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2003 Season Click here for entire Bruschi Article Archive
Patriots fell Giants, 26-6
Dan Klecko
had a nice series on the Giants next possession (from outside linebacker),
getting to Ron Dayne for a 1-yard loss on first down and then hitting Dayne
again in the backfield while teammate Ty Warren cleaned up for another 1-yard
loss. (full article) http://www.patriots.com/games/gamesdetails.sps?matchreportid=24620&matchid=23610
Patriots Notebook: Pats preparing for Giants with eye on regular season 08/04/2003
The players can feel
the intensity level already being turned up a notch, said Patriots' veteran
linebacker Tedy Bruschi. Bruschi butterflies He's embarking on his eighth NFL season and has a Super Bowl ring on his finger, but Bruschi still gets butterflies every season. "I still feel the same way the first day of training camp as I did when I was a rookie," he said yesterday after an afternoon practice at Gillette Stadium. "It's like, 'Do I still have it?' before you make that first collision. Then you make the first collision and it's like, 'OK, it's another year.' I'm sure it will be that way for the first game because it's been a while, especially for me. I missed the last four games of the season (injured knee). So I'll be especially anxious."
Linebackers a solid group By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff, 8/10/2003 It probably means absolutely nothing at this time of the preseason, but after watching a dominating performance by New England's Rosevelt Colvin Thursday night and then seeing Buccaneers running back Michael Pittman scorch a very old-looking and confused-looking Junior Seau Friday in a win over the Dolphins, you'd have to think "Advantage: Patriots." Three of the four AFC East teams picked up a "trophy" linebacker in the offseason. The Bills got what many perceive to be the best all-around one in Takeo Spikes, formerly of the Bengals, but Colvin certainly looked as good against the run as he is a pass rusher, stripping the ball from Tiki Barber to set up the Patriots' first score in their 26-6 win over the Giants Seau, who was an All-Pro with the San Diego Chargers for many years, is still a rough and tough player, but if you can make him cover, which is what Tampa Bay did, you might be on to something. Pittman, in particular, burned him on a 28-yard reception in the first quarter on Tampa Bay's first scoring drive. Seau told reporters after the game, "I was yelling pass all the way and then I took my eye off him for a second and he ran a chair route." The Dolphins said they didn't do much game-planning for those routes and if it had been a regular-season game, they would have been more prepared. Nobody doubts that. And nobody doubts what's in Seau's heart. It certainly was a lousy way to start his Dolphins career, but the good news is that it really doesn't count, and two months from now nobody will remember it (unless such plays become a frequent occurrence). The Dolphins, who have eight Pro Bowlers on defense, had two touchdowns scored against that first-string defense, while the Giants could manage only two field goals against the Patriots. Granted, the Bucs are the defending Super Bowl champions, but they are known more for their defense. Certainly it's tougher to play the Bucs out of the gate than the Giants, who didn't have Michael Strahan or No. 1 pick William Joseph, but it's still a psychological advantage for the Patriots, who need every edge to win the division. Linebackers certainly will be a focus of the AFC East. Colvin, Seau, and Spikes will be under a microscope all season, but don't forget the guys around them. While Colvin got the attention Thursday, the work done by Tedy Bruschi had to be a thrill for the Patriots' coaching staff. Bruschi is a key element in the team's linebacking scheme because he can give you so many different looks. When he was drafted out of Arizona in the third round in 1996, Bill Parcells made the former defensive end a jack-of-all-trades. He was considered too small to be a full-time lineman in the NFL, so he was used as a situational pass rusher and moved around at different spots before he proved, in the Pete Carroll era, that he was an every-play linebacker. Against the Giants, Bruschi was used as a defensive tackle in the "dime" packages, going up against guards that had about a 50-pound advantage on him. When the Patriots decided to go with a 3-4 defense, some observers thought Bruschi might be the odd man out, but that hardly seems to be the case. "I just needed to go out there and reestablish myself," said Bruschi, who turned 30 in June and missed the last four games of the 2002 season after injuring his knee in the Thanksgiving game in Detroit. "It had been a long time for me. It just felt good to go out and do my job and help the team win. "When you're injured and on the sideline, it's hard to feel you're contributing. I just wanted to work hard this offseason and in training camp to get myself back to where I was and even better." In Miami, it's Seau who will get the attention but the heart and soul of the defense is Zach Thomas. In Buffalo, Spikes should be a great player, but don't forget Jeff Posey, the other free agent linebacker they picked up, who can also get after the quarterback. The Bills unveiled their new guys last night against the Baltimore Ravens. "When you looked at free agency this offseason," said Bills general manager Tom Donahoe, "the most talented position available was linebacker. Teams had a need for a good linebacker -- and some of them play a little differently than others -- and you saw that teams in our division went after them." In a 3-4 set, the linebackers obviously need to shine -- not to mention stay healthy. Mike Vrabel, Roman Phifer, and Ted Johnson all had good games for the Patriots against the Giants. In addition, it looks as if Matt Chatham, who has been mostly a special teams player, has made strides as a linebacker, and the Patriots also have experienced veterans in Don Davis and Larry Izzo, so they are protected in case of injury. Willie McGinest, too, probably will get some linebacker duties when he returns, and seventh-round pick Tully Banta-Cain also may see action. © Copyright 2003 Globe Newspaper Company.
LB TEDY
BRUSCHI
Pats
object to loss of Lawyer Linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who came into the league with Milloy as a member of the 1996 draft class, was also curious how five months could pass without a resolution. ``Has it ever been this quiet in here?'' Bruschi asked. ``I don't think it has. I think `shocked' is the word. When the most prominent player here in the last five or six or seven years is gone, you sort of shake your head and ask why. I don't see how they couldn't have worked it out, to tell you the truth. I wish they would have.''
