Freitag, Oktober 30, 2009

NFL: Raiders reisen zum Jubiläumsduell nach San Diego

Spieltag8: Oakland Raiders @ San Diego Chargers
DATUM: Sonntag, 1. November 2009, 13:05 Uhr pazifischer Zeit (22:05 Uhr MEZ) | ORT: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Kalifornien.

DIESE WOCHE: Die Oakland Raiders und die San Diego Chargers, Teams der American Football Conference Western Division, stehen sich zum 100. Mal in einem regulären Saisonspiel gegenüber. Die “Silver and Black” spielten bereits am Eröffnungsspieltag der Saison 2009 gegen die Chargers. Anschließend folgten Begegnungen gegen die anderen beiden Divisionsrivalen.

TV: Die Begegnung wird auf CBS übertragen. Dick Enberg wird das Spiel kommentieren und der ehemalige NFL-Profi und „Hall of Famer“ Dan Fouts wird die Partie analysieren. Regional wird das Spiel auf KPIX Channel 5 zu sehen sein. In Sacramento überträgt KOVR Channel 13 die Partie, in Chico ist es KHSL, in Monterey ist es KION und KJEO in Fresno.

RADIO: Das Spiel wird im Raiders Radio auf KSFO 560 AM, dem Flaggschiff des viele Bundesstaaten umfassenden Raiders-Radionetzwerks, zu hören sein. Greg Papa und der ehemalige Raiders Spieler, Assistant und Head Coach Tom Flores kommentieren bereits im zwölften Jahr in Folge die Partien der Raiders. Beim Spielvor- und nachbericht werden die Raiders-Legenden George Atkinson und David Humm zu Gast sein, ebenso wie Rich Walcoff von KGO-Radio.

RAIDERS-CHARGERS BILANZ: Am Sonntag treffen die beiden Rivalen zum 100. Mal seit 1960 in einem regulären Saisonspiel aufeinander. Die Raiders haben 54 dieser Duelle gewonnen. San Diego war 43 Mal erfolgreich. Zwei Mal trennte man sich unentschieden. Beide Teams sind Gründungsmitglieder der American Football League. In den Playoffs gewannen die Raiders das bislang einzige Aufeinandertreffen.

DAS VERGANGENE DUELL: Am 1. Spieltag der Saison 2009 unterlagen die Oakland Raiders im zweiten Teil des „Monday Night Doubleheaders“ mit 20:24 gegen die Chargers, die erst wenige Sekunden vor Schluss die Partie drehten. Rookie WR Louis Murphy fing seinen ersten Touchdown-Pass als Profi - einen 57-Yarder von QB JaMarcus Russell, der den Raiders rund zweieinhalb Minuten vor Spielende eine knappe Führung bescherte. Mit 4 gefangenen Bällen für 87 Yards gehörte Murphy zu den Leistungsträgern auf Seiten Oaklands. Zudem fing TE Zach Miller 6 Bälle für 96 Yards. Neuzugang DT Richard Seymour feierte mit 6 Tackles (3 Solo) und zwei Sacks einen Einstand nach Maß.

VERBINDUNGEN

RAIDERS: Besitzer Al Davis war von 1960-62 Assistant Coach der Chargers…WR Chaz Schilens spielte gemeinsam mit Chargers T Brandyn Dombrowski an der San Diego State…T Mario Henderson und Chargers CB Antonio Cromartie spielten zusammen für Florida State…G Robert Gallery und Chargers K Nate Kaeding waren Teamkameraden in Iowa…QB JaMarcus Russell und die Chargers WR Buster Davis und FB Jacob Hester waren zusammen an der LSU…LB Kirk Morrison und Chargers WR Kassim Osgood waren Teamkollegen an der San Diego State…LB Coach Mike Haluchak arbeitete sechs Jahre in der selben Position bei den Chargers (1986-1991)…Passing Game Coordinator Ted Tollner arbeitete von 1989-91 als Offensive Coordinator für die Chargers…LB Sam Williams war ein Teamkamerad von Chargers QB Billy Volek an der Fresno State…LS/LB Jon Condo und Chargers LB Shawne Merriman besuchten zusammen die University of Maryland…Head Coach Tom Cable arbeitete als Graduate Assistant an der San Diego im Jahr 1989…WR Todd Watkins besuchte die Helix High School in San Diego.

CHARGERS: Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner war zwei Jahre lang Head Coach der Raiders (2004-05)…Turner stammt aus Martinez und besuchte die Alhambra High School…Defensive Line Coach Don Johnson coachte 2007-08 die Defensive Tackles der Raiders…Chargers LS David Binn kommt aus San Mateo und spielte an der Cal…Chargers WR Kassim Osgood stammt aus Salinas und besuchte die North Salinas High School…WR Malcolm Floyd kommt aus Sacramento und ging an die River City High School.

VERGANGENE WOCHE: Die Oakland Raiders unterlagen im Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum mit 0:38 gegen die New York Jets.

NÄCHSTE WOCHE: Nach dem Gastspiel in San Diego gehen die Oakland Raiders in ihre wohlverdiente spielfreie Woche. Erst am Sonntag, den 8. November bestreiten sie ihr nächstes Spiel. Dann empfangen sie im Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum die Kansas City Chiefs. Kickoff ist um 13:05 Uhr Ortszeit (22:05 Uhr MEZ). Foto: Scott Clarke / ESPN

Playoff Time für SWARCO Raiders Nachwuchs

Kommendes Wochenende bestreiten die SWARCO Raiders Schüler, Jugend und Junioren ihr alles entscheidende Playoff Spiel. Während die Schüler (vs Danube Dragons) und die Jugend (vs Turek Graz Giants) am Samstag Heimrecht genießen, müssen die Junioren am Sonntag die weite Reise zu den Raiffeisen Vikings antreten.

Sehr erfolgreiche Grunddurchgangsbilanz
Die Nachwuchsteams der SWARCO Raiders Tirol können auf eine ansehnliche Bilanz des bereits abgeschlossenen Grunddurchgangs zurückblicken: Von 16 gespielten Meisterschaftsspielen konnten 13 Siege bei nur 3 Niederlagen mit einem Gesamtscore von 640:302 erspielt werden. Die SWARCO Raiders Minis (3-1), Jugend (4-0) und Junioren (4-0) führen jeweils ihre Tabellen an, die SWARCO Raiders Schüler (2-2) finden sich auf dem zweiten Tabellenrang wieder.

