Patriots vs. Giants - Bill Belichick PostGame Press Conference
OPENING STATEMENT:
Here is the complete transcript from Bill Belichick's postgame press conference following New England's 18-17 loss to the New York Giants Thursday night.
OPENING STATEMENT:
"Well, that was a good competitive game for us. I'm sure that we'll learn a lot when we look at the film here tomorrow and then we'll turn our sights toward some roster decisions and get on to Miami. I think everybody's looking forward to the start of the season. We've got a lot of work to do, and we'll get started on it tomorrow."
On if this game made up for the fact the starters didn't play in the first game in terms of evaluation:
"I don't really think it was any different than it was last year."
On his thoughts on the offense:
"I'm sure there were some good things and some things we could have done better. We'll look at the film, make the corrections, and move on like we usually do."
On his thoughts on getting Albert Haynesworth and Shaun Ellis out there tonight and getting them some reps:
"Yeah, we had several guys out there that haven't played in preseason and we had a chance to play them today. It was good to get them a little action, I'm sure that will benefit them."
On the ways it's beneficial, in terms of the communication and the differences from practice:
"Yeah, it's a different tempo in practice."
On if he feels the team is ready for the regular season:
"I don't think you can ever tell. It takes about three or four regular season games I think to really know what you've got. Without any game planning in preseason, it's hard to tell."
On how many spots were up for grabs tonight, and if those players really had the opportunity to play their way onto the team during this game:
"I don't know. I don't know. We'll do the best we can to make up the team and put together the best squad we can. There's always a lot of player movement this time of the season. Last year we traded for Tracy White - we weren't even talking about him after the game last year. So things like that happen. Who knows? I don't know."
On how important it was to get into a defensive line rotation:
"I don't know. I don't think it was that important."
On his thoughts on recently acquired defensive back Antwaun Molden:
"He's a big corner, athletic guy who can run, played in the kicking game...so...."
On whether or not Molden could play safety:
"I don't know. He's only been here one day. He flew in last night, so we've only had him for one day. But he did a pretty good job just being out there and being competitive at corner, so I really don't have any idea."
On what safety Josh Barrett brings to the team:
"Josh is a big safety that can run, has some experience, played in the kicking game, played defensively, both down and nickel defenses and also back and safety for the Broncos. Obviously, he didn't play last year. He's had an opportunity to practice the last couple weeks. He had a chance to play tonight, so that was good. It was good to get all those guys out there tonight that haven't played this year in games."
On his thoughts on the pregame ceremony which featured former Patriot Joe Andruzzi:
"Yeah, of course we saw the servicemen march out there and be there for the national anthem. Yeah, it was very moving. I mean I think we all remember that day and that season and the way that season started with Joe and his brothers coming up. It was a very emotional season and it brought back a lot of emotional memories."
On if he remembered Joe's flag waving part of the 2001 ceremony:
"Yeah, sure, absolutely. Absolutely. I mean Joe has always been a great teammate and warrior for this organization and when he and his family and their extended family and the New York firefighters – all of his friends and associates there - that's an extended family. So our hearts went out to him and his family during that time. There still is a great appreciation for all the great work that they continue to do, as well as our servicemen that were there representing all the servicemen that defend us and give us a chance to live the free lives that we do. So anytime we can show tribute to them, it's more than well deserved."
On what he was looking for from the veterans and guys like Shane Vereen who got his first opportunity out there tonight:
"We're trying to evaluate everybody, including the veterans. What veterans did last year, that's great, but that's last year. It's really where they are now and what they can contribute to this team, so I think they have to prove themselves just like the rookies do. They have an experience advantage, but they still have to go out there and show what they're able to do and they're competing for playing time as well as roster spots. So I think it's really the same for everybody. We're trying to evaluate the entire team, not just the individuals, but also how it fits together and how the team will be comprised since we need a lot of different people to do different jobs, different roles on the team, and we'll see how we can work all that out.
On whether or not we should read into anything about when and at what point certain guys played:
"Well, I think some of that is reflected by the way it was played last week. We want to see different people with different people on our team and against different people with our opponents. I don't know. You just evaluate the way they play. I think that's the most important thing is to look at what players do when they're on the field, on the practice field, and the game field, and evaluate their performance. That's what we try to do, whether it's early, late or in between or whenever it is."
On his thoughts about Fred Taylor, who is set to sign a ceremonial contract with the Jaguars tomorrow and retire officially along with his thoughts about Taylor's time here:
"I thought he was a tremendous example for the younger players. He had a great attitude, a great work ethic, very professional. I think he added a lot to our team in those two years. As you said, he wasn't able to contribute as much on the field as he or we would have liked, but as far as being a professional and doing everything the right way and being a great example – to not just the younger players but really all the players – he was exemplary. It was really a privilege for me to coach him.
"He's had a tremendous career. He's a tremendous player and he deserves all the recognition that he'll be getting. He was outstanding, a very hard guy to play against and we were very fortunate to have him on our team for a couple of years at the end of his career. We've had several guys like that – the Junior Seaus and the Fred Taylors and guys like that. They brought a lot to us at that time and we were fortunate to have them."
On if he's glad the preseason is finally over so he can get onto some "normalcy" with the regular season:
"Well, it will be normal for this year. I don't think it will be normal compared to other years. The way practices are structured and all that, it will be quite a bit different than what we've been used to doing. But I mean that's all right. Everybody's doing the same thing. We're all playing under the same rules, so we'll make the most of our opportunities hopefully."
On whether or not the shortened preseason affected the way he approached this game:
"No. No, I'd say this game went pretty much the way last year's game did."
On the fact other teams sit their players and the fact he doesn't do that:
"We've done that in the past. We've played preseason games with 30-some guys not dressed or not playing. I think you do what's best for your team. That's what I try to do. I can't worry about what the other 31 teams do. I mean it's really - I don't want say I don't care, but I really don't. I'm just concerned about our team. Other teams can do whatever they want."
On whether or not it was nice to see some guys play who haven't seen much action this preseason:
"Yeah, sure. The guys that haven't played, a number of them got a chance to play today. Shaun [Ellis], Josh Barrett, [Shayne] Vereen, Albert [Haynesworth], Mike Wright. So, it was good. Those guys were able to get in there and play. We'll see how it looks. I'm sure that .... gets some hits, get a little soreness, get use to the contact part of it, get used to the game tempo, if you will. Practice is practice and it's great preparation, but there's a higher level in games. I think it was good for them to get that."
On the fact Nate Solder played on both sides of the line, and his thoughts Solder's play this preseason and where he thinks the rookie will end up?
"I mean, I don't know where he'll end up. He's gotten a lot of work in preseason. I think he's going to be a good player. I think he is a good player. I think he's got a lot to learn, like all rookies do. He's playing a tough position, but he's certainly got the physical and mental qualities and the competitiveness and he's a very hard worker. He's made a lot of improvement in, whatever it's been – five weeks he's had here - and he's still got a long way to go. I think he can be a very good player for us if he keeps working hard and continues to improve, which I hope he will."