Moving on
“As hard as it is we are going to
have to [get ready to play,]” linebacker Tedy Bruschi said. “I am a bottom line
type of guy and I am a factual type of guy and the facts are that Lawyer is not
here. It's not by our choice. There isn't anything we could have done about it,
but Lawyer is probably going to be with another team pretty soon. So what can we
do about it? There is nothing we can do. There is nothing we can do about the
moves they make up top. The only thing we can control in here is playing good
football. And that's what we have to do and focus on being 1-0 and beating the
Buffalo Bills. That's it. That's all.”
by Peter King, Sports Illustrated 9/15/03 issue ....Probably nobody was more disappointed than Bruschi, one of the most dedicated players in the NFL. "I'm not as fully committed to the Patriots as I was to my team at Arizona or Roseville (Calif.) High," he said last Thursday. "(The Patriots) took a franchise player and kicked him to the curb five days before the season." He paused, then continued more passionately. " I wish--I wish-- it was the old days in this game, and I could put my heart on the line for something. But how do you do that in a place where guys who've established what this team is about just come and go?"
Patriots Notebook: Lawyer's exit taints Bruschi's love for New England 01:00 AM EDT on Saturday, September 13, 2003
FOXBORO -- The lingering effects of Lawyer Milloy's departure continue to swirl around the Patriots and likely will continue to do so until they can win a game. The latest controversy, albeit one created by a media report, focuses on linebacker Tedy Bruschi's remarks in this week's Sports Illustrated. Bruschi is quoted as saying he'll have trouble putting "my heart on the line" for the Patriots after seeing what happened to Milloy. "I'm not as fully committed to the Patriots as I was to my team at Arizona or Roseville (Cal.) High," he told the magazine. The Pats "took a franchise player and kicked him to the curb five days before the season." He went on to say, "I wish -- I wish -- it was the old days in this game, and I could put my heart on the line for something. But how do you do that in a place where guys who've established what this team is about just come and go?" Asked about his remarks yesterday, Bruschi didn't take back any of his words but did concede, "I was emotional. Last week was an emotional week. Listen, the Patriots are my team. It's the only team I want to play for and it's the only team I ever want to play for." Coach Bill Belichick said he hasn't read the story but was apprised of Bruschi's words and wasn't about to turn on one of his most important players. "I heard about it," he said. "I think Tedy is one of our most committed players, one of our team captains. He has a terrific attitude. I'm glad we have Tedy Bruschi on our team. I think they guy's a good football player and I like him." If the Patriots stumble again at Philadelphia on Sunday, some media and fans will likely point to the Milloy Affair as the cause of the Pats' troubles. Belichick, however, scoffs at that idea. "We've moved on. That's the best way to put it," he said.
Undermanned club keeps options open Bruschi tempers words Tedy Bruschi backed off strong comments he made in this week's Sports Illustrated in the wake of the Milloy release. ``It was an emotional week,'' Bruschi said yesterday. ``There's no team I'd rather play for than the Patriots.'' Last Thursday, Bruschi told SI: ``I'm not as fully committed to the Patriots as I was to my team at Arizona or Roseville (Calif.) High. (The Pats) took a franchise player and kicked him to the curb five days before the season. I wish . . . I could put my heart on the line for something. But how do you do that in a place where guys who've established what this team is about just come and go?'' Belichick responded to the comments as he has to all others uttered by players over the last week - with acceptance. Belichick has not forbidden his players from speaking out about Milloy. Instead, he is letting the issue run its course. ``I think Tedy is one of our most committed players,'' Belichick said. ``He is one of our team captains. He has and continues to have a terrific attitude. I am glad that we have Tedy Bruschi on our team. I think the guy is a good football player and I really like him.''
Onus on players now
......To that end, Tedy Bruschi, who voiced the most critical response to the Milloy move in this week's edition of Sports Illustrated - it was the most public and open cry of outrage during a week of veiled slams by players - vowed yesterday the team was finally focused and ready to move on. ``I can look at you and honestly say (I've moved on),'' said Bruschi, who explained his remarks were made in the heat of the moment. ``All we want is to play the Philadelphia Eagles and just win. That's it. I don't care about any of the drama that happened last week, because it was last week. ``After the (Buffalo) game, I said I couldn't wait for Philly. The only way to remedy any kind of defeat is to get back out there on the field and win a game. And that's what I look forward to doing.'' full article: http://www2.bostonherald.com/sport/patriots/kg09132003.htm
PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK Belichick may stand pat at 52Coach has options for roster opening
Change of heart Responding to inflammatory remarks he made about his employer -- which released team leader Lawyer Milloy -- in a recent Sports Illustrated article, linebacker Tedy Bruschi laid it on the line. "Last week was emotional," he said. "The Patriots are my team and it's the only team I want to play for. I'm an emotional person. I've played for the Patriots for eight years and I don't want to play for another team." Bruschi wasn't spouting the company line last Thursday, when he told an SI reporter, "I'm not as fully committed to the Patriots as I was to my team at Arizona or Roseville [Calif.] High. [The Patriots] took a franchise player and kicked him to the curb five days before the season. I wish -- I wish -- it was the old days in this game, and I could put my heart on the line for something. But how do you do that in a place where guys who've established what this team is about just come and go?" Asked if he read Bruschi's comments, Belichick said, "No, I kind of heard about them. I think Tedy is one of our most committed players. He is one of our team captains. He has, and continues to have, a terrific attitude. I am glad that we have Tedy Bruschi on our team. I think the guy is a good football player and I really like him." . . .
Bruschi continues to make noise off the field MICHAEL PARENTE , Sports Writer 09/14/2003
PHILADELPHIA -- Patriots
linebacker Tedy Bruschi continues to make noise off the field. Just days after
publicly criticizing his team in a magazine article for cutting Lawyer Milloy,
Bruschi fired back at Milloy, who also criticized the Patriots last Sunday after
his new team, the Bills, defeated New England, 31-0.