SWARCO Raiders Schüler vs Danube Dragons, Sa 31.Oktober 13.30 Uhr - Wiesengasse B
Die SWARCO Raiders Schüler treffen am Samstag bereits zum dritten Mal in der bisherigen Meisterschaft auf die Danube Dragons. Die beiden ersten Aufeinandertreffen konnten die SWARCO Raiders Schüler mit 36:20 und 52:12 jeweils für sich entscheiden. Playoffs haben jedoch oft eigene Gesetze und Schüler Head Coach Christian Bisjak ist gewarnt: „Die Dragons haben uns im letzten Spiel speziell in der ersten Halbzeit gezeigt, dass sie nicht zu unterschätzen sind. Wenn wir dieses Spiel auf die leichte Schulter nehmen, werden wir am Samstag unser blaues Wunder erleben.“

SWARCO Raiders Jugend vs Turek Graz Giants, Sa 31.Oktober 13.30 Uhr – Wiesengasse B
Im Anschluss an das Schüler Playoff bekommt es dann die SWARCO Raiders Jugend mit den Turek Graz Giants zu tun. Die Grazer befinden sich etwas unglücklich auf dem vierten Tabellenrang, mussten sie doch sowohl gegen die Raiffeisen Vikings als auch gegen die Danube Dragons sehr knappe Niederlagen hinnehmen, was sie zu einem äußert gefährlichen Gegner für die SWARCO Raiders Jugend macht. Die Innsbrucker Jugend führt die Tabelle als einzig ungeschlagenes Team an, die Grazer konnten auswärts nach einem 30:30 Halbzeitstand noch deutlich mit 76:38 besiegt werden. Jugend Head Coach Jakob Dieplinger rechnet trotzdem mit einem sehr schweren Spiel: „Die Giants mussten im Spiel gegen uns auf 6 Starter verzichten, trotzdem konnten wir ihr gefährliches Passspiel 2 Viertel lang nicht unter Kontrolle bringen. In der zweiten Hälfte machten sie sich das Leben durch Eigenfehler selbst schwer, das Endresultat spiegelt nicht das tatsächliche Kräfteverhältnis wider. Wir werden unser bestes Spiel abliefern müssen, um in die Jugend BOWL XVI einzuziehen.“

SWARCO Raiders Junioren at Raiffeisen Vikings, So 1.November 17.00 Uhr – Wien Raveline
Es ist die Schlacht der Ungeschlagenen, die große Ungewisse, wenn am Sonntag die SWARCO Raiders Junioren gegen die Raiffeisen Vikings zum großen Showdown antreten. Ein kleiner Rückblick: Die SWARCO Raiders Junioren verloren 2008 alle Spiele und wurden in die zweite Liga abgestuft. Seither wurde sehr viel Aufwand betrieben, um die Königsklasse des SWARCO Raiders Nachwuchses wieder ganz nach oben zu bringen. Die SWARCO Raiders Junioren blieben in der zweiten Liga ungeschlagen und bewiesen mit einem Gesamtscore von 215:27, dass sie sich für heuer zu Recht höhere Ziele gesteckt haben. Der Liga-Modus sieht vor, dass der Sieger der zweiten Liga in das Playoff der ersten Liga einsteigen darf, allerdings gleich gegen den Tabellenführer und noch dazu auswärts. Deshalb reisen die SWARCO Raiders Junioren am Sonntag zum Titelverteidiger aus Wien, die Raiffeisen Vikings, die in der ersten Liga ebenfalls ungeschlagen blieben und mit einem Gesamtscore von 111:8 überzeugen konnten. Junioren Head Coach Santos Carrillo zum bevorstehenden Gegner: „Die Vikings verfügen über eine ausgezeichnete Junioren Mannschaft. Ihre Defense scheint mit 8 zugelassenen Punkten in 4 Spielen fast unbezwingbar zu sein. Wir wissen nicht wirklich, wie gut wir tatsächlich sind, deshalb ist es sehr schwer eine Prognose abzugeben. Ich rechne auf jeden Fall mit einem sehr schnellen, körperlich betonten Spiel auf hohem Niveau.“

Mittwoch, Oktober 21, 2009

PATRIOTS QUARTERBACK TOM BRADY

PRESS CONFERENCE

Oct. 21, 2009

Q: Speaking of routine, how different will this week be in terms of time and in preparation?

TB: Well, were leaving tomorrow, after practice. We came in yesterday and spent quite a bit of time on [the Buccaneers]. Its certainly not a normal week for us, but I think its important for us players to realize that this is a trip for us that were trying to go over there and win a game, nothing more than that. Its like any other road trip that we take, its not for going out and seeing the sights, or anything like that; its for one reason and we need a really focused group. And we certainly need to bring our energy and excitement, and try to go out there and play a great game.

Q: How much confidence do you have in Terrence Nunn, if hes active, and your other receivers?

TB: I have confidence in all of our receivers. If youre on the roster and you have an opportunity to play, I have confidence. All of those guys have worked very hard, certainly with Wes [Welker] and Randy [Moss]; I dont have to worry about much with them. But Brandon [Tate] is going to be out there, hopefully, and Terrence [Nunn] is going to be out there, hopefully, this week, to see how they can go out there and perform. And hopefully they can go and do a good job.

Q: Coach Belichick said that he had a meeting with the team yesterday to go over some of the non-football preparations for the trip. Was there anything that you took away from that that made you say, I better make sure that Im aware of that?

TB: Well, he gave us all the places to stay away from. I dont know if that makes us want to go there more, or should we stay away? I think he just reiterated what he needs from us and what he wants out of us. Its a pretty unique experience for all us theres no doubt about that and playing in a great stadium like that [Wembley Stadium]. But I think the trip will be memorable if we win, if we lose, I guess it will be memorable for a different reason from what wed want it to be memorable for.

Q: How important was it for you in your last game to show people that you were back from injury?

