Pats from the Past. Tune in is Matt Smith and Paul Perillo offer in depth interviews with some of the greatest players and coaches in New England Patriots history.

Pats from the Past. Tune in is Matt Smith and Paul Perillo offer in depth interviews with some of the greatest players and coaches in New England Patriots history.

Joined by the newitch member of the Patriots Hall Fame Mike Rabol.

Joined by the newitch member of the Patriots Hall Fame Mike Rabol.

Find out what led to some of the greatest moments in franchise history and unique behind the scenes insight.

Find out what led to some of the greatest moments in franchise history and unique behind the scenes insight.

And please to be joined by former Patriot quarterback Brian coy Or.

And please to be joined by former Patriot quarterback Brian coy Or.

Joined by number thirty seven on your scorecard, but number one in our hearts at least Rodney Harrison.

Joined by number thirty seven on your scorecard, but number one in our hearts at least Rodney Harrison.

Good to be home. Good to see you guys.

Good to be home. Good to see you guys.

Search for Pats in the past anywhere you get your podcast?

Search for Pats in the past anywhere you get your podcast?

Is that what we're doing? Good? Thanks, she's getting up here. Oh man.

Is that what we're doing? Good? Thanks, she's getting up here. Oh man.

The front is special. It's a group of young, talented players. They're playing with a lot of confidence right now. They're physical, they're violent or fast.

The front is special. It's a group of young, talented players. They're playing with a lot of confidence right now. They're physical, they're violent or fast.

You know.

You know.

I think if you had to circle an area you know for them that you would highlight. It's a defensive line.

I think if you had to circle an area you know for them that you would highlight. It's a defensive line.

How do you see you, guys, ybious having an identity now on offense as to what you are just trying to get better at that?

How do you see you, guys, ybious having an identity now on offense as to what you are just trying to get better at that?

I think so.

I think so.

I think the thing that when you when you form an identity. If you don't, you know, make your own identity, people make it for you. So our biggest thing with our identity is consistency right now. You know, we've had ups and downs. We took a step back last week, we took a step forward in this past game. So I think we just need more consistency overall. But I think I think we know who we are. I think we know the formula to win games. We just have to do on a consistent level.

I think the thing that when you when you form an identity. If you don't, you know, make your own identity, people make it for you. So our biggest thing with our identity is consistency right now. You know, we've had ups and downs. We took a step back last week, we took a step forward in this past game. So I think we just need more consistency overall. But I think I think we know who we are. I think we know the formula to win games. We just have to do on a consistent level.

To the one we see the relationship developments being the outfits of line, and I know it's still kind of a working part together and community there and the guys in the back of a lot of right, yeah, it.

To the one we see the relationship developments being the outfits of line, and I know it's still kind of a working part together and community there and the guys in the back of a lot of right, yeah, it.

Goes hand in hand.

Goes hand in hand.

You know, those guys work together, and obviously those big guys are going to open up the holes, and I think our backs have done a nice job of finding the holes that are there.

You know, those guys work together, and obviously those big guys are going to open up the holes, and I think our backs have done a nice job of finding the holes that are there.

Really proud of those guys.

Really proud of those guys.

Are The offensive line got a game ball last week from their performance. You know, being able to run the ball thirty one times is what we need to do in those situations. We felt like we could come out and would really challenge those guys. Earlier in the week to dominate the line of scrimmage in the pass and the run, and I thought they held up to the end of the bar. But you know, running backs and lineman, those are like peas in a pod. They work hand in hand.

Are The offensive line got a game ball last week from their performance. You know, being able to run the ball thirty one times is what we need to do in those situations. We felt like we could come out and would really challenge those guys. Earlier in the week to dominate the line of scrimmage in the pass and the run, and I thought they held up to the end of the bar. But you know, running backs and lineman, those are like peas in a pod. They work hand in hand.

It seems like you guys a constant consistency on the offensive line, drug saying he's hopeful that the same group as last week. Do you think you can start to get some of the same consistency and a personnel at wide receiver as well.

It seems like you guys a constant consistency on the offensive line, drug saying he's hopeful that the same group as last week. Do you think you can start to get some of the same consistency and a personnel at wide receiver as well.

I think so.

I think so.

I think we've kind of zeroed in on who we're going to work with on game day. I think that that'll show more as we go forward. But yeah, consistency again and continuity is something we're still striving to get. I think hopefully this week we'll have a lineup in there that looked similar to last week as far as offensive line goes. It was some surprise that Hendrick didn't play last week after caught before for forty one Tennessee.