Emotional rescue from BruschiPHILADELPHIA -- Tedy Bruschi had one of those "emotional" weeks. You couldn't find too many players more upset about the loss of Lawyer Milloy and the effects on the team. "Last week was a very emotional week for me," said Bruschi following yesterday's 31-10 win over the Eagles, "but here we are, it's another week where we just wanted to win a football game and get back on track." Bruschi, who made some strong comments about the move that also questioned his commitment to the Patriots, later recanted those comments and said the Patriots are the only team he ever wants to play for. And as defensive cocaptain, he went about the job of getting the team on the right track again. "I wasn't going to compromise who I am just because we were 0-1," said Bruschi. "I practice hard and I play hard. You see some guys who need a little bit [of motivation] here and a little bit there and you provide that for them. Being a captain is one thing but I think we have 50 some-odd captains. Everyone stepped it up and that's what happens. You bounce back, you get back on track." Bruschi doesn't agree that football is a business, as many players said after the Milloy situation. Bruschi said, "Guys can say that all they want, but football will never be business. It'll always be a game where as soon as that ball is snapped I get on that field I'm gonna put my heart out there. I'm gonna be emotional out there." He does not recall one bell-ringing moment during practice last week when he felt it was all behind the team. He just knows it happened sometime, some way. As far as the opening-day 31-0 loss and what the effects were of Milloy's release and signing with the Bills, Bruschi said, "I don't take into account whether it was blown out of proportion or not. [The media] have to speculate on certain things. You've got to speculate, you've got to predict. Sometimes people want to say some things and sometimes they decide not to say some things." Bruschi, who played well all game, got to put the icing on the cake with an 18-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, adding further agony to Donovan McNabb's horrible day. "I dropped one earlier, so the guys were telling me how to make up for it," Bruschi said. "Donovan just threw it a little bit behind him. There was the ball, right there, and all I had to do was run 15-20 yards."
After getting shut out in their opener, they rebounded at the Eagles' expense. Inquirer Staff Write It happens every season, and the New England Patriots proved it again yesterday at Lincoln Financial Field. Yes, it is possible for an NFL team to follow an absolutely miserable defeat in which everything goes wrong with a dominating performance that produces a big victory. Philadelphia fans may have trouble believing that, but the Patriots' 31-10 victory over the Eagles came on the heels of their 31-0 loss at Buffalo in their Sept. 7 season opener. The Patriots were a team in turmoil that day. Lawyer Milloy, their Pro Bowl safety and defensive captain, had been cut five days before the game for salary-cap reasons. Obviously, the Patriots' morale took a sharp upturn in time for the Eagles, who were never in the game after the first half, but explanations for the Patriots' dramatic turnaround were sparse. "That was a really good effort by our football team," said Bill Belichick, the Patriots' deadpan head coach, stating the obvious. "I'm proud of the way we played in all three phases. I thought it was just a good solid effort all the way around." The difference from the first game? "We played better," Belichick said. "We executed better. We scored in the red area [inside the 20]. We played better defense in the red area. Our third-down defense was better. We didn't give the ball away. It's not that complicated. We were just better. "We had a good week of preparation," Belichick added. "There were some things we had screwed up that we had to get right. That happens every week. I just think we played a lot better." No Patriot improved his game more than quarterback Tom Brady, who completed 30 of 44 pass attempts for 255 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, in brutal contrast, completed only 18 of 46 attempts, for 186 yards and no touchdowns, and was picked off twice. He also lost two fumbles in what was his worst performance since his second NFL season. Belichick was asked if the Eagles' sputtering offense was of their own making, or a product of the Patriots' superb defensive play. "I don't know," Belichick said. "What I do know is that last year, the Eagles... set a franchise record for offensive production. They've got a lot of really good players on offense, starting with the quarterback... . Believe me, those guys are going to win their share of football games this year. We were fortunate that we were able to come up with some plays at the right time." One of the best of them produced the game's final touchdown, an 18-yard interception return by Tedy Bruschi, the Patriots' right inside linebacker. "Little bit of an exclamation point, sort of put it away," Bruschi said of his score. "I dropped one earlier so the guys were telling me I had to make up for it. "McNabb just sort of threw it behind him [Freddie Mitchell]. I was playing a pass drop, going with the man going across me and there was the ball, right there. All I had to do is run 15-20 yards, and I think I can outrace guys for 20 yards." Bruschi also attributed the Patriots' comeback from last week's poor performance to improved effort. "It was the same team and the same players," Bruschi said. "Our goal this week was to do whatever we had to, to leave this place 1-1." Bruschi also pointed out that the defense was able to put pressure on McNabb. "The guys were rushing like dogs today," Bruschi said. "Everybody was trying to get a sack on him and once our offense scored a few points, it was on - just go after McNabb." It worked. McNabb suffered seven sacks, but the Eagles have two weeks to get ready for Buffalo, and maybe they'll get it together by then. It can happen, as the Patriots showed.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/6648698Lewis, Bruschi, Hall take AFC honors(Sept. 17, 2003) -- Running back Jamal Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens, linebacker Tedy Bruschi of the New England Patriots and kick returner-punt returner Dante Hall of the Kansas City Chiefs are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the second week of the 2003 season (Sept. 14-15), the NFL announced. Baltimore's Lewis ran his way into the NFL record books with 295 rushing yards on 30 carries (9.8 avg.) and touchdown runs of 82 and 63 yards to defeat Cleveland in the Ravens' home opener 33-13. The victory lifts Baltimore to 1-1 as the team now travels west to play the San Diego Chargers. With 7:40 remaining in the fourth quarter, Lewis gained 3 yards on a handoff over left guard to reach 280 rushing yards to surpass the 278-yard performance by Cincinnati Bengals running back Corey Dillon in 2000. Dillon rushed for 278 yards against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 22, 2000. "It was great the way the whole team took part in Jamal's record," Baltimore head coach Brian Billick said. "They took pride in the way that they blocked for him, at the line and downfield. ... We all were part of history. It was special." The three-year NFL veteran from Tennessee scored his 82-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage and had 180 rushing yards by halftime. "At halftime, when he had 180 yards, I said to him, 'Why not go for the record?' " Ravens offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden said. "He smiled and said, 'Why not?' Man, to be 240 pounds and that fast. Beautiful, just beautiful." This is Lewis' first career AFC Offensive Player of the Week award. New England's Bruschi had a career-high five passes defensed, including an 18-yard interception return for a touchdown to cap a 31-10 victory at Philadelphia. The eight-year veteran from Arizona also registered four tackles, including one sack, to help the Patriots even their record at 1-1. "Being a captain is one thing but I think we have 50 some-odd captains," Bruschi said. "Everyone stepped it up and that's what happens. You bounce back, you get back on track." Bruschi and his teammates stymied the Eagles, limiting them to 18 of 46 passing (39.1 pct.) and 268 total yards. The Patriots recovered four Philadelphia fumbles and posted two interceptions. This is Bruschi's first-career AFC Defensive Player of the Week award. Kansas City's Hall provided enough electricity to power Arrowhead Stadium with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 45-yard punt return to boost the Chiefs (2-0) past visiting Pittsburgh 41-20. Hall's 100-yard kickoff return occurred as the Steelers enjoyed a 10-0 lead with 9:48 remaining in the first quarter. It was the second-longest kickoff return in club history, second only to a club- and NFL-record 106-yard return by Noland Smith in 1967. Hall's second big return occurred early in the third quarter with the Chiefs ahead 27-20. Pittsburgh was forced to punt from its own 19-yard line after going three-and-out. Hall fielded the punt on his own 48-yard line and returned it 45 yards to the Steelers' 7, where running back Priest Holmes scored on a 4-yard run two plays later for a 34-20 lead. "I love this guy," Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil said of Hall. "He's an inspirational kid. ... It takes all 11 guys, but he's a special kind of spark plug." In his fourth NFL season from Texas A&M, this marks Hall's second career AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award. The speedy Chief earned his previous honor last season in a victory against St. Louis.
