PatsFans.com Menu
PatsFans.com - The Hub For New England Patriots Fans
New England Patriots > Patriots Blog

Morning Notes: Highlights From Media Day: Gronk says "Edelman the Worst Dancer"

Ian Logue
Ian Logue on Twitter
Jan 28, 2015 at 6:00am ET

Tuesday's media day for the Patriots featured some interesting quotes from quite a few players as they met with reporters in Arizona leading up to Sunday's showdown with the Seahawks.

There were some entertaining moments, including Rob Gronkowski singing Katy Perry's "Roar", among some other good quotes from Robert Kraft, Darrelle Revis, LeGarrette Blount, and many others.  Here are some of the highlights:

From Patriots owner Robert Kraft:







"I love being around the guys. There isn’t one guy in our locker room that I wouldn’t be pleased to have at our dinner table." - Robert Kraft (USA TODAY Images)

- Kraft spoke at length on Tuesday about the admiration he has for the players in the locker room, saying there's not one player he wouldn't welcome into his own home.  “After my family, my team is my passion," said Kraft.  "I love being around the guys. There isn’t one guy in our locker room that I wouldn’t be pleased to have at our dinner table. They’re great guys. I can relate to all of them. That’s just fun for me. I would pay to do it. I guess I am.”

- He also gave some insight into his thoughts of Pete Carroll's tenure in New England, saying he shoulders part of the blame for their lack of success while Carroll coached the team.  “When I hired Pete, I was coming off my first experience as an owner," said Kraft.  "He’s pretty special to be around. He’s a lot of fun. He’s not your typical head coach in the NFL. He’s also very smart, and especially in defenses, very capable.  Coming off the situation I had been in – although I had a great coach – I believed in more checks and balances like my other businesses, and I think I handicapped Pete from doing as good a job as he could have done because I was coming off a situation I was reacting to. So, then when I was privileged to hire Bill Belichick, I think my evolution as an owner and trying to understand how to be a good owner and run a franchise, I think I matured to the point where I knew how to set it up and then see how the person performed. I think having Bill Belichick as my head coach, I don’t think I could have a better one. I also think my partner, Paul Allen, has done very well with Pete Carroll. So, it will be fun on Sunday.”

- Kraft also said that Rob Gronkowski's demeanor in the locker room is a big asset to his teammates.  “He’s really the same guy," said Kraft when talking about the difference between Gronkowski as a rookie to now.  "In our next life, a lot of people might want to be Rob because he never has a bad day. It’s great for the locker room. When he walks through the locker room, his spirit, sense of camaraderie and no matter how many injuries he’s had, he’s always upbeat and positive. He’s just a great guy to have around. His levity always loosens things up.”

From Cornerback Darrelle Revis:







"We found a way as a team, as a unit, to go out there and stick together and play just tough football and play great ball and we did that." - Darrelle Revis
(USA TODAY Images)


- On Tuesday, Revis talked about the adversity the team dealt with in 2014, and he's proud that the Patriots are in the position their in.  "Our schedule was very tough," said Revis. "It was tough. We played against some great quarterbacks, some great teams. We found a way as a team, as a unit, to go out there and stick together and play just tough football and play great ball and we did that. Overall, we had ups and downs. There was the controversy with deflate-gate and all of that, but that’s adversity. Adversity strikes every time and I think as a team, as a whole, we’ve handled that well. There’s one more game and we are just trying to weed that out and focus on our ultimate goal and that’s holding up the Lombardi Trophy.”

- When asked about the fact Jets fans have to see him wearing a rival uniform, Revis put the blame in that decision on Jets management for letting him go to begin with.  "It’s not really my fault," said Revis.  "I didn’t make the call. Management made the call at that time and they felt it was best to get rid of me. So that’s the situation. That’s how I look at it.”

- Revis also admitted he's been impressed with what he's seen from teammate Devin McCourty.  “Devin, he’s outstanding," said Revis.  "He’s been outstanding before I got here and he’s continuing to be outstanding. I feel like he’s the best free safety in the league. He has so much range out there. He’s so fast. I think the biggest thing I respect him for and appreciate him is how he studies the game and how he knows the game so well. He’s a student of the game and he works so hard at it. It’s crazy. It’s pretty awesome to get feedback from other guys and see how hard they work.”