TB: Well, I dont know if Id approach it like that, or look at it like that. I think its a long season and weve played in some games where weve executed well, weve played some games that we havent executed so well. Im happy that I was able to hit the guys that were open, I know that. That gives me a lot of confidence going into this week. I think thats what I have to continue to do, and thats what my role is. Thereve been some other games where I havent been able to do that and its really been frustrating for me. Each week, it seems like the preparation is a little bit better and the execution seems to be a little bit better, too.

Q: Youre playing a winless team for the second week in-a-row. What do you think about the Buccaneers?

TB: I mean, obviously, every team has its strengths and weaknesses, and every team is dangerous in its own way. This team has a lot of youth, but it has some playmakers on defense, especially in the secondary. We went through a lot of the stuff this morning and they can make a lot of plays. Similar to us, its just the consistency of it. Were expecting them to play their best game theres no reason why they wouldnt so were going to have to go out and do the same.

Q: You said last week that Coach Belichick was on you constantly about not making passes of 40-or-more yards. How good did it feel to come in this week and be able to say to the coaches that youd done that?

TB: It felt good. We mentioned it to him in about the third quarter of last game. We got a couple for him. And those were big plays in the game; the one to Wes [Welker] down the left sideline was a big play. When you can hit those plays and change field position like that, as well as being able to run it and have that ball-control offense that makes it tough. You have to able to expand the field vertically, and thats something that we didnt do very well in the first five weeks of the season. We did a lot better job of it this last weekend.

Q: Forget about the doubters, you hold yourself to a high standard. Did you say to yourself during last weeks game that you finally hit those high expectations and hit the level of play that you expect to play at every week?

TB: Well, as a quarterback, you want to play well every week. If you dont, when you dont hit the passes that are there, or your team loses games, or your team doesnt get into the end zone, its very frustrating. Youve got to find ways to do a better job of that. It started last week in practice, we had a much better week and it really carried over to the game. Coach put the pressure on us last week, hes kept the pressure on us this week. Hopefully, we go out and respond well.

Q: You had a conference call with the London media yesterday morning. Does that take care of your responsibilities or do you expect a little bit of hounding over there?

TB: That pretty much does it, I think. I dont think theres much to do when we get over, except for the TV meeting, the production meeting. So I dont think theres any more of those.

Q: Theres one day when four players go in. I assume youre not one of those four players?

TB: I dont think so. They havent told me. Do you want to lobby for me? I have enough to do.

Q: I saw that you were over there in London after Super Bowl XL from “Family Guy”?

TB: Oh, yeah. I was saying, I dont think I remember that trip. No, I love that show. Anyone that hasnt seen it, its one that you have to buy the DVD set for. Its great.

Q: Is your wife going over there?

TB: No, its a business trip.

Q: Does she go over there enough that …

TB: No, not really, not so often.

Q: Have you met any members of the Royal Family before?

TB: [Laughs] No, not on this trip. Ive paid my admission to go see the Crown Jewels, I know that.

Q: Youve met the Pope, but not the Queen?

TB: Yeah, not the Queen.

Q: Coach Belichick said yesterday that this is a big trip, but that its not like a Super Bowl, or a special trip like that. What are your feelings and is there analogous to it?

TB: I didnt part last year in the West Coast trips, but I know that when we were out there for the week, we put together a weeklong itinerary. And its just a very different environment for us, kind of like a Bowl trip in college, where youre there for an extended period of time and you kind of have to get in the same routine in a different location. Thats what your body is really used to. Thats what were really kind of trying to do, Friday is going to be like a Friday, Saturday is going to be like a Saturday, game day is going to be like game day. Really, its just going over there and getting acclimated to the time change, which Im sure its all mental, you just have to get over it, and move on and go out there and play well.

Q: What are your thoughts on the redeye trip?

TB: Its just kind of the way it turns out. You could go over there all week, I know some teams have gone out there and stayed all week. I dont think any of us really wanted to do that, we kind of wanted to be here, and get our work done, and get the game plan in, and then go out there and like I said get adjusted to it. We have a couple of days to get adjusted. Its a late game on Sunday, so well have our time to get our rest.

Q: Do you sleep well on planes?

TB: Yeah, most the guys will sleep. You kind of need to get as much as you can. I think everybody will get a little bit of rest when we get over there in the morning, then we have to go out to practice.

Q: What do you think about having the Bye Week after the game?

TB: I really havent thought it much. You know, I really havent. I think weve just been focused on this game, thats what its all about, right here.

Q: On playing on the field at Wembley Stadium, does it take a while for you as a quarterback to get a feel for the footing?

TB: It should be OK. Every field that we play on is different. You have to adjust from our practice field, to our game field, to the road stadium. Its not too much of a problem.

Q: Do you have confidence leading into game day with who your receivers are going to be, following Welker and Moss? Or will that be something that will be established on game day?

TB: Thats what you have to do, by the time game day comes, you have to confident in every play thats out there, with every player thats out there. With Wes and Randy, weve played so many games together and made so many throws, like I said, theres not much to worry about with them; with the other guys, too, theyre in a position where they know what theyre doing, they know how to do it, and hopefully they can go out and do it well.

Q: How about Josh McDaniels and the Broncos going 6-0? Did you watch any of the game on Monday?

TB: I was in bed. I didnt see any of it. Good for them, but I wish they were 5-1.

Mittwoch, Oktober 14, 2009

Patriots Press Conference Transcripts 10/14

HEAD COACH BILL BELICHICK

QUARTERBACK TOM BRADY

LINEBACKER JUNIOR SEAU

HEAD COACH BILL BELICHICK

PRESS CONFERENCE

October 14, 2009

BB: OK, so we’re spending a couple days here on Tennessee. As I said Monday and also on the conference call yesterday, this is a real good football team. They’re a very experienced team, well-coached, tough, physical team. They do a great job running the ball. They do a great job defending the run. They cover kicks. [They have] good skill players, good pass rushers, a real good front, so you can see why they won a lot of games last year. They do a lot of things well. Jeff [Fisher] has done a great job down there for the 14 years he’s been there. They play very consistently. They play very well, so we know this is going to be a big challenge for us this week. Chris Johnson’s as good a back as we’re going to face all year, as good a back as I’ve seen in awhile. He’s really impressive, so is everybody else. They have a lot of good players – receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen, outstanding kicker, defensive front, linebackers, good safeties, so they have a lot of good players.