09/17/03Lewis, Bruschi and Hall earn AFC Weekly honorsNew York, NY (Sports Network) - Baltimore's record-setting running back Jamal Lewis, New England linebacker Tedy Bruschi and Chiefs kick returner/punt returner Dante Hall were named the AFC's Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for week 2 of the NFL season. Lewis rushed for an NFL record 295 yards and scored twice during the Ravens' home-opener, a 33-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns. The bulky back rushed for touchdowns of 82 and 63 yards, while also having another long run called back due to a penalty. Midway through the fourth quarter, Lewis rushed for three yards on a handoff to the left side, giving him 280 yards in the game and allowing him to pass Cincinnati's Corey Dillon, who rushed for 278 yards against Denver during the 2000 season. Lewis earned his first career weekly award. Bruschi, who also garnered his first weekly award, was all over the field for the Patriots during a 31-10 win at Philadelphia. He also defended five passes, including an 18-yard interception that he returned for a touchdown. New England's defense, led by Bruschi, limited Philadelphia to just 268 total yards. Hall provided the already lethal Kansas City offense with some additional support. The explosive returner did well on both punts and kicks, going 100 yards for a score on a kickoff return and 45 more on a punt return. The 100- yard kickoff return was the second longest in Chiefs' history. He was tackled at the Steelers' seven-yard line on the punt return, and running back Priest Holmes got into the end zone two plays later. Kansas City routed Pittsburgh by a score of 41-20. Hall racked up a total of 208 return yards during the victory, 146 on kickoffs and 62 on punts, to collect his second-career weekly special teams honor. Other nominees for the offensive player award were Hall's teammate Holmes, Buffalo quarterback Drew Bledsoe, Colts running back Edgerrin James, Denver quarterback Jake Plummer, Pittsburgh wide receiver Hines Ward and Miami running back Ricky Williams. Pittsburgh linebacker James Farrior, Indianapolis cornerback Nick Harper, Baltimore safety Ed Reed, Broncos linebacker Al Wilson and Chiefs safety Jerome Woods were considered for the defensive award. Kickers Mike Vanderjagt of Indianapolis and Jason Elam from Denver as well as punter Shane Lechler were nominated for the special teams award. 09/17 14:23:26 ET
Bruschi runs
on emotion: Linebacker is all heart FOXBORO - Two weeks ago, Tedy Bruschi was quoted as saying he was more committed to his high school and college teams than he was to the Patriots Yesterday, Bruschi was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his eight-year career after his madman performance Sunday in Philadelphia. Mutually exclusive? Or different sides of the same coin? Try the latter. Bruschi could have claimed 100 times (instead of just once) that he wished he could ``put his heart on the line'' for the Pats after friend and teammate Lawyer Milloy was released prior to the season. He could have huffed and puffed until he was blue in the face. It wouldn't have mattered. Anybody who knows Bruschi knows this: He's a football player. And that means what he says is not to be trusted. When the whistle blows on Sunday afternoons he only knows one thing - and that's flying to the ball. He did that in most impressive fashion against the Eagles, recording five passes defended, four tackles, one sack and an 18-yard interception return for a touchdown. Arguably his best play - a hit on punt returner Brian Westbrook during a scrum that led to a Pats fumble recovery - didn't even appear on the stat sheet, although it's the exact type of play that wins football games. Bruschi admitted yesterday that his blowup following Milloy's release and his performance in Philadelphia were the result of the same thing: his personality. ``I usually don't let you guys know what I'm thinking. Not like that,'' said the defensive captain. ``But that's who I am. I mean, I'm not the biggest, fastest, strongest guy out there - I just like to use my emotion.'' Bruschi's quote on Milloy, which got huge play in Sports Illustrated, typified the type of ``football-is-a-business'' approach many players took two weeks ago. But does Bruschi really believe that? No way. ``I don't feel that way. Football is just not going to be a business to me,'' he said. ``And that's probably why I'm my own agent. I negotiate my own contracts and I'm able to go up there (to the front office) and talk to them and separate the two. But football to me is a sport. It's a game. I love to play. And it's a game where you can go out there and release and have fun. And that's all football is to me, having fun.'' Bruschi will shoulder a huge amount of responsibility the next few months filling in for Ted Johnson (foot) at the ``mike'' linebacker spot. And Bruschi will be trying to get the job done with a far different style. Johnson is the bull in the china shop, someone who butts heads with offensive guards and fullbacks and powers his way to the ball. Bruschi is smaller and quicker, meaning he has to go around blockers, not through them. Bruschi does that by any means possible; witness his cleats-over-helmet dive over Eagles running back Duce Staley on a second-half blitz. Different styles or not, Bruschi still leans on Johnson for schooling. ``I went over to Ted's house last week, talked to him a little bit about the game and went over the game plan,'' said Bruschi. ``I've been watching him a lot, because he was a dominant performer in there if you ask me. . . . I can't do some of things Ted did. I can't. It's obvious that I'm not going to be able to take on certain blocks like Ted did. I'm just going to use what I have to get the job done.'' And that means flying through the air if necessary. ``If I can't go to the left of him and I can't go to the right of him and I feel like running through him is going to be hard - there's only one more way to go,'' said Bruschi. ``It's just something I try to do to lay it out there. If there's a way, I'm going to find it. If I have to dive over and land on my neck - I'm going to do it.'' As for the Jets, Bruschi doesn't like the fact they've won five in a row in Foxboro. ``That's something we want to remedy,'' he said. ``To have a team come in and win that much is insulting.'' Pats fans should be glad Bruschi has taken offense.