From Linebacker Rob Ninkovich:

- Ninkovich talked about his opportunity to play in the Super Bowl, and he's excited about Sunday's game.  “Really, having the opportunity is huge," said Ninkovich. "For me, it’s capitalizing on another great opportunity. We worked very hard to get to this point, so we’ve just got to go out there and play well in all three phrases.”







"We worked very hard to get to this point, so we’ve just got to go out there and play well in all three phrases.” - Rob Ninkovich
(USA TODAY Images)

- The veteran told the media Tuesday that he's got a good relationship with former Patriots linebacker Roosevelt Colvin.  “He’s a great guy," said Ninkovich. "He texts me all the time. We talk, and he’s a really good dude.”

- Ninkovich had some kind words for teammate Vince Wilfork, who he admits is one of the players he works very well with.  “Playing with Vince is awesome," said Ninkovich.  "His experience and his ability to communicate with me during the game is huge. When you’re with somebody, when you’re next to somebody for a long time, the communication has to be really good, but also you really don’t have to talk too much to know what he’s trying to do or what I’m trying to do. That’s maybe a hand signal, maybe looking at him and saying, ‘Hey, I’m doing this,’ and just give him a little eye, and he understands what I’m doing. Having him back this year was awesome. There’s nothing like having a big body next to you that can take up two guys.”

- While talking about his mindset for achieving his goal, Ninkovich said he believes that going after what you're passionate about is the key to success.  “Just the never giving up mentality and continuing to fight, going after what you’re passionate about and what you aspire to do," said Ninkovich.  "I think that you can go after your goals and go after things that you want to do. I’m a big believer in putting all your eggs in one basket. Some people say don’t do that, but I put it all on what I want to do. If I don’t make it, then I’m better for going after it.”

- He also admitted that the film "Rudy" is one he watched before the Patriots match-up against Indianapolis.  “I’m not going to lie, I watched it last week before the game just to get me going," said Ninkovich.  "I’ve been watching that movie since I was a kid.”

From DT Vince Wilfork:

- Wilfork said on Tuesday he's been impressed with what he's seen from Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch.  “Yeah, he’s unbelievable," said Wilfork.  "This team is built to run the football. They are built to play football. You look at this time – everything in a football team you want, they have. They have the right mindset, the physicality, they make plays, their playmakers make plays all the time. It seems like they’re always in tune with the game. They’re a really good fourth quarter football team. They play really, really good situational football. We’re going to have to be at our best the whole game to be successful against this team.”







Insert Caption Text Here.
(USA TODAY Images)

- The veteran talked about what it was like to be sidelined last year with his Achilles, and he missed being out there with his teammates.   “Me being out of football last year, it was one of those things that I never imagined being hurt and being away from my teammates and not being able to be on the field with them," said Wilfork. "My main goal this year coming back was to make sure I was healthy and help my team win. I think we all play football because it’s a team effort. It’s not just one individual. We have a bunch of individuals doing their job, which leads to team success. My goal to the team was to come back healthy and better than I was and hopefully we can get the job done moving forward. Everything I thought about in the offseason – the way I trained, everything that I did, everything was set up for the team – not just my myself, but as a team. I knew if I was at my best, everybody around me would be at their best. That’s how I approached this offseason.”

- He admitted on Tuesday that he had read about the odds against him making a proper recovery and being able to play at a high level, but that didn't stop him from proving people wrong.  “I was reading all these stories about a person my age, my size, coming back from this injury," said Wilfork.  "Sometimes I tell people I’m not human. Don’t put me in that stat, and I believe that. That’s one of the most things that really drove me, just to hear all the gallows saying that I can’t come back off of it because of my weight and my age and all that stuff. When I went to work I went to work. My training staff, they got me right. My people back home in Florida got me right, my wife got me right. I literally killed myself every day to make sure I’m all right (coming off his injury), and I think I’m as strong as I’ve ever been, and I’ve never looked back from it.”