Q: There was a coach around here sometime back that used to say you are what your record says you are. They are 0-5, why should I believe that 0-5 is not accurate to what they are right now?

BB: Well, I’m not speaking about what their record is. I’m just saying get ready for their football team. They’ve got good talent, they’ve got good players, they play hard and that’s what we have to get ready for, so that’s what we’re going to do.

Q: What has been the difference this year?

BB: They lost by a field goal against Pittsburgh. [Titans] got one [blocked] there. They lost by a field goal against the Texans. It’s 14-9 against Indianapolis with a minute to go at half. They’re playing without some of their best players. They lost a tight game against the Jets, fumbled a couple punts. A couple plays here and there like we’ve all seen. Everybody’s been down that road before, but they’re tough, they do a lot of things well. They’re going to win their share of games, don’t worry.

Q: Can you comment on the signing and arrival of Junior Seau, what he might be able to bring to this team and do you feel like the bull stomped the rust off of him?

BB: That was certainly an exciting play that Junior was involved in there, but it’s good to have Junior back. He brings a lot of energy, experience and toughness to our team. We’ve been kind of talking about this for a little while, but worked it out here in the last day or two. He’s here today and we’re glad to have him. We’ll just take it day to day. I don’t know exactly how things will work this week, next week or any other week as far as game plans, utilization of our defensive personnel and so forth. I’m sure he’ll contribute for us and it’s good to have him.

Q: What was the impetus of bringing him back? Obviously he’s in great shape, but at what point did you feel you could incorporate him into your defense?

BB: It’s something we talked about for quite a while. I don’t think Junior was going to be in training camp, so once that time passed then it was kind of on to the next discussion.

Q: How important is his leadership to a relatively young group of linebackers?

BB: Junior has a great approach to football. He has got a lot of energy. He has a lot of enthusiasm for the game. I don’t think I have coached too many players – I’m not saying they’re not passionate – but I haven’t coached too many that are any more passionate than Junior is. So I think that’s good for all of us. It’s good for him, it’s good for all the players, it’s good for the coaches [and] it’s good for the team. He brings a lot of positive energy and toughness, so those things are all good. I think there’re a lot of guys that have that, too, on our team. It’s not like we don’t have anybody, but he brings it and you can always use another one and he definitely does that.

Q: How uncommon is it to see someone 40-years old still have those physical skills to play in this league?

BB: It’s pretty rare. He’s a pretty special guy. I think we all know that. Physically – his make-up, his instincts – he’s just a football player and a real good one. He’s a Hall of Fame guy and not too many of those come down the pike.

Q: We’ve seen this year what 40-year old Brett Favre can do, but do you think what Junior could be able to contribute is more special because of what is asked of a defensive player, especially in this system?

BB: I’m not going to make any predictions or try to rank anything. We’re glad to have him. We’ll get him out on the practice field today and just go from there, take it day-to-day.

Q: Is he going to play a strong side, inside?

BB: Well, Junior’s a pretty versatile guy. He’s played inside for us on both the strong and weak side. He’s played in our sub defenses. He’s actually played outside. He’s a pretty versatile guy depending on the scheme and what we have called. I’m sure that he’ll work at a lot of different spots like he usually does.

Q: Where do you anticipate him playing most?

BB: We’ll have to wait and see.

Q: Is there a certain area where you think he can help you the most, whether it’s stopping the run or improving your pass rush?

BB: I think he’ll do the best he can at whatever we ask him to do.

Q: With the injuries the Titans have had in their secondary, what does that mean for your passing game?

BB: Well, I know [Cortland] Finnegan didn’t play the last two weeks, but he’s an outstanding player. We played against him back in ‘06. Seeing him through the years, great speed, quickness, good ball hawker, very good cover skills – both man and zone. He’s a very instinctive player, so we certainly have to be ready for him. The two rookies – [Ryan] Mouton and [Jason] McCourty – both fast guys. They’ve done a good job when they’ve been in there, so they have pretty…Those guys have gotten some experience. They’ve got very experienced safeties, of course, with [Michael] Griffin and [Chris] Hope back there, a real good front. They have a couple of young guys playing back there, but I think they’ve held up well and they’re getting better. They both can run. McCourty’s a good tackler, a physical guy. Both of those guys have shown up in the kicking game, so I’m sure they have confidence in them and they should.

Q: From watching them on tape do you think they’ve missed Albert Haynesworth’s presence?

BB: Their front’s pretty good – nobody’s really run the ball on them. They’ve knocked the passer down a lot. A guy like that of course…they’re pretty good in there and it doesn’t really matter who they put in there. They rotate all those guys through and they’re all pretty good. They put a lot of pressure in the pocket. They put a lot of pressure on the running game. Nobody’s really run the ball against them.

Q: You’ve had a number of rookies on both sides of the ball contribute both this year and last, are there similarities between all those rookies?

BB: I think they do work hard, similar to last year’s group. I think they do work hard – football’s important to them. They’re here early, they stay late, they work on the field, they’re attentive and I think they’re getting better. They’ve been out there on the field consistently and when you’re out there day after day, you’re paying attention and you’re working hard, it’s hard not to improve and they’ve done that. They still have a long way to go, but as a group I think they’re heading in the right direction. They’ve gone at different rates; some guys have started faster, level off and start to climb again [and] other guys started slower and they’re starting to crest a little bit now. We’ll see how it goes. Each week’s its own challenge for all of us – coaches, players, rookies, veterans. [We need to] keep improving and keep doing a better job of what we’re doing and that certainly includes them. We’re not looking for anybody to level off. We want everybody to stay on that upswing, whether it’s a 10-year veteran or a rookie, but especially for the young guys. There are a lot of things they need to work on and they need to keep doing that, stay with it and stay the course.

Q: You said a lot of nice things about the Titans despite the fact they are 0-5. Do you think there might be a tendency of some players to take the game a little too easily? What do you as a coach to…

BB: I would just turn on the projector. That’s all I would do is just turn on the projector. I think anybody that would say that about the Titans obviously hasn’t seen them play. I don’t know how you could watch them on film and possibly think that unless you were sleeping while the film was rolling. I don’t know how you could possibly think that.