Bruschi turns emotion into award for defense
By Charles Durrenberger
Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi said he was surprised when Eagles quarterback Donovan Mc-Nabb hit him in stride last week. Bruschi returned an interception 18 yards for a touchdown to cap New
England's This week, Bruschi was rewarded for his effort when he was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week. Bruschi, an eight-year veteran from Arizona, had a career-high five passes defensed, and also registered four tackles - including one sack. "Being a captain is one thing, but I think we have 50 some-odd captains," Bruschi told reporters. "Every-one stepped it up, and that's what happens. You bounce back, you get back on track." Bruschi might have to turn in a similar performance in today's home game against the Jets to buoy New England's limping linebacking corps. Rosevelt Colvin underwent season-ending hip surgery this week, and Ted Johnson will be out for several weeks with a broken foot. Bruschi also has been busy off the field. He was quoted in a Sports Illustrated story, written by Peter King, expressing his displeasure with the team's decision to release defensive back Lawyer Milloy on such short notice. "I'm not as fully committed to the Patriots as I was to my team at Arizona or Roseville [Calif.] High," Bruschi told the magazine. "(The Patriots) took a franchise player and kicked him to the curb five days before the season. I wish - I wish - it was the old days in this game, and I could put my heart on the line for something. "But, how do you do that in a place where guys, who've established what this team is about, just come and go?" He offered his response to the media Friday, not necessarily backpedaling, but trying to explain his thought process behind what was said during the interview, which took place two days after Milloy's release. "I was emotional," Bruschi told the Providence Journal. "It was an emotional week. The Pats are my team. It's the only team I've ever played for." The Patriots are 13th in the NFL in total defense, allowing 295 yards per game. New England is better against the pass. It is rank-ed fourth in the league at 192 yards per outing. Stay tuned.
Defense takes
another big hit Fractures typically take 6-8 weeks to heal, but given the fact that Washington missed 14 games last year with a fracture in the same leg to presumably the same bone (fibula), one has to wonder if two months is enough recovery time. Team physicians certainly wasted no time immobilizing the injury, as Washington was spotted with a knee-high cast on his leg in the locker room. The Pats went into the season knowing they had the key elements needed to run the 3-4 defense, particularly a run-stuffing nose tackle (Washington), a point-of-attack middle linebacker (Ted Johnson) and a pass-rushing outside linebacker (Rosevelt Colvin). Now all three players are on the shelf, and Colvin is certain to miss the rest of the season after undergoing hip surgery on Friday. One of the few starters left standing is middle linebacker Tedy Bruschi. ``What's a middle linebacker's favorite friend? His best friend is that big man in the middle. And he is our big man in the middle,'' Bruschi said. ``Whoa, that's a big loss. Ted, you just sense him in there. Guys have got to double-team him. They have to triple-team him. He's an emotional leader around here, too. He's sort of an unmentioned captain. He brings guys up and keeps things light in here. He's going to be missed.'' Bruschi, the reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Week, had another outstanding game, recording a team-high nine tackles and forcing a fumble. And Washington's replacement, veteran Rick Lyle, also held his own, as the Jets ran for just 65 yards on the day. But Lyle is not Washington and Bruschi won't always be able to do it by himself. Given the injuries, the 3-4 may soon give way to the 4-3. The Pats continued to get hit hard by injuries elsewhere. Receiver David Patten left the game in the first quarter and didn't return after jamming his right knee on a reception over the middle. Linebacker Mike Vrabel had to leave the game early with a right elbow problem. His arm was heavily wrapped after the game. Ty Law looked like he suffered a devastating right ankle injury late in the second quarter, but he returned to close the game and promised to be ready to go by this morning. Law reported he had a sprain. Quarterback Tom Brady (elbow) also suffered through some obvious pain. Left guard Mike Compton sat out the game with a broken foot, ending his consecutive start streak at 35 games. Joe Andruzzi moved to left guard while Damien Woody went to right guard and rookie Dan Koppen played center. The trio helped pave the way for a 147-yard rushing day from the offense. Other youngsters stepped in elsewhere. Rookie Asante Samuel filled in for Law and had an interception return for a touchdown. Rookie Dan Klecko saw some time at outside linebacker for Vrabel. Klecko also lined up at fullback in a goal-line situation and helped spring Brady on his 1-yard touchdown run. ``That's been the overall attitude of this team the last few years,'' Bruschi said. ``When guys go down, it's other guys' job to get the job done because it's expected of them.''
