Patriots Players Postgame Transcripts 1/4
PATRIOTS PLAYERS
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB
(On excitement for what’s ahead)
“I’m very excited. Like you said, I’ve been here a few years, never really got to host a playoff game here at Gillette, so I’m excited for that. I’m just proud of this team. I’m proud of how we fight, proud of how relentless we are. I’m proud of how my teammates have my back, my coaches that have my back, and I’m excited for the postseason.”
(On mental attitude since returning from injury)
“To be honest with you, I try to stay pretty level, no matter what’s going on, how good it could get, how bad it could get, I try to stay pretty level. Really, I was just day-by-day back then when it wasn’t really going my way, just putting my best foot forward, not really trying to get discouraged. My teammates and coaches made it a little easier on me; they had my back and things like that, so I would say I just try to stay relentless. I try to keep the same headspace no matter if it’s going good or going bad.”
(On Coach [Mike] Vrabel’s team-first mentality)
“I think Vrabel just instills that we’re a team. Team first and Drake [Maye] is going to spread the ball around. So, maybe you don’t get as many touches one week, and next week, it might be your week. You never know. You just have to, like they said, just stay patient, wait for your time, just come to work. Work hard every day, try to learn, and when you get your opportunity, you’ve got to flourish.”
(On having his mom in the stands)
“She comes out pretty often. She was just here last week, I believe. Just having my mom in the stands means a lot. I wish my dad was up there, too, with her still, but just to have her up there means a lot to me. It makes me want to play hard just knowing she’s out there watching me.”
(On appreciation and motivation for the postseason)
“You don’t always get these opportunities. These opportunities don’t come by all the time, so when we get them, we’ve got to make them count. We have to go in there next week, best foot forward and just play our game. Play as relentless as we can because you know if we lose, we go home now. So, this is when the real football starts.”
TreVeyon Henderson, RB
(On how the regular season felt)
“It feels great. We thank God, wouldn’t be here without Him. Been given such a great opportunity, we put in a lot of work, so it’s grateful to be able to have the season that we’ve been having. Now it’s time to go, time to put everything on the line.”
(On his expectations before he joined the team)
“Coaches kept talking about finding a role, earning a role on this team. So, my mindset was just wanting to come in and give it everything I got to honor the Lord and try my best to earn a role on this team. The beginning of the season was kind of slow for me, but I just stayed focused, kept pushing, kept working as hard as I can and eventually, I’d open up a door to be able to get a lot more opportunities. I’ve just been trying my best to take advantage of it. The biggest thing was we just wanted to put in the work and let the results be the results and the results are there. We put in so much work, we have to continue to do so.”
(On what he’s learned from Rhamondre)
“I’ve learned so much, just learning how to be a professional. I feel like they’ve been through so much, Rhamondre has been through so much in this program. Just seeing his work ethic, seeing how he comes to practice each and every day to get better. That’s something I’ve learned as well. He’s been such a great leader for this running back room, I’m just so grateful to have him on my side, he’s been like a brother to me. He’s been teaching me the ropes”
(On when he felt that they were a good football team)
“I think as we kept going on road games, as we kept winning road games. That’s not an easy thing to do, travelling on the road and going to play a team in their environment. It’s tough, it’s hard. We went down to Miami where it was hot, then went to Buffalo in a tough environment, so once we got those under our belt, I think that started to help us build a little bit more confidence. We have a pretty good team here and we can go a long way.”
Stefon Diggs, WR
(On how it feels to reach 1,000 yards receiving for the season)
“Rejoice. Relief. People don’t know how much work it took to get here, so I’m just really thankful for my teammates and my coaches. They were probably more happier than I was. I put a lot of work to get to that point and I told you all fingers crossed. People just don’t know coming off an ACL, getting your confidence back, being around the right people and they’re pushing you each and every day. I’m just so thankful God is good, God is amazing actually. I’m going to enjoy this.”
(On the celebration with teammates after the game)
“It was lit. Not even just mine, Hunter Henry had a little stuff out there to grab. KC [K’Lavon Chaisson], guys that you see work all season and guys go get the things that they want and that they work extremely hard for. It’s weird because it’s such an unselfish team that you’re more happier than the guy that got whatever he worked hard for and coming in here and getting it done. We had a little lull a little bit, but we got back focused and showed that we are the team that we were supposed to be.”
(On his playoff experience and emotions going into the Playoffs)
“I feel like our coaches did a great job over these past couple of weeks and these last couple of weeks letting us know that this is what it’s going to be like – playoff atmosphere and playing against good teams. You have to be on your job, you may have to go through some adversity and fight your way through some things. Going into the [playoffs], I figure the mindset isn’t going to be any different and is just going to be another layer added to the attention to detail.”
