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September 28, 2007
Belichick bits
FOXBOROUGH -- Patriots coach Bill Belichick held his Friday press conference (10:45 a.m.) and the topics were wide ranging. Three of the topics that stood out:
His thoughts on Packers QB Brett Favre possibly setting the NFL's record for TD passes this weekend, and if he's one of the game's all-time greats. "I would have to say so. He's thrown a few against us, against me, one way or another. He's a great player. His longevity, his durability has been remarkable. Interesting guy. First-round pick. Traded away. Didn't think it was going to work out for him in Atlanta. What a career he's had. Pretty special guy, a special day."
On tight end Benjamin Watson catching a touchdown pass in each of the first three games. "I think Ben has had a real good year. I think it started back in the spring. He's a guy that probably has improved this year as much as any player could from one year to the next, not counting the rookie year to the second year. His route running, decision-making, his handling of the ball, his confidence catching it, his adjustments in the passing game have really been good. He's had several of those plays where he's been able to make adjustments."
Praise for safety and special teams ace Mel Mitchell, who had 2 special teams tackles in Sunday's win over the Bills. "He certainly adds a physical presence as well as an athletic presence to our special teams. He can run, he's instinctive, he's a physical guy, he's a good tackler. He can stand up to bigger people that he's involved with, like linebackers and tight ends, in the kicking game, and he's fast enough and quick enough to get away from those people, or get in position to block them. ... I thought that was a big sequence for us in the Buffalo game. We scored and then we kicked off and Mel made the tackle back around the 15-yard line. Then the defense held them and we had a good punt return, got the ball around midfield and drove down and hit Watson for a touchdown. It went from being 7-3 to 17-7, and special teams had two big plays in there. The kickoff coverage play and the punt return. That's one of the things plays in the kicking game can do, it can really have an impact on the momentum of the game, taking one or two plays and catapulting that into a score."
Belichick said the team has remained on a normal schedule, even though the game is Monday night.
Posted By: mreiss | Time: 11:20:00 AM | E-mail | Link
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(4)Granted the Patriots were caught up in the 'Spygate' scandal. In the end this ultimately became the fuel Belichick needed to re-ignite the lack of respect fire that had seemed to burn out. This scandal may actually become worse for the teams the Patriots face because they once again have a chip on their shoulders and something to prove.
I admire Bill Belichick's leadership and ability to keep the team and the program moving along and winning, as usual. We're lucky lot to have such a commitment to winning on and off the field. The best players want to come to New England and people are passionate about football...not so, 10 years ago. Mr Kraft, Bill Bellichick, and Scott Pioli have changed the sports scene in six states, not to mention a few countries!
Why anyone would have to pay a $500,000 fine for putting on tape what any one of 60,000 fans in the stands could see with his (or her) own eyes is beyond me. The rule is ridiculous.
Favre was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1991 Nfl draft..