Pats: Walking wounded LINEBACKERS - B Tedy Bruschi was impressive for the second straight week, leading the team in tackles with nine and forcing a fumble. He also was a significant force as a pass rusher from various spots along the line. Willie McGinest had five tackles as he took Colvin's place at outside linebacker, but he never really factored in the pass rush. He's got to make the kind of plays he did against Donovan McNabb the rest of this season, particularly if Mike Vrabel is out any significant amount of time. Pass-rushing schemes are only as good as the players implementing them, and the Pats are running out of implementers. The wounds run deepInjuries cut into Patriots' rosterFOXBOROUGH -- The Patriots made an attempt at secrecy yesterday, but there were some things in the locker room that even they couldn't hide. The cast on Ted Washington's fractured left leg was clearly visible as he sat playing dominoes in the center of the spacious room, his crutches leaning on a trash bin. Washington, who was injured five plays into Sunday's 23-16 victory over the Jets, does not speak to the media, so there was no chance of getting any updates or timetables from him. However, a source close to Washington described it as a "clean break. It was a small fracture." The injury occured underneath a pile of Jets players, including center Kevin Mawae. Washington is expected to be out five or six weeks, according to the source, who said the injury was not in the area of the fibula fracture or ligament tear in his left foot that he sustained last September. Another sight you couldn't miss was linebacker Mike Vrabel sporting a cast and sling on his right arm. Stacey James, the Patriots director of media relations, confirmed last night that Vrabel has a broken arm. The official injury news released by the team was that guard Mike Compton and linebacker Rosevelt Colvin were placed on injured reserve, meaning they are gone for the season. Compton, one of the team's most dependable players the past three seasons, was hurt in the Week 2 win over the Eagles and has been seeking second opinions the last few days. He will likely have surgery to repair a fracture in his right foot. It's not the best of timing for Compton, who is in the final year of his contract. The Patriots also signed offensive lineman Wilbert Brown off waivers yesterday. Brown started nine of Washington's 14 games last season at guard and can back up at center. The team also added running back Patrick Pass for special teams duty. He takes Colvin's roster spot after the prized free-agent signee suffered a season-ending hip injury, also in Week 2. Cornerback Ty Law, meanwhile, was limping noticeably as he made his way to his locker and then the trainer's room. He sprained his right ankle on a sideline play Sunday, colliding with Roman Phifer and coming down hard and awkward. At first it seemed he might not get up, but he came back to play. You have to wonder whether his one-on-one battle with Washington's Laveranues Coles will come off Sunday. Other lockers were vacant because their occupants were off having medical tests at Boston-area hospitals or treatment in the trainer's room. Quarterback Tom Brady was one of the missing, tending to a right elbow that has taken a beating in the first three games. The elbow, swollen to the size of a grapefruit immediately following the Eagles game, was jammed when Brady was sacked in the second quarter against the Jets. Brady walked off the field with his arm hanging at his side, but had it worked on and returned for the next series. It's obvious that Brady is playing in some pain, though his tolerance is Groganesque. Missing, too, was receiver David Patten, who went to have an MRI. X-rays done on Patten's right knee after the game were negative, but he had the MRI to check for cartilage or ligament damage. Right tackle Adrian Klemm also suffered an undisclosed injury, which forced him out for most of the final two series. Belichick said Klemm's injury came under the category of "bumps and bruises" and that he would have to see how much practice time Klemm gets this week to determine his status for Sunday. Fullback Fred McCrary has a sprained knee that has kept him out the past two weeks. Even Willie McGinest sported a wrap on his wrist. By tomorrow, when the Patriots are first required to report their injuries with the league, the list should be long. Asked about the injury bug, linebacker Tedy Bruschi said, "Did you expect us to be in here hanging our heads? Well, we're not going to. What's happened has happened. The bottom line is, whoever is playing has got to get the job done, and that's the way we all feel. "I'm numb to it because I have to be. I can't let it affect my mentality, I can't let it affect my play. I want guys to get better and get back to it as soon as they can. When I hit the field, when I hit the practice field or the locker room or in the meeting room, you can't think about it because I can't let it affect my preparation." One byproduct of all the injuries is special teams adjustments. It seems Bruschi rarely gets a breather, something that could make him more susceptible to injury. Special teamers Matt Chatham and Don Davis will likely get more playing time at linebacker, which affects their special teams play. Law probably won't practice much this week. The Patriots certainly liked what they saw from rookie Asante Samuel, who returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown against the Jets, but asking him to shadow Coles might be too much. It appears the Patriots will stay with rookie Dan Koppen at center, with Damien Woody at right guard and Joe Andruzzi at left guard. Tom Ashworth will play for Klemm if he can't go. The most severe dropoff in talent could be in the middle of the defensive line and at linebacker. Belichick said he would not rule out using Richard Seymour at nose tackle on some plays. Rick Lyle did a "solid job" against the Jets, according to Belichick, but Lyle is more of an end. It may be that No. 1 draft pick Ty Warren is force-fed into playing more than the Patriots wanted. The linebacking corps is in shambles. If Vrabel can't play, would the Patriots use Chatham or go with more of a 4-3 alignment? That is something Belichick said he and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel would huddle on this week. © Copyright 2003 Globe Newspaper Company.
Injuries could go down to wire; Thursday notes
Not
surprisingly, injuries remained a focal point of the action at Gillette Stadium
Thursday. Not only could the team be without a number of starters at FedExField
Sunday against the Redskins, but the game preparation and how the team's overall
depth will be handled may also be a key to New England's success in coming
weeks. Those management decisions will come into play on the field Sunday as
well. Some guys like linebackers Matt Chatham or Don Davis could see more
defensive action opposed to solely special teams work, while others like Tedy
Bruschi may be monitored more closely in the kicking game. As much as Bruschi
has been a solid contributor on special teams, New England can ill afford to
lose another linebacker to injury, especially in the kicking game.
Is help on the way?Hurting Patriots need a quick fixFOXBOROUGH -- The sight of former Columbia halfback Robert Kraft walking through the Patriots locker room wearing a "Targeting September" T-shirt gave way to a humorous moment: This team is hurting. Kraft was headed for the treadmill, not the practice field, but a few moments earlier, coach Bill Belichick acknowledged at his daily press conference that if the Patriots had to play yesterday, they would not have been able to field a 45-man roster. Belichick said the Patriots have practiced without pads this week. They've gone through game preparation with their second-tier players, some of whom may never see the light of day in Sunday's game at Washington. Another key player going down might force Kraft to the scout team. Team spokesman Stacey James was even asked if he was going to suit up at practice. Yesterday, the growing injury list included tight end Fred Baxter, a special teams standout, who is questionable with a leg injury. But David Patten (knee) and Damien Woody (knee) appeared much better. The Patriots could have adopted a "woe is us" attitude, but that is not the case. However, letting out information that would give the perception of a dire situation -- say, to the Redskins -- might be a valuable psychological ploy by the Patriots. A prevailing theory is if the Patriots can get by without their key injured players and stay above .500, they would be in good position to make a postseason run in the last six or seven games of the