Christopher Price posts the complete transcript of Troy Brown's Q&A with the media Tuesday.
When you look at this accomplishment and honor, do you get a little bit nostalgic for how things started for you with the Patriots?
"Yeah, somewhat. You look back on it – and I always look back on it – where I started from and how shaky things were and how unsure things were for me for a long time wearing that Patriots uniform. I think it was like seven years in there where it was always pretty unstable for me. I look back on it now and I realize now how much the fans really did appreciate what I was doing when, at times, it seemed like some other people around the organization didn’t seem to realize that. When it comes down to it, I always played hard for my teammates and played hard for my coaches no matter who it was and ownership and you really wanted to go out there and make our fans happy. I think that now that I realize how much they appreciated the way I played the game, it does make me feel really good."
How would you rate yourself on the basis of natural ability?
"I was always athletic. I didn’t have some of the skills that you see a lot of the athletes have. I could jump, I was quick, I could catch and all those types of things, but when it came to just flat out speed, that was something I had to work really hard at. I got better and I got faster and I think it showed. When I hit 28, 29 years old – I was probably 30 years old – I was running my best times ever in the 40-yard dash. That worked out in my favor. Maybe I don’t have all the things that you would think a guy my size would have, but I think I read some quotes from Bill [Belichick] and it’s kind of hard to make up for some of those things, but when you have the heart and determination to go out there and get something done and you go out there and you play the game like you love it, you can make up for a lot of things that you don’t have." ...
Jeff Howe notes Matt Light announces plans for his next 'Celebrity Shoot-out.'
Patriots owner Robert Kraft had a great line while discussing the Celebrity Shoot-Out last month during Light’s retirement ceremony. Kraft recalled the first time Light described the event and thought about the prospects of a bunch of teammates heading into the woods with guns before he quipped, "What could possibly go wrong?"
TEAM TALK
- Andy Hart tackles the Ask PFW mailbag: Passing thoughts.
- Troy Brown conference call transcript and audio (10.12 min.)
- NFL Total Access (NFL.com) Bigger impact: McDaniels or Sparano? (2.37 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Headed to the Hall. (2.50 min. video)
- PFW in Progress - The PFW crew talk about the latest Patriots news including Troy Brown's induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame. (2 hour program)
LOCAL LINKS
- Tom E. Curran takes a look back with Troy Brown into his big-play vault - and there are so many it's hard to pick the best one.
- Tom E. Curran notes Troy Brown never sought out honors or accolades, but he knows it's special to be part of the Hall of Fame.
- Rich Levine posts a tribute to Troy Brown with some clips from his favorite plays.
- Paul Kenyon recalls Troy Brown always put the team's goals ahead of personal ones.
- Christopher Price gives us an update on the status of the Patriots' rookie contracts.
- Jeff Howe notes the Patriots have improved their drafting success with second-round keepers, but soon they'll have to pay for that success.
- Jeff Howe focuses on the two best and two worst second-round picks for the Patriots from 2000-2008.
- Jeff Howe posts a rundown of the Patriots' second-round picks under Bill Belichick and how they fared with their contracts.
- Field Yates highlights a few characteristics he sought in DBs as a scout, and offers an early projection of how each current DB could be used in NE.
- Mike Rodak answers his weekly Patriots mailbag: At OTAs, hints of things to come.
- Field Yates serves up some leftovers from the weekly Patriots mailbag.
- The NESN staff has a poll for fans to vote for the best wide receiver in Patriots history.
- Matt Pepin notes former Patriots lineman Joe Andruzzi is scheduled to chat with Boston.com readers at 3:30 p.m. today.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) NFL rankings: Carl Nicks, Jahri Evanbs top best interior linemen. Logan Mankins is No. 4.
- Peter King (SI) MMQB - Tuesday edition: Saints open camp with Vilma; Ref squabble no big deal yet.
- Mark Kriegel (Fox Sports) Goodell isn't a player hater.
- Pat Kirwan (CBS Sports) Holding patterns: Passing attempts are up and so are holding calls.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Report: Replacement officials likely will be used during regular season.
- Chris Burke (SI) Using replacement officials would be a roll of the dice for NFL.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Nearly two weeks later, no action on collusion case.
- Nate Davis (USA Today) CBA violation costs Seattle Seahawks two OTA sessions.