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New England Patriots Links 10/27/11 - Brady: Against Steelers, 'It's All About Execution'

By Marima

Bill Belichick addresses the media on the tough matchup Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Feels like we're back in the division again. The Steelers - [we] had a lot of chance to look at them here over the last few days - [we] got a jump on them last week. They look good as usual. [They're] well coached, good in all three phases of the game, real explosive team, can score from literally anywhere on the field: on defense with their strip sacks and turnovers and offensively and offensively and the kicking game with their explosive skill players. Their backs have had long runs, their receivers have had long passes, obviously particularly [Mike] Wallace. They've had big plays in the return game. They're a real solid team, well coached, good players. It's always a tough team to play. We have a lot of work to do here. We got a good start on yesterday and we'll try to build on that here through the next three days.

Is it safe to say that year-to-year they don't change much defensively?

Yeah, I'd say that and why should they? They lead the league in defense every year.

Tom Brady responds to a question asking him to explain the success he's had against Dick LeBeau's defense for years and years.

Like I said, it's just execution; it's guys getting open and us completing it. There's no special thing that we do. There's no magic dust we put in our cereal in the morning or anything like that. We just played really well. That does pretty well against any defense. Like I said, we've played them when we haven't played very well, like in 2008; we didn't play very well and they kicked the crap out of us and in 2004 they kicked the crap out of us. We have to go in expecting to play our best game. If we don't, it's a long hard day. If we do, we're confident that we can get the win.

They've played us pretty good a few times, too. We've had our moements and they've had their moments. I think we realize the kind of challenge that it is and we put a lot of time into the preparation and we put a lot of effort into understanding what we're trying to accomplish from a game plan standpoint and then we've executed well. It's a good defense; it's a very good defense. They're first in the league in pass defense and I know you probably don't care about that, but there pretty damn good if you ask me. 

TEAM TALK

LOCAL LINKS

  • Karen Guregian believes the Steelers will provide the Patriots DBs a true test of whether or not they are getting better at defending the pass.
  • Ian Rapoport notes Tom Brady wasn't buying for one second the notion that he has mastered Dick LeBeau's defense.
  • Chris Forsberg discovers that against the Patriots, the vaunted Steelers defense never rests.
  • Julian Benbow reports the Patriots are well aware that a banged up Ben Roethlisberger is often times more dangerous than a healthy one.
  • Chris Forsberg reports Ben Roethlisberger doesn't plan on adding to the Wilfork Island mystique.
  • Chris Forsberg notes Tom Brady and the Patriots hope to neutralize the tough conditions at Heinz Field with their level of play.
  • Greg A. Bedard and former Patriots TE Jermaine Wiggins take a look at how the Patriots will neutralize the Steelers famous blitz. (5.05 min. video)
  • Karen Guregian notes Rob Gronkowski committed one of the cardinal sins in Bill Belichick’s player code book, making news during the bye week.
  • Mike Reiss shares some quick hits from the Patriots locker room.
  • Chris Forsberg breaks down the Patriots play action vs. the Steelers.
  • Mike Reiss keeps an eye on penalties and says the Patriots are showing improvement in this area.
  • Monique Walker Patriots Notebook: Rob Gronkowski apologized to the Krafts for the "simple picture" of him and an adult film star; Despite his record, Tom Brady doesn't feel like he has anything 'figured out' against the Steelers; Dan Koppen is progressing in his rehab; Dan Fletcher's thumb is still an issue; Injury update plus practice attendance.
  • Ian Rapoport Patriots Notebook: Dan Koppen was seen in the locker room, happy to be finally off crutches; Mike Wallace, averaging 20.3 yards per catch, is high on the Patriots radar; Ross Ventrone has been playing the role of Troy Polamalu in practice, and not just because of his hair; Steelers are evolving into more of a passing offense; Ben Roethlisberger is 6-5, 241 and very difficult to bring down.

NATIONAL NEWS

VIEW FROM PITTSBURGH

  • Mark Kaboly (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) Steelers believe game with Patriots is 'five star matchup'.
  • Ed Bouchette (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Brady does damage from pocket; Big Ben does it on the run.
  • Bob Smizik (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Steelers vs. Brady: An ugly history.
  • Scott Brown (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) Patriots' TEs pose matchup problems.
  • Jeff Oliver (Valley Independent) Zolak: Steelers should throw.
  • Scott Brown (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) Mike Wallace: 'We can score enough points.'
  • Ed Bouchette (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Seems everyone knows how to beat the Patriots.
  • Gerry Dulac (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) NFL forecast: Week 8. Patriots over Steelers 31-27.

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