Patriots chatter

TAMPA – Comments from Patriots players following tonight’s game:

Rookie QB Kevin O’Connell
(on his interception)
“Obviously, coming out there in the second half, you want to get off to a good start. I think I was just trying to do a little too much on the first play. It’s another learning experience. One of the things I’m trying to learn to do is learn to move on to the next play, and do whatever I can to move the offense. I was excited we got some big-time catches and some protection on that touchdown drive [in the fourth quarter], and we were able to pound it in there with Heath [Evans]. Going into the situation, coming into the game, you want to come in right away and be a catalyst. With that turnover, it kind of set us back a little bit.”

O’Connell
(on what he saw on the interception)
“Chad [Jackson] is a big target over there on the sideline and I was able to get out. It was a bootleg, and I was able to avoid the first rusher. When I avoided him, I thought I bought a little time, but they were in pretty tight coverage. It was me trying to squeeze it into something and the corner made a good play on it. Next time that ball has to go about five rows into the stands – throw that thing away.”

Safety John Lynch
(on coming home to Tampa Bay)
“It’s nice to get a warm welcome when you come home Coming out [onto the Raymond James field] not wearing red or Broncos colors is different. … It’s always nice to come back here. This place will always be part of my family.”

Linebacker Mike Vrabel
(on the game)
"We didn't make enough plays and then gave too much on first down and gave up short conversions on third down. Missed tackles. Big plays. That will about do it."

Vrabel
(on if he was surprised or concerned that the defense couldn't get off the field)
"I wouldn't say concerned. I just think that we got a lot of work to do and we're going to try to do that. There is not a lot of time before our first game."

Running back Sammy Morris
(on the performance of young players)
"Rookie or not, no one is really executing to the level that we expect for ourselves. We have to go back to work and see what we need to correct -- rookies, veterans and anyone in between."