- Wilfork had some nice things to say about his wife Bianca, who he credits for pushing him. “She’s always been my rock. No matter what happened – good or bad – she’s always right there and the one person I can always come to and get the truth. Being out of football last year, she was the one person that really pushed me to the limit. She woke me up every day at 5:00, 6:00 in the morning and we’d work out three times a day. Sometimes we’d go to bed at 10:00, 11:00 at night just because she knew how important it is to me, and I thank her for that. She’s the one who really got me in tune and got my mind to saying, ‘What I need to do now in my career is this.’ We looked at it and said, ‘This is going to be a challenge,’ but at the same time, I’m always up for challenges. She pushed me to the max. I’m very grateful to have her in my life.”







"That’s all I know is hard work." - Julian Edelman (USA TODAY Images)

From WR Julian Edelman:

- Edelman had some kind words for his former college coach at Kent State, Doug Martin, on Tuesday, giving him credit for believing in him and helping him get to where he is today.  “Huge part. Coach Martin is one of the only coaches who believed in me that I could play quarterback at a Division I level. He’s a part of where I am at right now, so I am very thankful for him.”

- The veteran receiver talked about Gronkowski, who he said is just a lot of fun to have in the locker room.  “Rob is a great teammate," said Edelman.  "He’s a big goofball, a big baby. All he cares about is football and football. You love having him in the locker room. He makes things fun. He works hard. He’s all about this team. It’s great to have him. He’s one of the best.”

- When asked why the Patriots are so good, Edelman came back with a pretty good answer.  “I don’t know. I think there’s a common factor there, of this guy named Tom Brady," said Edelman.  "He’s pretty good. He and we have some coaches that work their tails off. The scouting department knowing who they want and all of that kind of stuff. They all work together. I don’t know, you’d have to ask Coach (Bill) Belichick on that one.”

- Edelman also talked about where his work ethic comes from, and he credited his parents for that.  “That’s all I know is hard work," said Edelman.  "I’ve had a father who I watched growing up that I wouldn’t see in the morning and he’d come home at 5 o’clock at night and he did that every day. I don’t know if that’s from him or it’s in the blood or whatever, but that’s kind of how we do it in my household. My mom has been a hard worker, whatever she had to do, she did it. I guess it would have to go through there.”

From TE Rob Gronkowski:

- A media member tried to bait the tight end into making a bold prediction for this weekend's match-up.  It didn't work.  His response?  “The game will be on Sunday."







"Definitely don’t take the game for granted anymore." - Rob Gronkowski.
(USA TODAY Images)


- Gronkowski was asked about the experience of being sidelined the past couple of years while he battled injuries, and he told the media he doesn't take football for granted anymore.  “It’s definitely a tough experience, man," said Gronkowski. "Definitely don’t take the game for granted anymore. It’s an honor to be out there on the field with my teammates and all. Throughout the whole year, especially this time of the year, going to the Super Bowl, being out on the practice field, helping my team do its job and just going out and practicing hard. I’m super excited for this game Sunday.”

- When asked about battling Seattle's defense, Gronkowski also said that the opportunity to battle the best defense is "an honor".  “Always. You always want to play against the best," said Gronkowski.  "This is what the Super Bowl is played for, going against the best. It’s a great opportunity to see where we’re at when we get out on the field. Definitely an honor to be going against a very good defense.”

- Who's the worst dancer on the team?  “Julian Edelman," said Gronkowski. "He’s the worst dancer.”  The best?  “Best dancer? I mean, since I’m the only one who really whips out my dance moves, I’d have to go with myself.”

- When asked when he started feeling healthy, Gronkowski said that in Week 5, everything "just kicked in".  “Totally back to my old self," said Gronkowski.  "I mean, coming out of training camp I got competitive and treated my knees all week. It just all kicked in. My body felt good. Going into that Cincinnati game in Week 5, everything just kicked in and I felt good.”

