Here’s what Patriots safety Kyle Dugger had to say as he spoke to reporters on July 25, 2025:
On how nice it is to be back to something resembling football:
“It feels really good. Really good to be out there.”
On what the most important is for him to get down during the first few days of practice:
“Just the technique, the details, play calls, making sure there are no mental errors, making sure we’re executing the plays, how they’re supposed to be ran. That was really the biggest thing, just the mental part.”
On how he’s feeling since he didn’t get to participate in the early part of camp:
“I feel really, really good. I feel great.”
On when it clicked for him that he was back to where he needed to be:
“A while ago. Can’t really put time on it, but it feels good now, so that’s all I’m worried about.”
On what excites him about this defense:
“It’s a lot to be excited about. The versatility is big, and right now, guys are really focused and ready to go. And that’s always exciting. Guys are ready to learn and grow and get better. Everybody’s open, flexible. And so that’s really exciting.”
On the fact competition begins next week when the pads come on and the benefits of going up against a guy like Stefon Diggs:
“It just makes us that much better. The better looks we get from the offense, the more that challenges us, the more we challenge each other, the more we see in practice, the better it makes us all for game day. So that’s all it is. Higher level of practice makes us better.”
On with practices like this, how challenging it is with the mental engagement with the coaches to go through the walk-through:
“It’s super important. He’s helping us to take care of our bodies, trying to really allow us to stay healthy and things like that. So we got to take advantage of that and really be locked in mentally so that we don’t let anything fall through the cracks.”
On the fact this is his first time with this defense and what the biggest differences are from the one he knew previously compared to the one he’s learning and playing in now:
“Just terminology, but it’s all football. So at the end of the day, that’s how I look at it. But the terminology is obviously, the language is a little different. That’s the biggest thing.”
On what he likes about it:
“I really like the versatility as far as we kind of do a lot of different things. And so that kind of makes us unpredictable, which is always great. So I think that’s my favorite thing right now.”
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On what it’s like having Terrell Williams back in the building and his initial impressions of him:
“Good. My first impression is great energy, and he’s really locked in and focused. Those are the first things that stick out to me, but the energy and the focus is there.”
On his impressions of Robert Spillane:
“He’s really detail-oriented. Definitely always knowing what he’s doing. Very smart player, and that just helps everybody around him. So his intelligence is the first thing I notice, and I love playing with smart players, as everybody does.”
On the fact it looked like he, Robert Spillane and Jabrill Peppers were working on something earlier in practice and what the value was of that drill:
“Just getting better. Communication things we’re going to be doing when the bullets are live. So just sharpening the tools, tool basket, and getting that communication, getting used to playing together, things like that.”
On the fact he played through a lot of things last year and how excited he is to show everyone who he is, as opposed to having to play through the ankle and not be himself last year:
“I’m not really thinking about it like that. I’m just excited about the year, excited about the team, and I am very excited to be healthy. But I’m not thinking about last year and showing people and things like that. I’m just really focused on having a great year with his defense, with his team.”
On with all the changes going on throughout the building, how he would describe what’s most different:
“I can’t really pick out one thing. It’s a lot of differences, but it’s a new year. That’s the biggest difference if you want to get technical. But, yeah, a new beginning, fresh start. And that’s the biggest difference, the most important thing.”
On if he feels the defensive back room is anywhere closer to in terms of culture:
“We’re definitely close. You said as far as last year?”
Yes, compared to last year around this time:
“Like I said, I can’t really compare to last year. We’re definitely close, and we’re getting that camaraderie going, which is huge. And guys are ready to really grow and learn together. And it’s definitely there. It’s a veteran group. And so, yeah, I say we’re definitely getting closer as the time goes on. Yeah.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This transcript was done based on the available footage and is subject to typographical errors. If you spot anything, please let me know in the comments below.)
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
