anything you can do to help contribute to the team winning the game. That's mostly the reason why I'm here and I'm excited for the opportunities.
His response to those who doubt his ability to cover receivers:
I really don't worry about what people say. If I'm worrying about that, I'm worrying about the wrong things. I'm more worried about preparing this week for the New York Giants. This is the last game of the 2011 season... or 2012, whatever it is. And that's what I do.
Thoughts on the challenge of covering Victor Cruz in the slot:
Like you said, he's an explosive player. He's got great short area quickness and he's got long speed. He not only plays the slot, he can play outside and he's got good run after catch ability. He's definitely a very good player and we have our hands full.
On how NFL career has progressed based on his initial expectations and his development as a receiver:
I'm still learning; the day you're done learning is the day you're done. I don't really think about my career in the past, I think about this week, right now. And once this season's over I'll go back and I'll evaluate what I have to do better for the upcoming season.
Based on all of his recipes and good things to eat posted on Twitter, what his best omelet is:
I can make a killer sweet potato casserole omelet, little thing, where you sauté the onions and all that stuff. I like to do that, but I literally just throw whatever I have in the kitchen into the omelet. I enjoy making those breakfasts and they're pretty tasty.
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NFL Announces Super Bowl Officials
Yesterday, the NFL announced the official Super Bowl officials for Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis. We're a day behind, but thought we'd pass on the word to you anyways. The official press release:
Referee JOHN PARRY will lead the seven-man crew of game officials selected to work Super Bowl XLVI this Sunday between the New York Giants and New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium, the NFL announced today.
The other members of the Super Bowl XLVI officiating crew are CARL PAGANELLI (umpire), TOM STABILE (head linesman), GARY ARTHUR (line judge), GARY CAVALETTO (field judge), LAIRD HAYES (side judge) and TONY STERATORE (back judge). The Super Bowl XLVI officiating crew collectively has 94 years of NFL officiating experience and 69 combined playoff game assignments.
Parry, in his 12th season as an NFL game official, served as the side judge in Super Bowl XLI. Promoted to referee in 2007, he has officiated nine playoff games - one Super Bowl, one Conference Championship, six Divisional playoffs and one Wild Card game.
Under the NFL officiating program's evaluation system, the highest-rated eligible officials at each position earn the right to work the Super Bowl. Super Bowl officials must have at least five years of NFL experience and previous playoff assignments.
LARRY NEMMERS is the replay assistant. The video operator is LOU NAZZARO.
What do you think of this crew?

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