Undertaker #59
09-06-2006, 05:18 PM
A few notes from the locker room:
* Quarterback Tom Brady held a press conference at 11:45 a.m. Brady was asked one question about tight end Benjamin Watson and said he felt that –- in the absence of Deion Branch –- it has created a chance for Watson to develop more chemistry with him. “Ben probably gets more opportunity than anyone else,” Brady said. “He’s really a focal point of the passing game, because of the way he’s stepped up his level of play the last season. Ben and I have definitely grown a lot this past year. He’s taking great strides. I’m excited to see the kind of year he could have. He could be a real dominant player.”
* With an overflowing media crowd in attendance, several players answered questions and drew large crowds. Safety Rodney Harrison, inside linebacker Junior Seau, tight end Daniel Graham, outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, outside/inside linebacker Mike Vrabel, center Dan Koppen, running back Kevin Faulk, inside linebacker Larry Izzo, defensive lineman Richard Seymour and outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin were among those drawing a lot of attention. The main theme was the excitement of starting another season.
* Special teams has been a theme today, as the Bills are strong in that area. Earlier, Bill Belichick spoke about how Buffalo’s Bobby April and New England’s Brad Seely are two of the best special teams coaches in the game. Izzo, the Patriots’ special teams captain, answered several questions on the topic.
* Running back Laurence Maroney, who practiced on Monday for the first time since playing in the team’s third preseason game, was present in the locker room, but didn’t answer questions from the media.
Access to practice starts around 12:45 p.m. We’ll have more after that.
More from Mike Reiss... (http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2006/09/extra_points_3.html)
* Quarterback Tom Brady held a press conference at 11:45 a.m. Brady was asked one question about tight end Benjamin Watson and said he felt that –- in the absence of Deion Branch –- it has created a chance for Watson to develop more chemistry with him. “Ben probably gets more opportunity than anyone else,” Brady said. “He’s really a focal point of the passing game, because of the way he’s stepped up his level of play the last season. Ben and I have definitely grown a lot this past year. He’s taking great strides. I’m excited to see the kind of year he could have. He could be a real dominant player.”
* With an overflowing media crowd in attendance, several players answered questions and drew large crowds. Safety Rodney Harrison, inside linebacker Junior Seau, tight end Daniel Graham, outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, outside/inside linebacker Mike Vrabel, center Dan Koppen, running back Kevin Faulk, inside linebacker Larry Izzo, defensive lineman Richard Seymour and outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin were among those drawing a lot of attention. The main theme was the excitement of starting another season.
* Special teams has been a theme today, as the Bills are strong in that area. Earlier, Bill Belichick spoke about how Buffalo’s Bobby April and New England’s Brad Seely are two of the best special teams coaches in the game. Izzo, the Patriots’ special teams captain, answered several questions on the topic.
* Running back Laurence Maroney, who practiced on Monday for the first time since playing in the team’s third preseason game, was present in the locker room, but didn’t answer questions from the media.
Access to practice starts around 12:45 p.m. We’ll have more after that.
More from Mike Reiss... (http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2006/09/extra_points_3.html)