(On his expectations when he signed with the Patriots)
“I just knew that they had a good young quarterback. You can’t say he had a promising future but it sure looked like it. We played them last year when I was in Houston and I was like, “That kid got some stuff in there,” You never know when they’re super young. Going into the season, I knew that [Mike Vrabel] was an amazing coach and [Josh] McDaniels knew how to draw it up. I knew it was a good quarterback and I was surprised when I got around the receivers how gifted they were. I realized when I said there was seven dogs and one bone, there was probably more dogs than that. I’m just blessed to be where I’m at and I’m excited for us. I know that we’re up for whatever challenges are in front of us. I’m going to keep saying that, I like us.”
Hunter Henry, TE
(On how good of a day it was for the team)
“It is huge. We did not want to skip anything, get too far ahead of ourselves, and I feel like the guys did that. We responded. That second quarter probably was not our best today, but we came out in the second half ready to go. Just excited for what is ahead.”
(On facing his old team next week for the first time since the 33 point loss last year)
“We are a very, very different team from a year ago. We are a very close team and come together. Have obviously had a great year but now it kind of starts over. We kind of got to start a new season. We are going to attack it that way and be ready to go this week because they will be ready to go. They have a lot of good players over there, obviously I know a few of them and they will be a big challenge.”
(On how the closeness of the team has helped succeed)
“Oh, it is huge. It can be very uncommon in this league I think in a way. This is my 10th year in this league, what a blessing that is, and I have played on 10 different teams. Every year is a new year and this was a special group of guys. The book came together and it started in the offseason, throughout training camp, and then obviously throughout the season. When you have a care level and just a little extra, you play a little bit more for the guy next to you. Obviously on offense you play for the guy next to you, but you play for those guys on the defensive side of the ball, special teams so it is pretty special. ”
(On how his appreciation for playoff football has changed throughout his career)
“It is a blessing to be in the playoffs again. Honestly, we have had some hard times here. It is hard to get in, it really is. This is a tough league, there is a lot of parity. You have to be ready to go every single week, week in and week out throughout 17 games. We were able to execute at a high level 14 times and be able to come out with 14 wins, which is huge. Pretty special to do that. But now everybody is 0-0, it is a new season. Playoff football is special and it really is. I am excited to have the opportunity to play here in Gillette Stadium next weekend again in front of these fans. I know everybody in that locker room is pretty fired up for it.”
(On how the message changes for a playoff game compared to the regular season)
“Obviously this is, you win or you go home now. You cannot relax, you have to really be on the details, be on everything. But I do not think we will waver from who we are. We want to be who we are, our identity, and play to that. I played to that a lot throughout this year, we really need that come next weekend.”
Will Campbell, T
(On being back on the field)
“Man, I’m just super thankful. Whenever I went down, of course, immediately I think the worst, so just to have the opportunity to come back and play again out there, being on the field with the guys, it’s what I work for year-round. So, for it to be able to happen, it’s just really special. I was really excited to be out there.”
(On how his knee feels)
“I feel good, so it’s a blessing. I just can’t thank the guys in the training room enough that helped me out. They pushed me. Just trying to get me in the best position possible and I appreciate it.”
(On being in the playoffs as a rookie)
“It’s everything you could ask for. I’m just super thankful. I’m really just thankful for the guys on this team. Everybody shows up every day, ready to work. There’s not another group I would rather do it with than these guys.”
(On his relationship with Mike Vrabel)
“Yeah, I mean, the first time I met him, we definitely hit it off. We’re very similar. But, I just feel like it is very rare to have a coach like him that can connect with so many different personalities on the team. I don’t ever want to have to play for anybody else. I feel like that’s the best way to sum it up. This is the most fun I’ve had playing football since high school. All you hear about whenever you’re going into the league as a rookie is, “It’s not like college, enjoy college.” You don’t have that close bond team, your coaches.” I feel like that’s complete BS because this team has done nothing but prove that wrong. I feel like we’ve got a lot of great guys, some great coaches, and I’m just super thankful to be a part of this group.”
(On what he has heard about playoff football)
“I feel like, even though I hadn’t played in it, you understand what’s on the line. You understand that it is win or go home. You’re going to get everybody’s best shot. Everybody’s best pass rush, play after play. Everybody’s best call on defense. So, we’ll have to have a good week of preparation for whoever we’re playing, but we understand what’s at stake.”
K’Lavon Chaisson, LB
(On how important it was to finish strong tonight)
“Huge. We’ve been talking about this as a defense. We just want to polish up a couple things, especially going into the postseason. We knew embracement, emphasizing a lot. The naps that we kind of took throughout the season, we can’t afford those during the postseason. Those are the teams that know how to capitalize in those moments. So, I think we played well on all sides of the ball today. Obviously, still things we want to clean up, but it was a good showing, for sure.”
(On Quinn Ewers’ performance)
“He played to the best of his ability. Obviously, a lot of key players didn’t play today, so I think it was the best they could do. Obviously, things started getting out of hand once the second half started rolling, too. I think it was pretty well done from his end.”