season. The theory is this: Younger players will get more experience, which should help later in the season when they'll be asked to provide depth. It also allows backup players plenty of playing time. That is the most positive scenario that could take place. The worst is that the Patriots are simply too banged up to compete. "I don't think the team is focusing on who's out or who's not practicing," said veteran defensive end Anthony Pleasant. "We have to go out there and play with the guys we have. Two years ago, key guys were hurt and we still won. "It's an opportunity to see what guys can do. By playing and gaining experience, you will get better. Well, let me put it this way, you're either going to get better or you're going to get worse. Guys backing up get opportunities to show their skills. You might be surprised. Sometimes you have hidden talent that's not on display because it's on the back burner." Tedy Bruschi has no idea what the perception of the Patriots is right now, and he really doesn't care. "We see this differently," he said. "Whoever is out there needs to get the job done. We've got two in a row and now just keep racking them up and then worry about the next week. I think the guys who will be playing are good players already. [Linebacker] Don Davis has been a starter for teams before. This is an opportunity for Matt [Chatham] to show some things he can do. He's been a quality special teams player. Larry [Izzo] has been around, too." Though the Patriots are relatively healthy on the defensive line -- except for Ted Washington (fractured left leg), who is out indefinitely -- one young player who could get more time is No. 1 draft pick Ty Warren. Through three games, Warren has not been a factor, but if the Patriots play a 4-3 defense because of the injuries to their linebackers, Warren could be thrown into the fire. "I feel like I've been getting better every day," Warren said. "I'm on track to get where I want to get. I'm taking advice from some of the leaders like Richard Seymour and Tedy Bruschi. I'm not saying I'm at the top of my game, but I stay confident. I'm not not going to make decisions, I'm a rookie. When the coach feels I can contribute, I'm ready for it." Warren said a possible scheme change to the 4-3 would not be disruptive because he went through it at Texas A&M. He said although the defense is complicated, the biggest difference is the number of plays the Patriots run. The injury to Mike Compton, who is on injured reserve with a broken right foot, has been understated because teammates consider him the true leader of the offensive line. Yet, it has opened up an opportunity for fifth-round draft pick Dan Koppen, the former Boston College player who is the starter at center with Woody moving to right guard. "All along I've just come in and done what the coaches have told me to do," said Koppen. "I've walked into a good situation right now and so far things are going good. We have a philosophy here that if one guy goes down, then another goes in and he's going to play as hard as the starter. Playing next to these guys, they're all good. Everybody's good in this league." If cornerback Ty Law (sprained right ankle) can't play, fourth-round pick Asante Samuel gets to cover the top receiver. And there'll be opportunities for guys such as fourth-round pick Dan Klecko. There will be an acceleration period for the younger guys. This might be good. This could also be bad, but at least it'll keep Kraft off the practice field.
Notes from Redskins game 9/28/03 Added Tedy Bruschi [news]: ``You're asking me to settle and I won't. I won't settle when we lose, and I feel like we should have won, period. I'm not going to make any excuses and settle for any loss. We should have won that game.''
http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/patriots.bg?articleid=2 The Pats got a
huge injury scare in the first quarter when linebacker
Tedy Bruschi [news]
went down following a hard tackle of Ladell Betts. Bruschi lay motionless for
several moments before running off the field. He returned for the next series.
``No matter what the situation is, when you go down, get up,'' Bruschi said. ``The wife is watching and you don't want to worry her too much.'' http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/patriots.bg?articleid=6
LINEBACKERS - B Tedy Bruschi [news] continues to wrack up quality games, leading the team with seven tackles and deflecting a pass. With all the injuries to those around him, he's hung in there and stepped up his game. http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/patriots.bg?articleid=19
When the Patriots were in the traditional 4-3 formation, middle linebacker Tedy Bruschi [news] plugged the rushing lanes while Willie McGinest filled Colvin's role as the perimeter pass rusher. Roman Phifer started at outside linebacker with Larry Izzo, Matt Chatham and Don Davis also seeing time. ``I look at the linebacker group and I see guys like Larry Izzo coming in there, I see guys like Matt Chatham coming in there,'' Bruschi said. ``I went down early in the game myself and came back in the next series. ``When Larry Izzo came in we didn't miss a beat. Don Davis did a great job for us. These guys are great football players and when they are in there they are expected to do well, and they expect that of themselves as well.'' http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/patriots.bg?articleid=20
10/01/03
Tedy Bruschi [news]
has also been active in place of Johnson at the ``mike'' position. Bruschi
may currently be the most indispensable member of the defense.
'Go, Sox,' says Bruschi Linebacker Tedy Bruschi was born in San Francisco and attended the University of Arizona, but he insists he's not a West Coast baseball fan. Not this week, anyways. "Red Sox all the way," he said. "They're on a roll and I hope they ride it. It's Sox fever around here and I'm fired up for them." Asked to judge the Sox ability to celebrate after clinching the wild card last week, Bruschi said, "that was great. I saw them party the other night and I'd say just continue the party."
http://www.projo.com/patriots/content/projo_20030930_30patsjo.69471.html
Thursday's notes
Key
fundamentals
“The one thing defensive players have to do is tackle well,” Bruschi said.
“We missed a few tackles last week in Washington and they were able to break big
plays on them. So fundamentally speaking in terms of defense, number one is
tackling.” http://flash.patriots.com/news/fullarticle.sps?id=25573&type=general
This week's NOTES AND QUOTES: Tedy on Ty Law Like Harrison, linebacker Tedy Bruschi [news] viewed Law's grittiness as a symbol of the mentality of the entire team.
``That's what this team is about,'' Bruschi said. ``From quarterback to kicker this is a tough team that grinds it out. We're missing guys and some of the guys on the field are dinged. Look at what Ty did. He was out for most of the game but came back in to make the play of the game. ``You could tell he was hurting, but when it came time to make a play, he forgot he was hurt. It looked like he was limping as he scored the touchdown, but that's the kind of thing that typifies the attitude of this team.'' http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/patriots.bg?articleid=40
Tedy on the Sox: “I’m looking at the scoreboard too,” linebacker Tedy Bruschi said. “There’s a home run. There’s a double. OK, we’re up 5-4. We won the game. Great, good job. OK, here’s the defense. I’m glad the fans got fired up. I think they had fun with it.”
Patriots Report Card/By Kevin Mannix Tuesday, October 7, 2003 LINEBACKERS - B Tedy Bruschi [news] continues to fill the gaps left by departing linebackers as he makes plays from various positions on the defense. He had 10 tackles as well as a deflection. http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/patriots.bg?articleid=47
Cloud ninePatriots take great joy in belting Tennessee
New England still has its ongoing battle with the injury bug, and in the coming weeks, the Giants, Dolphins, Browns, and Broncos will try to get a few licks in while the Patriots are vulnerable. That they are, but they're anything but pushovers. "We have heart in here," linebacker Tedy Bruschi said. "We're going to play tough. No matter who's in there, they're going to get the job done. That's what I've been saying the last few weeks. To you guys, I'm sure it's just something where I'm trying to keep the faith. But it's what I believe. We're a tough team." http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2003/10/06/cloud_nine/
Rookie Klecko Proves Worth to Pats (AP) 10/6/03
FOXBORO, Mass. - The New England Patriots (news) are quickly discovering how versatile rookie Dan Klecko is.