- Gronkowski told reporters that he's liked having the Microsoft Surface tablets on the sideline this season.  “The tablet? You get pictures right there," said Gronkowski.  "You get to see the defense right there, right after the play when you come to the sidelines. That’s a pretty cool technology now. You get to see what defense they’re in, where they’re at and then go out to the next series. It’s all on a tablet. That’s pretty cool.”

From RB LeGarrette Blount:

- The Patriots running back said on Tuesday that he has plenty of respect for the Seahawks defense but he's confident heading into this weekend. “Obviously they’re a pretty good defense," said Blount. "They were good enough to get here, they were good enough to get here last year, so we are going to put a plan together to hopefully make sure we come out victorious.”







"I’m excited to be a part of something special and be a part of the reason why we’re here.” - LeGarrette Blount
(USA TODAY Images)


- Coming off of his big performance against Indianapolis in rainy conditions, Blount said that it meant a lot that the team trusted him to carry the ball as much as he did. “Just the fact that they trusted me enough to carry the ball that many times and put the game in my hands, it means a lot," said Blount. "I’m excited to be a part of something special and be a part of the reason why we’re here.”

- Blount had some kind words for Brady, and feels having him as his quarterback always gives them a good chance to win. “Personally, I feel like he’s probably going to go down as the best quarterback to ever play the game," said Blount. "When he’s on your side, you always have a chance of winning the game, no matter what the score is or who you’re playing against.”

- A lot of has obviously been made of Seattle's defense, but Blount made it clear he's not scared of them by any means. “I don’t care about them being the top defense, that doesn’t bother me," said Blount. "They were good enough to get here, just like we were good enough to get here. They’re not immortal. They can be beaten.”

- The veteran emphasized ball security during his press conference, which is an area he said he's focused on. “I’ve always been told that you can’t win the game without the football," said Blount. "If you give the football away you have no control of the game. We have to continue to protect it and continue to have it in our hands as much as possible and don’t let it hit the ground and don’t let anybody else get ahold of it. You can’t win the game without the football.”

- Blount discussed why he's been such a good fit in New England, but emphasized the fact they have the best QB on their side as one of the key reasons they've been so successful. “No, they’re a winning franchise, before I came apart of it and now that I’m a part of it," said Blount. "They’ve always been a winning franchise and obviously they’ve got the best quarterback in the league on their side and it’s always hard to beat him. Once you have the best quarterback in the league and possibly the best quarterback in NFL history on your side, you always have a chance to win.”


More News Headlines:

MORSE: 5 Thoughts as Wolf Underwhelms with Patriots Free Agency Class

MORSE: 5 Thoughts as Wolf Underwhelms with Patriots Free Agency Class

By: Mark Morse
The final straw broke the camel’s back.  When Tyron Smith signed a one-year deal with the NY Jets, this transaction spelled the doom of rookie…
14 hours ago
Monday Patriots Notebook 3/18: News and Notes

Monday Patriots Notebook 3/18: News and Notes

By: Ian Logue
While there has been some speculation that the club might be willing to entertain offers for the #3 overall pick, it sounds like New England…
16 hours ago
Patriots Add Vikings WR Osborn

Patriots Add Vikings WR Osborn

By: Ian Logue
The Patriots may be having a tough time attracting high-end talent when it comes to wide receivers, but that hasn't stopped Eliot Wolf from trying…
1 day ago
Patriots News 3-17, Free Agency, The Dynasty, Mock Draft 1.0

Patriots News 3-17, Free Agency, The Dynasty, Mock Draft 1.0

By: Steve Balestrieri
The only way I wouldn’t stand pat at #3 is because I’d have serious concerns about either Maye or Daniels being “the guy”
2 days ago
Friday Patriots Notebook 3/15: News and Notes

Friday Patriots Notebook 3/15: News and Notes

By: Ian Logue
The Vikings are among several teams who have been pondering a move up the draft board, but a move on Friday signals that they may…
4 days ago

Search For Links: - CLOSE
For searches with multiple players
add commas (Ex: "Bill Belichick, Devin McCourty")