Q: I know your focus is on the Titans this week, but I was hoping to get a few words about your trip to London. Are you looking forward to it at all?

BB: Yeah we are. Obviously, right now it’s on the back burner, but when it comes it’s a great opportunity for all of us to play in a new venue. When that game was scheduled in the spring it was very unique obviously, so there’s anticipation there. But again, at this time it’s not really something we’re thinking about, but it will come in a little while. When it does come I know there’s a little….That’s a little extra special game on your schedule that you know you don’t normally have. You have all your division games, all your other games and when you’re playing on in London, put a little asterisk by that one; that one’s a little bit different than the rest of them. When that comes that will be an interesting experience for us.

Q: How important for the NFL is it to expand beyond America?

BB: I don’t know. You would have to talk to the people in the NFL about that. I’m just trying to coach this team. I’m trying to win a game.

Q: For you, yourself personally…

BB: For me, myself personally, my most important team is the New England Patriots and I just want us to go out and win.

Q: So it’s not a distraction, really?

BB: Going to London, not a distraction?

Q: When things start to snowball during a game how difficult is it to stop it and what do you have to do to turn it around?

BB: I think when you are in games that come down to a couple plays it comes down to which teams make those plays. Honestly, most teams are in those kinds of games about every week. There might be a few that you have that aren’t like that, but for the most part we’ve played nine games – 4 preseason games, 5 regular season game – I would say every game has pretty much came down to the last possession. We’ve won some of them; we’ve lost some of them. You look at a lot of other teams…Look at the team we played last week – it’s the same thing with them. Tennessee – that’s pretty much the way it is in this league: last couple possessions, last three or four minutes in the fourth quarter. If things happen a certain way at that point in time then that affects the outcome of the game. When you get to that point or the process of getting to that point [and] you make a few more plays than your opponents do, you come out on top. If they make a few more plays than you do, they come out on top. I don’t think that’s any big secret.

Q: Last week against the Broncos you played a lot of cover three defense. What goes into a decision like that?

BB: I don’t think any defense is designed to concede deep routes. Whatever coverage you play, if they complete something you always want them to complete it in front of you, not behind you. Defenses we call in that game or any game is what we feel is the best in that situation for whatever the combination of reasons are. That’s what it will be going forward. We’ll call what we feel is best on offense, defense and special teams. I hope that we can go out there and execute those plays better than our opponents do.

Q: Do you anticipate seeing Vincent Fuller?

BB: Well I think we have to be ready for every player on the roster, if a player is on the active roster [and] there’s always the possibility that a practice player could come up as well. We do our due diligence every week and prepare for the players that are active and the ones that can potentially be active. Which ones they want to use and how they want to use them is not in our control, but we certainly have to get ready for them. That always includes the backup quarterbacks and the other skill players and other players that we think are going to be active or are active on a weekly basis that they could put in there. We definitely have to prepare for Vince and for other players. As we all know one play could lead to a substitution, so we have to be ready for all of them.

Q: In England a lot of soccer coaches have looked to the NFL coaches for tips. Is that something NFL coaches have done to soccer coaches?

BB: I can’t speak for any other coaches, but that’s something I haven’t had a lot of opportunity to do, no. I probably couldn’t name one team in the England premier national soccer league or whatever it is –federation.

Q: Have you ever eaten fish and chips?

BB: Yeah, sure absolutely. I’ve been to London a couple times. It’s great.

Q: At Wembley there is a pitch and in the last couple of years it cuts up and it’s not conducive to the NFL. Is that something you’re aware of?

BB: That is the kind of thing we’ll talk about next week. Right now our focus is on the Titans. No disrespect to you guys, I know you are here trying to do your job, but we’re trying to do ours. Next week we’ll take into consideration all the things that are a little bit different, whether it be the venue, the field, the preparation, the time, all that stuff – absolutely. That’s all part of the planning and schedule leading up to the game and those are important elements to play the game, but that’s not something we’re doing right this second. But it’s all part of the preparation.

PATRIOTS QUARTERBACK TOM BRADY

PRESS CONFERENCE

Oct. 14, 2009

Q: [On consistency in the offense]

TB: Well, weve all got to play better. I think as a whole weve done it in spurts at times and at other times we havent. When you play like that, theres a reason why you end up at 3-2 at this time, and were trying to make these improvements. The team has worked hard and I think everybodys excited to get back on the practice field today.

Q: Have you been happy with the contributions that have come in the passing game from people not named Randy Moss or Wes Welker?

TB: Well, youre always trying to find ways to get the ball to your best players. When youre in there, you do try to get Randy [Moss] and Wes [Welker] the ball, and the other guys play the role that they have. Theyve been productive at times, I mean, Joey [Galloway] has, and Sam [Aiken] has, and Julian [Edelman] has, and theyre good players. Its just about finding ways to get them the ball, when its not going to those two other guys. Youve got to get everybody involved. The more productive plays you have and [the more productive] players you have, the more the defense cant really focus on those two particular guys.

Q: As a golfer, you know that if you dont play a lot, the short game is the first thing to go and the last thing to get back. As a quarterback, when you dont play for a while, is the long pass the first thing to go and the last thing to get back?

TB: Im not sure. I mean, youre right, we havent hit them this year. Coach hammered into us today that we havent had a pass over 40 yards yet this year in five games. Its something that Ive got to do a better job of. Theres only one way to do it and thats to go out there and work on it. Youve got to hit them, thats why you play quarterback. Youve got to go out and the complete the balls that are there when we have opportunities down the field; you dont get them often and when you get them you have to really take advantage of them.

Q: [On working on the long pass in practice]

TB: We hit them in practice … In practice, everyone looks pretty good all the time. You drop the cards against the best look and the scout team is in the most favorable position for the offense. Its really a matter of how it comes down on game day and the level of execution. Like I said, Ive got to do a better job of hitting those deep ones.

Q: On that pass to Wes Welker, it looked like he had a clear path to the end zone. How frustrating is that?

