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New England Patriots Links 6/17/11 - Pat Chung: The More Things You Can Do, The More Opportunities You Get

By Marima
<em>Jermaine Cunningham poses with fans following local lockout workout</em>
Jermaine Cunningham poses with fans following local lockout workout

Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) Patrick Chung talks workouts, Belichick as he preps for 2011.

"You've got to be on time. Receivers have to be on time with quarterbacks. DBs have to be on time with the communicating," he said. "It was also good to get the rookies out there to get them a jump on the playbook."

"Those two guys, Vince Wilfork and Kevin Faulk as well, whatever those guys say, it's going to happen. The guys that follow them will make sure everybody listens to them also."

"The more things you can do, the more opportunities you get. You get to blitz, cover, be in the box or in the deep middle — all different types of things. It's good to do as many things as possible, it shows value." 

Chung takes that ideology into his workouts, making sure to improve every aspect of his game. "I'm one of those guys that tries to be great at everything, and you have got to keep working to be great. Mentally with the playbook and physically — speed, quickness, strength and endurance. Anything you can think of, I'm working on that now," he said.

Despite a league-best 14-2 record, the Patriots' loss to the Jets in the playoffs turned 2010 into a disappointing season. Chung botched a fake punt in the playoff loss, but he is past it.

"Blocked it out. Move on. The last time I talked about it is right now. I'm over that and I'm getting ready for next season," he said.

Chung has benefited from playing under the great defensive mind that is Bill Belichick and would have no problem listening to Belichick for a long time. "One word — genius. He's a great coach, a great man and he's cool," he said. "He wants to win. I'll continue to play for him, hopefully forever."

PFW staff (Pro Football Weekly) AFC East best bets to break through in 2011. Patriots: Patrick Chung.

Chung proved he was a special-teams playmaker in 2010, and the third-year pro could be primed for a big season in the Patriots' defensive backfield in '11. He started 13 games last season and had three picks, including an interception returned for a score. Chung might be ready to take his play to the next level, assuming he can improve in coverage. The Patriots need to improve upon last year's 30th ranking in pass defense, and a breakthrough campaign by Chung could help make that happen. He is generally better in the box and has been used on blitzes, but Chung could take the athleticism he has displayed near the line of scrimmage and on special teams to the passing defense as well. Chung's days of being overlooked by his Pro Bowl safety mate Brandon Meriweather could be over. Someone on New England's defense needs to take the next step to get New England back to the Super Bowl, and it could be Chung's turn.

TEAM TALK

  • Patriots today - Before they were coaches (2.59 min. video).  Pretty cool.
  • PFW in Progress - 6/16/11: The PFW crew discusses a wide variety of off-season topics. (2 hour program).

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