Here are four nuggets that stood out from player interviews upon the Patriots' arrival Sunday:
1) Mike Vrabel on the fans. The outside linebacker seemed touched by the show of support at a Sunday morning rally at Gillette Stadium. “When I was first pulling into the stadium I thought ‘man, we’re going to have to go out in snow before we leave’ and then as I saw everyone lined up, the kids, and the families, and the parents, it was cool,” Vrabel said. “We were excited to go out on the field and see everybody – 15,000 or 20,000 – and those people were excited. We need to get those people at the games. Those are the type of fans that we need to get back into our stadium. I think that they deserve to experience this just as much as the people who can afford to come out here and to buy our season tickets. Those are the people who I think sometimes get left out with the cost of this game, to watch it, to travel. Those are the ones I'd like to see experience this."
2) Richard Seymour: Football is fun again. Defensive lineman Richard Seymour spoke with candor when asked about his 2006 season and missing the start of the 2007 campaign. "The last few years, football was very tough for me – not being healthy and not being able to go out and give the level of expectations that I had," he said. "Now, football is starting to become fun again. It’s at the right time. I think you learn from all of the situations that you’re in and now it’s made me a better football player.”
3) Bruschi's stroke story draws attention. Several reporters asked linebacker Tedy Bruschi about his remarkable return to football after his stroke. Bruschi spoke of the inspiration he receives from reading letters from folks across the country. "Most of the letters are really heartfelt letters. I don’t receive your average, everyday fan mail," he said. "To tell you the truth, I receive stories of adversity, whether they are cancer survivors or stroke survivors. If any of them tell me they have been able to draw inspiration from what I’ve been able to do, it’s incredibly honoring.”
4) Brady on his feelings toward New York. After being photographed in New York early last week, quarterback Tom Brady was asked if his feelings about the big city have changed. “I love beating New York," he said, on cue. "This will be our fourth opportunity this year to play a New York team." Brady then turned more serious, saying: "Yes, it was an interesting week. I am much lighter on my toes than I thought. I was glad to be back in Boston when I got back there; glad to be back in the insulated halls of our locker room and glad that I have my offensive line around to protect me now this week. Don’t any of you be chasing me around. I won’t be nearly as nice as I was last week."
What's New York City got over Boston? Tom ought to talk Giselle into living in beantown. ...and Brady wearing a Yankees cap was blaspemy.
Those are the people left out Mike! And with some luck maybe some of the games will be in another country next year. THANKS to all the money hungry that forgot the FANS.
Thanks for speaking out, Mike! European soccer has always made sure not to price out the fans and it shows in the atmosphere at games... I know there are only 8 home games a year but the fans who care the most won't even get to make it to one of those games
Rog, There are actually some FANS that go to the games too. If Vrabel is referring to crowd noise then we must realize that Gillette does not retain sound the same way Foxboro Stadium did.
benny, keep in mind the rally was at gillette stadium, so i think vrabel realizes that, and is just saying he'd prefer the type of crowd that is die-hard enough to go to a sunday morning rally in the cold snow and cheer on the team where it doesn't cost over $100 just to get in the door.
amen, vrabel. Go tell it on a mountain!
Maybe Vrabel was referring to you Benny.Was'nt attacking fans anyway. The problem is being priced out of anything.Also any NFL game not on U.S. soil. This is America's Game. If you get to see the Pats again scream your guts out for me.I live in TN .The land of the Tennessee Colts. I also payed $800 for 4 tickets to see the PATRIOTS play the titans last year and took two kids with me.(that are not my children) The face value of the tickets was$66.
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