TB: I talked about that after the game. I kind of said everything I needed to say on that and Im focused on Tennessee. Weve got to hit the passes that are there against Tennessee. Weve got to go out and play well. You cant miss opportunities against this team. Its a very tough game and to have opportunities out there that you dont make you dont give yourself a very good opportunity to win.

Q: Talk about what it means to have Junior Seau back.

TB: You know, I was in there lifting weights. I walked in at 6:45, and he was already in there in like a full sweat. He hasnt changed at all. He brings a lot of energy to the team and excitement. Attitude is everything with Junior. Hes a great professional and he shows great leadership. And hes a playmaker. Hes a guy that, theres only one of him. Theres only one of him thats ever played and Im glad hes back on the team.

Q: Youve said that youd like to play until youre around 40. If you could talk about Juniors physical skills and what it takes to play this game at that age.

TB: He looks great when you see him. He looks like hes 25. He works out really hard. He has incredible mental toughness, I think if theres one thing that Ive learned from him over the years. I remember when he broke his arm a few years ago in the Chicago game. He ran off holding it. He got on a plane that night and went surfing like two days later. Thats how he lives his life. Hes just a very excitable player. Like I said, theres very few people that you can bring into the locker room at this stage that bring that type of leadership and experience that he has, and that can also still play very well, but he certainly can do that.

Q: Can you talk about your protection, potentially playing without Matt Light against this Tennessee defense?

TB: Its a great front. They really have … The front seven is very aggressive. Theyre all up-field, they get to the quarterback. They really do a great job of attacking from different angles. When I watched the Colts game, the first half of that game, they were really getting after Peyton [Manning]. It seems like the four starters in there, but everybody they kind of roll through there that plays, theyre all of kind of the same theyre not the same but theyre kind of the same guy. They just get after the passer. Thats definitely something that you see consistently from that team. Theyve done that for a long time since Coach [Jeff] Fishers been there; hes had really the same kind of defensive style and thats get up the field and get after the quarterback, force him into making quick throws and poor judgments. They had a lot of interceptions last year, which hopefully well try not to throw to them this week.

Q: How impressed were you with how Peyton Manning handled their defense last week? They have a lot of looks, but it seems like they mostly only came at you with four players.

TB: They blitz about 20 percent of the time, so youre right. Its not a ton. But there are teams that certainly blitz 50 percent of the time, like Denver did, the Jets did, Baltimore did. A lot of teams are heavy blitzers. Its just different philosophy, and what they do, they do very well. Peytons always in control back there. Hes a great player and he played a great game against them. Thats what you need from the quarterback position because if you make mistakes, they really take advantage of the opportunities.

Q: Have you gotten to see the clip of Junior Seau and the bull?

TB: I think all of us have seen it at one point or another. Yeah, I saw that on YouTube. Its pretty funny. He was giving the whole lowdown on it this morning. He said, You just have to play dead and loosen your muscles. If you tighten up, thats when it really gets you. He said it was the 28th bull of the day no one knows that. He said, I really tried to get a little too close. I tried to go right, it went right. Then, I tried to get left. Youll have to ask him about it, its a pretty good story. He loves telling it, his face lights up. Hopefully, there are no running backs as big as those bulls though Chris Johnson, hes as fast as anybody.

Q: Did Junior getting struck by the bull give him some insight into what its like to be a quarterback?

TB: Yeah, when everyones coming at you. Its probably pretty similar to those bulls. Juniors kind of crazy though, thats why hes in the bullring. Not many people would choose to do that, but Junior is one of them.

Q: In your experience, does it take time for each offense to sort of take on an identity at a certain point in the season? If so, what do you think would be this offenses identity?

TB: Well, free agency starts, the season starts in March. You sign new players and then you try to evaluate and self-scout from the previous season. Then, you go into the mini camps and passing camps with some new ideas and say, this is what were going to do, and this is where we need to get better. And you try a lot of new things. You work on them through training camp, and into the preseason. And then the regular season, youre kind of forming what the team is going to be. You know, like I said, in some ways weve done some very positive things over the five weeks. In a lot of ways, its been inconsistent, which reflects in the amount of points that were scoring. If we could be more consistent, wed be scoring more points, wed be winning more games, and everyone would be feeling a lot better around here. But because that hasnt happened, were still searching. Its not plays, its execution. Thats what it comes down to. Weve got to out and execute better. Weve got to go out on the practice field and execute better and continue to do whatever Coach [Bill] Belichick asks us to do.

Q: When you say that youre still searching, does that mean that youre still looking for something to hang your hat on to say thats what you are?

TB: Well, its finding different ways to produce on offense. Like I said, some weeks you try [thinking] this a great way to do it you put together what youre going to do, and you go out there, and some things work great and some things dont. Its bad execution and it doesnt look good when you dont complete the passes, even though its a great play against the right defense, it doesnt end up working and being productive. Youre just always searching for ways on offense and thats what defenses do. They find things that they do well and thats what you do. If you continue to do things poorly, then you dont give yourself much a chance. You find the things that you do well and you build on it. You understand the things you do poorly and then you try to improve on those things, so you dont make them as big a part of the plan.

Q: It seemed earlier in this decade, you were very efficient in running the ball, whether it was Corey Dillon, or Antowain Smith back there. The last couple of years, youve seemed to get away from that and you guys dont run as effectively now as you did back then.

TB: I think last year we were like third in the league in rushing, or something like that. We were a pretty good team in 2007, but we were more a passing team. Every year, the different skill positions that you have on the team, it changes. You play to your strengths. And we certainly have great running backs that have run it very well this year at times. Its just being balanced and playing complimentary between the run, and the pass, and the play-action pass. The better you can run the ball, the better a play-action pass works, or vice versa. The better drop-back pass you have, the better your draws, traps and screens are. They all feed off of one another, when any phase is really not in sync, then the other phase typically isnt in sync. Once you get them kind of working and rolling, then it all looks pretty good.

Q: Do you think other offenses are really buying into your running game right now the way they might have in the past?