(On how proud he is of the team for 14 wins)
“Huge. This was my first time winning 14 games in an NFL season. I don’t take that lightly at all. Regardless of what outsiders may say about the schedule, everybody’s a professional. Obviously, we all are one of the 1% to be able to. God-given talent to make this league. So, it’s truly a blessing. It shows how hard we’ve been working, how committed we are to the process and the identity of this team, and I think we’re going to continue to improve on that.”
(On how the team plans to approach next week)
“In all belief, I feel like we’ve been treating every game like a do or die situation, and that’s just honestly one of those. Continue to get better, continue to eliminate all the mistakes as much as possible. Things are going to happen, but just continue to do as best you can and know that we cannot – we can’t slip up. We’re going into the postseason and playing the best teams that are left in the league, and know how to take advantage of those missed opportunities from other teams.”
Milton Williams, DT
(On looking back on the season, his injury and what it means to make the playoffs)
“Blessed to be in this position and for my injury not to be as bad as everybody initially thought. Shout out to our training staff, our strength staff, and our coaching staff for keeping me in the loop, keeping me ready and keeping me doing what I need to do to make sure I get back into form to help this team win games.”
(On his playoff experience and emotions going into the playoffs)
“We don’t need no super heroes or anybody to go out there and try to do stuff that we haven’t been doing all year. Just be consistent, harping on fundamentals, keep doing what we we’ve been doing all year and winning games.”
(On the team’s performance and confidence this season)
“Coach Vrabel is always on us every week. We try to win every week that we go out there. The biggest game for us, was I think in the beginning of this season when we played in Buffalo. They were on a streak and hadn’t been beaten at home. We went in there and took care of business. From that moment forward, we saw what we were capable of. My message to the guys was just to put on display every week after that and I feel like we’ve been doing that.”
Christian Gonzalez, CB
(On his mindset heading into his first playoff game)
“I am excited, very excited, to be able to play in January. As a kid, it’s a dream come true, really, just being able to play in the playoffs. We came in and Vrabes [Coach Mike Vrabel] came in and said, ‘Win the division and host home playoff games,’ so we were able to do that. So, like I said, it is a new season now, so we may not even enjoy this one tonight, get right on to it and be ready for next week.”
(On the defense’s strong second half)
“I feel like I kind of said that at the beginning of the week. It is a division opponent. Regardless of record or anything like that, it’s NFL football. Everybody is going to come out here and compete to play their best. Nobody is going to just go out there and not try, not do anything. But wee were just able to rally as a team, make corrections at halftime and come out as a defense and execute.”
(On the difference between being a top cornerback on a struggling team last season compared to being a top cornerback on a team like this)
“Honestly, I just go out there and just try to play my game. Go out there and have fun, whatever comes out for personal goals, aspirations, and awards, we are not really focused on that. This team is so tight-knit that everybody is – all we want to do is go out there and play for each other, win and keep competing. It’s just been a lot of fun to get 14 wins, but we are ready for the playoffs and glad it’s a home game.”
(On the Patriots being a tight-knit group)
“I feel like just from the jump, Vrabel came in and talked about, preached about building a brotherhood, a really strong team. That started in OTAs, and it carried all the way through the season. We were able to sit down and talk about each other’s whys and things like that. So, when you learn why the guy next to you is going out there and playing as hard as he can, it makes you want to play just as hard. Everybody goes through things; everybody has been through hardships in life. They sat there and listened to you, and you got to hear about their story. It just brought us together, and now it helps us on Sundays.”
Jaylinn Hawkins, S
(On his reaction to the season as a whole)
“I’m just happy the way we handled business this season, the way we came together, the way we grew together. Obviously, that’s a big accomplishment, now we’re onto the post season, so all this stuff, we have to flush it within the next 10-12 hours. It’s onto the next, but grateful for it.”
(On his interception)
“We had covers on the guy, he ran a corner route, the receiver to my side. I got onto him, I was kind of reading the quarterback and my guy at the same time and he threw the over route from the other side. As soon as he threw it, I fell off my guy and the ball happened to be there, I just caught it and made a play.”
(On playing the Chargers after losing 40-7 in the last matchup)
“I remember that day last year, it was tough. We got whooped, it’s tough. Obviously, we’re a whole new team, whole new cast of characters, new coach and it’s the playoffs, so we’re just going in focusing on this. Knowing what we need to do and execute and come out victorious next week. We’re playing to win.”
(On the difference between winning the last game last year versus this year)
“I reflect a lot, obviously you forget the loss. I didn’t necessarily forget that loss I felt last year because I remember those things. I take that with me and I use it as fuel. Last year I remember after this last game and we didn’t have the opportunity to go into the post season. This year, it’s a complete change, so we’re blessed to have the opportunity. Now it’s about what you do with it, God put it on our plate and now we just have to go.”