Patriots Players Postgame Transcripts 8/13
PATRIOTS PLAYERS
Jam Miller, RB
(On playing his first game in the NFL)
“It felt great, just playing at this stadium, seeing all the fans around, hearing all the great fans cheering us on. To step on that field first, it felt great. I really wasn’t expecting it, but I have to take advantage of every opportunity I get.”
(On what he can bring to the Patriots)
“When I’m at my best, I feel like I have to continue to encourage everyone else to keep going and keep fighting. Somebody might have a bad play in the previous play and probably a little word of encouragement can probably change the whole mindset and make the next big play.”
(On battling for a roster spot)
“I feel like every team has a battle, everybody is battling from starting quarterback to starting running back—everybody is just competing. Like I said, everybody is cool, everybody is friends, but at the end of the day, I’m pretty sure everyone knows that this is a business. For me, I’m just trying to earn a spot on this team.”
(On his running style)
“I would say aggressive. Aggressive with a little bit of speed in it, but I’m just going to do whatever I can do to help this team win.”
Efton Chism III, WR
(On how it felt to play tonight)
“Shoot, it felt good, you know, always awesome just to be back out there playing with the guys and competing. So, I had lots of fun.”
(On how he felt Tommy DeVito did on controlling and commanding the offense)
“Yeah, he did good. I felt like when we were in that huddle there and he was controlling it, he did a great job. I enjoy being in the huddle with him. He’s a great guy and a great quarterback, so it was awesome.”
(On the sense of urgency for guys trying to earn a spot)
“I mean I think, just in my opinion, don’t make it bigger than it is, right? It’s just football, keep playing football. You know, try not to focus on all the outside noise, and just kind of show up to work, and kind of grind, and hopefully it works out.”
Eli Raridon, TE
(On what he’s doing to prepare for the game)
“Studying. And over time it’s just starting to slow down. I’m starting to play faster and more aggressive, and a lot of the credit’s due to the coaching I’m getting.”
(On what it felt like being out there in a game situation)
“It was surreal. It was a lot of fun and it was great getting out there with my teammates, and finally getting to compete against someone else. I just had a lot of fun out there, and it was a great experience.”
(On Tommy DeVito’s performance)
“I thought he did great. He connected on some plays, and unfortunately penalties got a lot of our big plays called back. I thought we made some plays on offense, and Tommy did a good job leading us.”
(On having Hunter Henry in the tight end room)
“He’s been awesome, and I’ve been telling people he’s like having another coach out there. Having someone on the field whose been out there so long and has so much knowledge at the tight end position, I’m really blessed to have him in the room.”
(On if there was anything unexpected tonight)
“I don’t think so. The way we’ve been practicing helped me prepare and be ready for the moment, and I felt great out there.”
(On the game feeling like it’s slowing down)
“Every day I’m getting used to it. It’s just a different speed in the NFL than it is in college, and every day I’m just trying to get better, trying to play fast and aggressive and take the coaching that I’m getting.”
Caleb Lomu, T
(On his first taste of the NFL)
“Yeah it was amazing. That was the first, just a preseason game, but it was an opportunity for all of us to get out there and go and play. We had the joint practice this week, so that is kind of like my first taste of going against another team in the NFL, and the game today was amazing to go out there and play. We have to just play a game again, we go through all these practices, have not played the game in so long, so it felt good to be back out there on the field going against another team. It is just the whole moment being here, running up that tunnel. The name I have on that jersey, it was a surreal feeling for sure. That did not feel real at all, still does not really feel real, but I loved every moment of it.”
(On the team converting two fourth downs behind him)
“Yeah, just every play that they call out there, my job as an offensive lineman, especially in those sword guard situations on fourth down, we are just trying to move the ball. We are trying to get those 2 yards, and so my responsibility is going with everyone else on the offensive line. We are getting that ball a yard or two, pretend we are in the red zone. Really every single play, trying to get as much movement as I can on the offensive line. So, it is just my mindset every single play going out there and giving it my all.”
(The biggest difference between college and the NFL)
“You nailed it right there. Pretty much everything, speed with the actual game, how fast the game moves. Then also just the opponents you are going against out there. Everyone is on that field for a reason. They are all talented players and everyone is a lot bigger, faster and stronger. So just compared to college, everything just moves a lot quicker. Really just have to hone in on the details, fundamentals of the game, and really, you have got to be smart out there. Everyone else is smart out there, and they move quickly and you cannot think out there. You have just got to go, trust what you know. Trust the practice that you put in all week, just go out there and at the end of the day, just have fun playing the game. It is a sport we all grew up playing and we all love, and that is the biggest reason why we are here, so having fun is also very important.”
Gabe Jacas, LB
(On the defensive performance)
“Yeah, I think the defense was just swimming around, making some plays. Obviously, we got some turnovers. A lot of guys feed off of that.”
(On how valuable these reps were)
“Very valuable. Just having the opportunity to go out there and play the game of football. I love it. Every snap I had, just going out there, running around. Very valuable.”
(On the atmosphere of Gillette Stadium)
“Going out there for pregame warm-ups, just going out there and being like this is my first game. It was all I dream about.”
Kindle Vildor, CB
(On what it felt like to play a live game)
“I felt good. It felt like the season came back already, it’s like we got a new season already. But, I definitely felt good to go out there and compete against those guys on a real football setting and everything like that. So, it was fun for sure.”
(On how he felt the defense performed after forcing four turnovers)
“Oh yeah, we preached ‘get the ball’ throughout training camp so far, and I felt like we definitely did that today.”
(On whether setting the tone early was on his mind going into this game)
“Yeah, I always want to make sure I get good ball production and stuff like that. So, it was good. I was able to go out there and get the first one early in the first drive of the game. Kind of set the tone for a defense for sure.”
(On the level of urgency for him and teammates trying to earn a spot on this team)
“Oh yeah, I feel like anytime we step on the field, like preseason, regular season, you should always have a sense of urgency to go out there and want to put your best thing on tape. So, definitely.”
Dell Pettus, S
(On the defense getting turnovers)
“It was definitely something that we love to see, like you said it’s an emphasis for our defense in every practice, every game—at practice, we always want to get at least two takeaways, so to come away with four today, I think our defense stepped up in a very positive light.”
(On energy of the crowd)
“With it being my third season and playing a lot of games in this stadium, I thought it was everything I expected it to be. I know how passionate our fans are and how much they really care, and they come out to support us. We definitely love and appreciate them for that, so it was everything I expected it to be. All the guys with the shirts off, I thought it was pretty funny.”
Andy Borregales, K
(On tonight’s performance)
“Obviously, I mean, I hold myself to a high standard, just disappointing, but just got to build from there.”
(On what happened on the potential game-winner that hooked left)
“Yeah, I feel like I hooked it a little bit. But then again, just got to go back and watch the film and see exactly what happened.”
(On working with a new long snapper and whether the operation felt different tonight)
“I mean, we were working on it during practice, so it’s just something that I got to adjust to. And again, lots of film. Go from there.”