TB: Like I said, if theyre not, were always going to try to stay balanced. If they think were going to run it, or they dont think were going to run it, weve got to run it at times anyway to be effective. On third and one, youre probably going to run the ball. If youre on the goal line, youre going to run it. When youre in a four-minute situation when youre protecting a lead, youre going to run it. Youve got to run it when they know youre going to run it and youre going to have to run it against pass looks also. Its important. Weve got some good backs. Getting them the ball with space like in the Baltimore game it wasnt a huge output, but youve got to run it enough to really stay balanced against those guys.

Q: Have you talked to Peyton Manning about recovering from his injury and how long it took him to get back to game speed?

TB: I havent talked to him about it. Im sure most of the situations are a little bit different. But its just about going back to work. When you dont play as well as youd like, theres really no secret to it. You just have to get out there and do it, and do it better, and be more focused, and be more concentrated. [You have to] go on the practice field with a sense of urgency. Thats the way to overcome it. Youve just got to say this is what it is, and this is what were not doing a very good job of, and this is what Im not doing a very good job of and trying to do it better.

Q: [On playing with confidence]

TB: Its hugely important. For example, if you dont hit a pass, you cant loose your confidence and think I cant complete passes anymore. I think of it more like, Wow, the defense was pretty lucky there I didnt complete it. The confidence that you bring as a quarterback, as a running back, as a wide receiver, to your teammates is whats very important. Im always bringing that positive, confident attitude, no matter whats happening in the game, or whats been happening that week, or previous week. Thats what makes good leaders. Youve got to be the one to ultimately go out there and perform better. And everyone counts on me to perform at a certain level. I count on them to do their job. When youre not doing it, its very frustrating, you really feel in a way that youre letting your teammates down. You also have to have the resiliency to go back out there and give it your best.

Q: Looking ahead to the London game, given your level of celebrity here, will it almost be a relief to be going somewhere where youre not known as well?

TB: That would be wonderful. That would be great. Yeah, I think it will be a great experience for us. The teams really looking forward to it. Its coming fast, the seasons going by pretty quickly. I think theres two games before the bye week, and the second one being in London. It feels like we just started. It will be fun when we head over there. Hopefully, we head over there at 4-2.

Q: Are you going to do any sightseeing while youre in London?

TB: No, I think our coach will have us pretty well … I think well be in the most remote area, there wont be anything within miles. We probably wont do a whole lot of that, not on this trip.

Q: Im sure youre aware of David Beckham and his wife Victorias notoriety over there. Do you feel your situation here kind of mirrors theirs in comparison in England?

TB: Im aware of it. Its hard not to be aware of it. But I dont see much of a comparison, I really dont. Hes older. Hes got a lot more kids. Hes a lot faster than me. But hes certainly a great player.

Q: Have you met him [Beckham]?

TB: Yeah.

Q: What was that experience like? What did you think of him?

TB: Hes a very nice guy. He loves playing soccer and hes very good at it. He obviously makes a big commitment in the work that hes done to travel as much as he has to play here and in Europe. You play at a very highly competitive level, I think thats what drives all of us. We want to be the best we can possibly be and to continue to find ways to challenge yourself. I think thats a big part of our lives.

Q: How would you feel if Rush Limbaugh bought the Patriots?

TB: Would I get a raise? There might be less taxes to pay. Yeah, who knows what will happen with that.

Q: Any thoughts on that whole situation?

TB: A lot of people have kind of been weighing in on that the last few days. Im about … No, I have no comment. Sorry guys, thank you.

Q: Have you been to England before?

TB: Yes, a couple of times.

Q: Have you ever been to Wembley Stadium?

TB: No.

Q: Do you know any English Premier League soccer teams?

TB: Yeah, I know them all. “Man U” [Manchester United], thats my team.

LINEBACKER JUNIOR SEAU

PRESS CONFERENCE

October 14, 2009

Q: Earlier in the season you talked about coming back later. At this point, it’s a little earlier than you’ve been talking about…

JS: Well it’s always going to be Bill’s time. It always has been. Forecasting what happens in the National Football League and my career, I’ve learned after nineteen years of playing in this league, we really don’t control that. I, basically in eight months, have been working out for a chance to make a choice. A chance I didn’t have control of, Bill had control of. But the choice was to be prepared for that chance, so for eight months I have been training to receive a chance and to have a choice and here we are.

Q: How hard was it working out at that level knowing you might not have the chance to play?

JS: Now, let me help you with that. I said I worked out. That doesn’t mean I worked out for…in the game of football, you really cannot train to be in football shape unless you have a helmet on and you have ten other guys shooting for your knees. But to be able to go through eight months of training to have a chance, it’s tough. There’s a lot of discipline in that, and I have a lot of great people surrounded me during that course and I definitely have to thank them. It’s tough to do when you don’t have a goal. For the first time in my career I was training for hope and a chance to obviously choose. It came out that obviously Bill made a call and here we are.

Q: What are your impressions of the team considering a lot of your teammates are much younger?

JS: There’s a line-backing core that I have now that were probably in first grade when I was a rookie. So there’s a lot of youth but they can play the game. So if there’s anything that I can help them where either in the meeting room or whether it’s in the weight room, whatever it may take, it’s going to be fun playing with them, but we’re definitely young.

Q: How tough is it to leave the game?

JS: It’s not tough to leave the game. There’s such a great lifestyle that you work so long for to enjoy. I’m not going to cry about cutting up oranges and apples and packing a cooler and going to a football game, my son’s football game, or my daughter’s volleyball games and heading home and surfing for three hours. Having a tuna sandwich and playing the eukalaly. There’s nothing bad about that so I did not miss it. It’s just part of my life. I love life challenges and I live for those moments. I live for those moments. This is a challenge. I can’t forecast what’s going to happen, just give me a helmet and we’ll work on it.

Q: How did the bull manage to run you down?

JS: Guy’s, [the bull weights] 2,000 pounds. I should have thought about it. I didn’t say I was so smart – a smart person. That bull came at me I gave it a juke right, he looked at me and goes, ‘nuh uh’. I gave him a juke left and the bull said, ‘saw that one too.’ I should have just done a Bruschi swim, but I didn’t have the right technique. So I tried to eject and he caught me. He caught me. I was fortunate enough to get out of that, but it was definitely a moment in time that I will never forget. It was exciting. Being in that ring, in the rest of the ring with the bullfighters and bull riders – what they do every day, stepping in between the rider. You’re stepping in between a rider and a 2,000-pound bull. Those are men. Those are men. I have a great respect for them. That had nothing to do with show biz. That was real. I have the bruises to show you.

