jmt57

Not unusual that one line from the response to the reporter's question makes the headline and twists the context of the conversation. And we wonder why the Pats' coaching staff instructs the players on how to react to the media and watch what they say?

I'm sure this will be twisted so that the Jets can play the disrespect card.

Lloyd: 'We're not playing against Joe Namath' - Extra Points - Boston.com

For Lloyd, it'll be his first taste of the Patriots-Jets rivalry. He was asked if he knew much about the heated history between the teams.

"No, I don't," Lloyd said. "Do you want to enlighten me?"

Told that it likely resembles any kind of rivalry game Lloyd has played in, he was able to put the game in the proper context.

"I think the best thing is just approach it like a normal game," Lloyd said. "As a player, I think the build-up is more so for the fans and the history, but these are current teams, current rosters. We’re not playing against Joe Namath or anything like that.

"It’s a game, it’s an important game, but from our standpoint, we’re just going to prepare for it like it’s a regular game."

In Lloyd's defense the last time there was so little buildup for an upcoming Pats-Jets game Rich Kotite was their coach and Bill Parcells had not yet left the Pats for greener pastures.





By comparison another player that has been here for a few years, Matthew Slater, sees it completely differently:

Patriots-Jets has the feeling of a college rivalry, says Slater - Extra Points - Boston.com

"The rivalry here, it doesn't really matter what the records are,'' Slater said. "It just so happens that we're 3-3 at this point, but they want to beat us and we want to beat them. We don’t have too many fond feelings towards them and the same goes for them; they’re not too crazy about us, either.

"I think in the spirit of the game it’s good to have rivalries like this – for the popularity of game – to see two good teams get after it. I’m sure it’ll be no different this week.''

Do rivalry games have an amazing restorative effect on injured players, pushing them to get back on the field?

"Oh definitely,'' Slater said. "You don’t want to miss this one, if you can help it. We know what it means to our fans, to this city, and this organization. The same goes for their fans and their city. It’s a big game, especially with the division as close as it is right now. It’s big for both of us. I expect it to be a very competitive game on Sunday.''

Uncle Rico

probably weren't going to throw to him the first series anyway ...

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"If they sought to intimidate us, to terrorize us, to shake us from ... the values that make us who we are, as Americans -- well, it should be pretty clear by now that they picked the wrong city to do it. Not here in Boston. Not here in Boston."
—President Barack Obama, April 18, 2013



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fnordcircle

I think it's pretty clear that he is saying that it is about the here and now not in previous seasons.

I don't read that as him saying 'Sanchez is no Namath'.

Though, to be fair this board would be rip**** if the names and teams were swapped.

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Froob

Yeah no kidding. Although Brady is no Grogan

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Jersey here we come!(and not to play the jesters
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Salva135

Good. Lloyd's a vet who hasn't spent much time dealing with the AFC East, and is less likely to tighten his sphincter if the game is close. Just another game. I don't think it is for many other players involved in this game, as professional as they are.

Haley

Lloyd has had less time here to develop the Belichickian dialect of null speech as Slater. But I think what this says most is that Lloyd isn't yet emotionally invested in this rivalry (for better or for worse). To him, it is just another team ...for now.

LivinLovin&Breathin_Brady

I like Slater's answer better, it's closer to the truth.

PATRIOTSFANINPA

Namath right now in a drunken stupor could pass for 300 against this secondary

PATRIOTSFANINPA

What would the Jets counter that statement with?.....

'We're not playing against Steve Grogan'?

IllegalContact

so what happens wif brady get hit during the jets game, gets hurt, and mallett comes in and wins the game and then 6 in a row while brady is out healing?

all you karma people who are so smitten with past successes translating to future ones.......do you keep rooting for mallett?

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