Thursday Daily Rundown 9/29: New England Patriots News and Notes
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Here’s a look at this morning’s top stories:
Both Quarterbacks Practice Wednesday, Belichick Keeps Lid on Starter – The biggest question leading into Sunday’s game against the Bills is still which quarterback will start for the Patriots, but it sounds like both Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett are each healthy enough to take the field this weekend against the Bills.
Both quarterbacks spoke to the media on Wednesday, but neither was given time at the podium this week, which is generally something done by the starting quarterback.
According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, the two worked on “pocket mobility and lighter throws” during Wednesday’s media availability portion of practice, and Howe reports that despite having his injured thumb taped, Brissett didn’t appear to be bothered by the injury he suffered last week against Houston.
Meanwhile, Garoppolo is less than two weeks removed from the AC joint sprain he suffered during the team’s Week 2 battle against the Dolphins, and given the fact he’s out there shows his toughness given the hit he took in that contest.
Garoppolo said on Wednesday that he’s working hard to get back, and it’s been hard not being out there, especially having sat out the team’s recent win.
“It was different, that’s for sure,” Garoppolo told the media. “Never really been in that situation. So you know, not the funnest thing but it is what it is I guess.”
As for whether or not he’ll play, Garoppolo didn’t offer much and Brissett was mum as well.
“That’s Coach [Bill Belichick]’s decision,” said Brissett. “I can’t make that decision.”
We’ll find out what Belichick’s decision is on Sunday, unless it leaks out beforehand, but after this week, we obviously know who is suiting up next weekend.
Ryan Pretends to be Reporter to Find out if Edelman is Playing QB Sunday – Rex Ryan will do anything to try and get an edge and on Wednesday he pulled a prank in an attempt to solve the Patriots’ quarterback situation.
The Bills head coach pretended to be a reporter named Walt Patulski of the Buffalo News, asking Edelman if he was going to be lining up under center Sunday.
#Bills HC Rex Ryan asks #Patriots Julian Edelman a question as a mystery reporter. pic.twitter.com/sIGFL1FeLv
— Josh Reed (@4JoshReed) September 28, 2016
“Julian, this is, uhh, Walt Patulski from The Buffalo News,” said Ryan, with reporters around him trying not to laugh. “Uhh, are you playing quarterback this week?”
Edelman, who was obviously unaware of what was going replied, “Huh?”
Ryan repeated the question, and Edelman gave the response most people would be expecting.
“Well, I’m going to do whatever the coaches ask me to do,” said Edelman. “So if they ask me to go out and give a glass of water to someone on the sideline, I’m going to do that with a smile on my face if it helps our team win. So you can ask Coach [Bill Belichick] that one.”
“All right, Julian, I will buddy,” said Ryan, who laughed and then walked out of the room.
No Setbacks for Gronkowski – Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was in on just 14 plays on Thursday night against Houston, but it sounds like he’s making progress toward getting back on track as he heads into the team’s 4th regular season contest.
The veteran tight end spoke to the media on Wednesday and said that he feels good, having not taken any steps backward after the limited number of snaps he played against the Texans and sounded pretty upbeat as he continues getting ready for Sunday’s game against the Bills.
“I felt good, definitely,” said Gronkowski about how he felt after last week’s game. “You’re always sore no matter what after playing a game. No matter if you play 10 plays or 70 plays, [you’re] definitely sore like any other game, but no setbacks, no nothing; feeling good and just progressing every day.
Jets Marshall Speaks Out Against the Patriots, But Still Credits Belichick – The Jets Brandon Marshall is still an analyst on the Showtime series “Inside the NFL”, and on this week’s episode he lashed out about the fact the Patriots are in control of the AFC East.
When asked about the Patriots, Marshall, who dealt with a frustrating loss last week that he called “embarrassing”, wasn’t interested in talking about it and said that despite their problems, he still believes in his team.
“I don’t give a ‘D’ about the Patriots,” Marshall said via NJ.com. “Can you feel me? I just care about the Jets. It’s nothing against them. It’s all about us. If we do our job, we’ll be in any game.”
Marshall, whose Jets currently sit at 1-2, tied with both the Dolphins and Bills behind 3-0 New England, went on to credit Belichick but said that his team isn’t ready to concede the AFC East just yet.
“Jet Nation, I am sorry,” Marshall said. “I’m sorry! But he’s the best ever. That’s not going to change anything. That’s not going to change our preparation. We’re not going to give him the division. But he is the best.”
Belichick Mic’d Up Was a Gem – And finally, it’s pretty rare that you see Bill Belichick mic’d up during an NFL game, but the Patriots head coach was wired for sound during the team’s battle with Houston last week and there were some fun moments.
Some of those included a playful exchange with Vince Wilfork before the game, along with some coaching decisions he talked about during the game that ultimately paid dividends in the shutout victory.
If you haven’t seen it, here’s a look:
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