Q: How can you best help this team? Is it on the field, off the field, is it both?

JS: On and off the field, the best thing I do is I lean on Bill Belichick. And the reason why I say that is that Bill doesn’t kick around tires and say, ‘I’m just going to go and grab a guy that’s 40 years old, off the surf board, and say to come join us.’ He has a plan. His plan is something that we’re going to try and implement – whatever it may be. He knows who I am. I know what he has to offer. I trust Bill. Because I trust Bill, I’m here today. What am I going to do? How am I going to help the team? You know, I can’t forecast that. I wish I could. If I could, I wouldn’t be a football player. I wouldn’t. Just give me a helmet, I guarantee you I’m going to be the best player that I can be today and we’ll build from there.

Q: What can you show those players that were in first grade [when you started in the NFL]?

JS: I don’t want to address them as first grade players. I mean, these guys work hard to be where they are and I respect them for who they are and what they’ve done. My job is to go in there and work, like I’ve worked for nineteen years, no different.


Q: With all the interesting sports jobs you had – filming the TV show – do you think this job is the one you’ve always been meant to have?


JS: Well “Sports Jobs”, the show is basically me living the life of those that work behind the scenes. For the pro’s to be pro’s. So it’s a different venue. I’m used to going out there and run around and jumping on a pile and pretend that I made a tackle, and there are people that come before all that to allow us to be able to do all that. I mean my trainers, my equipment managers, our field people that work on the field, our concession stands, all these people, security guards – there are so many people that work behind the scenes that don’t get any love and I get to enjoy that. I get to give some of that back and say thank you for the nineteen years. But that’s what our show’s about

Q: Obviously you’re in great physical shape, you work out and you passed the physical here, how curious are you in your own ability to maintain the high level of play that this franchise has a history of and that you’re used to individually?

JS: I’m not worried about that. If I was worried about that I wouldn’t be here today. One thing I know is that you can’t coach courage. You can’t. You give me a B, an A gap, I’m going through there until I break glass. I will go through the A and B gap until I break glass and that’s what I do. I’m not afraid of whether or not I’m going to bring to the table a level that I had twenty years ago; that’s not going to happen. Again, back to the box, the box is basically what Bill needs. He’ll tell me what it is. If I got to be a plumber today, I’ll be a plumber. Whatever it may be; I’m just here to help.


Q: With that being said, if he says he needs you this Sunday, can you go right away?

JS: Again, whatever Bill needs, whatever Bill needs.

Q: Tom Brady said that he came in here early to the weight room to do his lift and he saw you in a full sweat. What time did you get here and how eager were you to get into that weight room and put on that sweat?

JS: Working out in the morning at 5:30 is a norm for me. That’s part of my day. That’s just not here in New England. It’s not part of me because of the National Football League. I’ve done that for nineteen years and that’s never going to change. Allowing myself to get up in the morning and enjoying a work out to treat me, is a quiet time. It’s my way of gathering up and regrouping and reconnecting, so that’s never going to change. It’s so nice being up in the morning and a lot of the players are in there. A lot of the players are in there. So, you don’t need to give me kudos for working out, that’s part of my life.

Q: No, I’m just saying to you, was there any eagerness, added eagerness to, ‘Hey, I’m going to be doing it now, in the Patriots locker room.’

JS: You know everyone asks are you eager, are you excited. I’m too old to be excited. Can I say that? I am. I’m too old to jump up for joy. I know that the only way this is all going to be exciting to anyone, [is] if it works, if it works. The challenge is what we do from here on out. I’m not going to blow out the cake and jump around. This isn’t the time to do that. It’s time to go to work. Give me a helmet and let’s build a player that I can be this year. That’s all I ask.

Q: You said before this is the only team you would come back for. What makes this team different than the other thirty-one?


JS: Easy. I know the system. I trust the coach and the ownership and the coaches in this organization and I have a lot of love for the players in the locker room. That’s the reason why I wanted to come back to only one team. It has nothing to do with the San Diego Chargers being a hometown team. I wouldn’t be able to give the San Diego Chargers what they need because I don’t know the locker room. There’s so many things that I don’t know, that are so unknown, to give me a chance to help them perform at a high level and I trust this coach, Bill Belichick.

Q: How much longer can you keep doing this?

JS: Tell Bill stop calling and I won’t answer.

Q: So if he called next year…?

JS: Tell Bill, that it’s day by day. You can close it by not calling me. Let me surf, I won’t be back.

Q: Would you be here today if you had won a ring already?

JS: If I had a ring in place, I would probably think otherwise. I would probably think otherwise. There are so many things that evolve to the decision that I made to coming back.

Q: What are your impressions of Jerod Mayo?

JS: Jerod Mayo, the sky’s the limit for the kid. The sky’s the limit. He’s the leader on this defense and [Gary] Guyton’s doing a heck of a job in the middle. We have two great linebackers up and coming.

Q: How can you help them?

JS: One day at a time. I can help them all one day at a time. I can’t forecast that. For me to talk about what I’m going to do, you would never get that out of me. You won’t. Just give me a helmet and let me work.

Q: There’s been a lot of talk about inconsistency with this team, you’ve watched them from a far, you come back with an opportunity, you say to win a ring, but you see that as being a goal still here?

JS: Let me just clear that question up. He’s asking about the inconsistency of what’s been going on. We’re going to forget about everything that happened in the past. We’re going forward. We’re going forward. It’s a new day; it’s a new challenge.

Q: But do you see this as a viable team that can win?

JS: It’s a new day, a new challenge. The ultimate goal is what? To win a ring. That’s the ultimate goal. Are we? No, we don’t know that. That’s part of a forecast. Everyone should have that goal, but whatever has happened in the past, whether it’s good or bad, what you have to do in this league, one thing you have to do in this league is have short term memory. When you’re good, cut it off, real quick. Next day there’s a different challenge. You do bad. You do the same thing. You do the same thing. Be consistent, and with that, you’ll make it in this league.