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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
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
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."
"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.''
"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.''
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