The New England Patriots sang a different tune at media day. The defensive players seemed to be focused on the threats that Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson brings to the table. Marshawn Lynch was also a popular topic among the players. Media day was a big success for the Patriots as they took time to address a variety of topics. The win for the Patriots was that they didn’t have to field many questions about the deflate gate issue.
Brandon Browner was certainly a target for the media. He is a former member of the famed “Legion of Boom” and is going against his former teammates for the first time. One of the first things he mentioned when asked about the Seattle offense was Lynch and trying to tackle him. “He poses a big challenge, just like he does week-in and week-out against guys. I think if we do a good job of wrapping up or gang tackling, I think teams cover Marshawn and try to get the big hit, that won’t work because he’s a big guy, wide base and has good balance about his game. I think that if we just go in there and wrap him up and gang tackle him then we’ll be alright.”
Browner had a unique perspective because he had the opportunity to battle with Seattle wide receiver Doug Baldwin and wide receiver Jermaine Kearse in practices. Baldwin said that the one defensive back that he battled with the most in practice was Browner. Browner said that Baldwin is one of the quickest guys that he ever had to face. “He poses some challenges for someone like me, but we have good game plans for those guys and I’m confident in the game plan. It got heated (in practice) a couple of times, I won’t say what happened, but it got it heated.”
This year, the two teams feature two of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. There are some who say that Richard Sherman is the best, others will say that title belongs to Darrelle Revis. Revis spoke about what stands out to him about Sherman. “Just the ability to shut down your side, whatever side you’re on. Sherman, he plays left corner and he does great.” Revis said. “He’s great at what he does. I’m not really knocking him on what he does. He’s a playmaker and that’s what he does for his team.”
One of the things that Wilson and Baldwin have been able to do is make plays down field by working the scramble drill. This is something that stood out to Revis. “By watching film you see it’s very tough to cover those guys down the field. Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson scrambles a lot, which is very tough on the defense itself. It breaks the defense down. Russell does a great job at breaking the defense down with his legs. Scrambling and extending plays. In the secondary we just have to plaster when he does scramble and keep our eyes on our man.”
Kyle Arrington has primarily been a nickel guy for the Patriots. He also chimed in on the threat that Russell Wilson brings to the table. “He is a challenge, to say the least, and rightfully so. This is the biggest stage of our profession. It’s the best of the best and in order to be the best, you have to beat the best. They’re the defending Super Bowl (Champions). They deserve to be here and as far as ‘Russ’ specifically, he does a great job of keeping plays alive. You don’t know whether he’s going to run or throw, he dangerous at doing both and we definitely have a difficult challenge on our hands.”
Arrington said that Lynch is a load to tackle and that it will take a lot of guys to tackle him. He said that it will be essential to try to get as many guys to the ball as possible.
As an edge player, Chandler Jones will be faced with the task of containing the read option attack that highlights the talent of Wilson and Lynch. “If you let Russell Wilson get into his groove he can single handedly beat you. It’s a quarterback-driven league. It’s a quarterback driven team, so I feel like if you can contain him, you can contain them.” The most important thing is to be sound in technique and assignment. Jones said that everyone needs to do what they have to do. That theme is highlighted by the hats that the players have worn which have the phrase ‘Do your job’ embroidered on them.
Jamie Collins is a linebacker that will also have his share of encounters with Lynch. He seemed to have his own set of rules when it comes to bringing down the powerful running back known as Marshawn Lynch. “Sometimes you have to go into the game with your own game plan and not try to be someone else. And that’s me. I try to go in with my own game plan. We just have to stop the run game. Our defense, we get in the right position. It’s a different type of running game, but you know, it’s just all about will. The will to get out there and do what you got to do.””
Wilson breaking the pocket and making plays is something that he will surely need to stop if the Patriots are to leave Arizona with their fourth Super Bowl victory. To Collins, it is all about seeing where the quarterback is. “We keep an eye on him. He’s the quarterback. If there’s one person you have to keep your eye on, it’s the quarterback. We have a chance, you know. We are here. If that wasn’t the case (stopping Wilson), then we wouldn’t be here. So, I think we have a pretty good chance.”
Dont’a Hightower said that Lynch has a different style of running. He focused on his feet, vision and balance. Hightower said that Lynch has everything that someone would want in a running back, calling him a workhorse. There are also some hidden talents that Lynch has which didn’t go unnoticed by Lynch. “He’s got great hands out of the backfield. He’s a workhorse and does whatever they need him to do, whether it’s stepping in for protection to make a block or turning a five-yard run into a 60-yard run, he does a great job of just of expanding the play, not always looking to run somebody over, but looking to make that extra step to make that big play.”
Hightower was sure to chime in about Russell Wilson rushing abilities. “He has a different skill set. He’s something of running quarterback, but I wouldn’t say that he looks to escape the pocket a lot. If he gets pressure then he can get out.” Another thing that stands out to Hightower is how he extends plays really well. He mentioned how Wilson doesn’t just run the ball, he wants to throw the ball down field to the receivers, running backs and tight ends because they do a great job uncovering to give him a chance to make that big play down the field.
As an edge player, Chandler Jones will be faced with the task of containing the read option attack that highlights the talent of Wilson and Lynch. “If you let Russell Wilson get into his groove he can single handedly beat you. It’s a quarterback-driven league. It’s a quarterback driven team, so I feel like if you can contain him, you can contain them.” The most important thing is to be sound in technique and assignment. Jones said that everyone needs to do what they have to do. That theme is highlighted by the hats that the players have worn which have the phrase ‘Do your job’ embroidered on them.
The Patriots are fully aware of what it is they are facing. They recognize that Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch are two of the key players that they will need to stop in order for them to win.
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