In Sunday's 38-30 win over Tennessee, Klecko played nose tackle, defensive tackle in a 4-3 alignment, outside linebacker and even saw time as a blocking fullback in goal-line situations, clearing the way for rushing touchdowns by Antowain Smith (news) and Mike Cloud (news).
"I'm just willing to take whatever comes," the fourth-round draft choice from Temple said Monday. "I feel that's how I'm going to get on the field, by doing anything they ask."
Klecko is proving so versatile, in fact, it's becoming increasingly tough to list his position on the team's roster. Drafted as a nose tackle, Klecko has evolved into a play-anywhere option for the injury-ravaged Patriots.
"I was just happy to be out there, especially after the first two weeks of not suiting up or anything," Klecko said. "Every minute I have out there now is a blessing, and I realize that."
Klecko has a great pedigree — he's the son of former New York Jets (news) nose tackle Joe Klecko, a four-time Pro Bowler. The younger Klecko said his father has been very helpful as he continues to search for a niche on the team.
He also came to the Patriots with a good reputation. Klecko was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, recording 68 tackles with 10 sacks.
The one knock against Klecko is his size. The 5-foot-11, 283-pounder had the Patriots coaching staff wondering what role to use him in after they drafted him. But coach Bill Belichick said it was a familiar quandary for the Patriots, likening Klecko's situation to that of inside linebacker Tedy Bruschi (news), who was considered undersized in his rookie season in 1996.
"He was a good football player, but we didn't know exactly what to do with him and he obviously has created a good role for himself and has had a great career," Belichick said of Bruschi. "Whether that will or won't happen with Dan, I don't know, but that would be a good comparison there."
Bruschi, currently tied with safety Rodney Harrison (news) for the team lead in tackles with 36, said he tells Klecko the same things he learned when he came out of Arizona.
"Study," Bruschi said. "The one thing that players who have to learn multiple positions have to be is smart. On one series, you could be at one position, then at another position on the very next down."
Klecko, who has six tackles, a sack and a blocked field goal so far, appreciates the Bruschi's help.
"I go to ask him what he reads, and what specific things he looks at," Klecko said. "I try to take the things he knows, because it would be pretty dumb of me not to go ask him questions.
"He's one of the best middle linebackers in the league now and I'm trying to get there by learning through him."
10/13/03 This week's Notes and Quotes: Patriots 17, Giants 6 Linebacker Tedy Bruschi [news] (16 tackles) looked like he could have suffered a serious lower leg injury in the fourth quarter when he was bent over his left knee, but he only ended up missing a few snaps. (WHEW!)On Matt Chatham: Veteran Pats linebacker Tedy Bruschi [news] viewed the play as much more than Chatham being in the right place at the right time. ``Matt Chatham made a great play. It's amazing that he was able to keep his feet under him,'' Bruschi said. ``Matt Chatham, let's take some time and talk about him and what a great job he's done. He's the type of guy who you don't hear about much, but put him in the game and he makes the plays.'' BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Chatham off to great start
On Dan Klecko: Klecko's situation
reminds Belichick of another gifted player who, because of his dimensions, had
to elbow his way into the lineup: Tedy Bruschi. ``I think Bruschi was a lot like
that in his rookie year in '96,'' said the coach. ``Bruschi was a good football
player, but we didn't know exactly what to do with him. Obviously, he's created
a good role for himself and has had a great career. Whether that will or won't
happen with Dan, I don't know.'' Asked if he saw
similarities between Klecko's present circumstances and those of his own early
career, Bruschi replied ``Yeah, I do. ``He's a
different body type than I am, but he does remind me of the situation I was in
in terms of them just trying to find something for me to do,'' said Bruschi.
``When I came in, I wasn't a linebacker right away, and I wasn't a defensive end
right away, so they threw me in on third down and threw me in on special teams
to see what I could do.'' Of course,
Bruschi never got to line up at fullback. ``Yeah,'' said Bruschi. ``But Dan's got a little more beef than me.'' BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Three-way threat: Klecko tackling every role he's asked to play
Linebacker
Roman Phifer had a monster game with 19 total tackles while Tedy Bruschi
finished with a career-high 16, bailing out a sluggish offense that had just
one touchdown and 29 totals yards at halftime. The lone bright spot was running
back Michael Cloud’s one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that gave the
Patriots an insurmountable 17-3 lead.
Patriots' drive a Giants killer By Glen Farley, Enterprise staff writer FOXBORO — Linebacker Tedy Bruschi has a term to describe the New England Patriots' mode of operation this year. "We're just motoring along," says Bruschi. ......
That term sure fit yesterday. The one thing that was emphasized this week was hustling to the ball," said Bruschi. "Guys like Tiki Barber (22 carries for 71 yards) and Jeremy Shockey (eight receptions, 80 yards), once they get the ball, they can do things with it. If you've got guys hustling, if the first guy misses, then the second and third guys can (make the tackle), and maybe they pop the ball loose." The Enterprise at SouthofBoston.com
"We leave all the adjectives to you guys," said linebacker Tedy Bruschi, when asked what word he'd use to describe his team. "When guys go down, we don't hang our heads. We expect whoever is in there to do the job." Projo.com | Providence | Patriots
Steve Grogan on Tedy: RRM: I think everyone watching the game breathed a collective sigh of relief when Tedy Bruschi returned to action after landing in a heap and left the game in the second half. Why do you think he's so popular with the fans? SG: Tedy Bruschi has become one of the indispensable players on the Patriots and with all the players they have out with injuries right now they couldn't afford to lose him, especially if Belichick wants to keep playing the 3-4 defense because they are so short on linebackers right now. Bruschi was involved on 16 tackles in this game. He's become a fan favorite because he's the kind of player who wasn't supposed to succeed in the NFL. He wasn't big enough to play middle linebacker but he's proven he's a football player. He plays hard and gives 110% on every play, and I think the fans enjoy watching a guy who plays like that. He's also one of the few guys | ||||||||