I think we've kind of zeroed in on who we're going to work with on game day. I think that that'll show more as we go forward. But yeah, consistency again and continuity is something we're still striving to get. I think hopefully this week we'll have a lineup in there that looked similar to last week as far as offensive line goes. It was some surprise that Hendrick didn't play last week after caught before for forty one Tennessee.

It went into that decision and might be the place.

It went into that decision and might be the place.

Yeah, we're gonna put the guys out there that that give us the best chance, and you know, Kendrick did some really good things in that game.

Yeah, we're gonna put the guys out there that that give us the best chance, and you know, Kendrick did some really good things in that game.

He's a big part of this offense.

He's a big part of this offense.

Just felt like there were some areas where he could improve and that was kind of based on that. But he'll be a big part of us moving forward. He brings a lot of energy to the field and his efforts exceptional. So you know, that's just the way it went last week, changed week to week right now, but you know he's a big part of our team.

Just felt like there were some areas where he could improve and that was kind of based on that. But he'll be a big part of us moving forward. He brings a lot of energy to the field and his efforts exceptional. So you know, that's just the way it went last week, changed week to week right now, but you know he's a big part of our team.

We have guarding continuity in creating that and enjoying that over the course of time.

We have guarding continuity in creating that and enjoying that over the course of time.

How much does that expand your play fall in other words, how much is you play with the limited At this point.

How much does that expand your play fall in other words, how much is you play with the limited At this point.

I would say there's there's portions of it you don't feel comfortable running just because all the moving pieces. But as we continue to have the same lineup out there week after week, we really understand what these guys do well. And then again as we always try to put them in the best position to be successful, so you know, maybe a play gets run only to the right in a certain situation and not to the left. There's things now that we're starting to understand more about our players now that we get the same groups out there week after week.

I would say there's there's portions of it you don't feel comfortable running just because all the moving pieces. But as we continue to have the same lineup out there week after week, we really understand what these guys do well. And then again as we always try to put them in the best position to be successful, so you know, maybe a play gets run only to the right in a certain situation and not to the left. There's things now that we're starting to understand more about our players now that we get the same groups out there week after week.

With seven wide receivers, and it seems like none has really like really established himself, and they're all trying to prove themselves.

With seven wide receivers, and it seems like none has really like really established himself, and they're all trying to prove themselves.

Has that made it harder as.

Has that made it harder as.

An offense instead of having two guys who you know you can count on as like the one in.

An offense instead of having two guys who you know you can count on as like the one in.

Number one and two.

Number one and two.

Everything's a challenge and it does give you, you know, some different challenges for sure. But I think they're all good football players and they all do things very well when their individual skill sets. So it's our job as the staff is to put those guys in positions to be successful.

Everything's a challenge and it does give you, you know, some different challenges for sure. But I think they're all good football players and they all do things very well when their individual skill sets. So it's our job as the staff is to put those guys in positions to be successful.

And I think we're getting to see that now.

And I think we're getting to see that now.

You know, Booty's guy that's come on, played really well for us too, Really happy with his play. You know, Polk's going to get going again as we move forward. Pops, mister consistent, you know, makes big plays for us all over the field.

You know, Booty's guy that's come on, played really well for us too, Really happy with his play. You know, Polk's going to get going again as we move forward. Pops, mister consistent, you know, makes big plays for us all over the field.

So we're getting closer.

So we're getting closer.

Sean, he's been the leading snap get are at wide receiver. Is that based on his consistency or is the position he plays with the offense back here in that as.

Sean, he's been the leading snap get are at wide receiver. Is that based on his consistency or is the position he plays with the offense back here in that as.

Well a little bit of both.

Well a little bit of both.

I think he's our most consistent receiver right now making plays on the ball in the past game. You know, I think that's that has something to do with it and where he plays.

I think he's our most consistent receiver right now making plays on the ball in the past game. You know, I think that's that has something to do with it and where he plays.

Also, let me talk about identity and formula.

Also, let me talk about identity and formula.

How much of this season has been trying to fit to the vision you've had from the get go, like the way your system is supposed to operate versus.

How much of this season has been trying to fit to the vision you've had from the get go, like the way your system is supposed to operate versus.

We're figuring out the talent we have and the best way to.

We're figuring out the talent we have and the best way to.

Move forward with that.

Move forward with that.

Well, everybody has a system, you know, and if it doesn't work with the pieces and then you're you know, you're going in the wrong direction. So it's our job to find the right pieces and the right schemes to put those guys in successful situations. There's areas where I thought we could, you know, within this offensive scheme, we could, we could do more, you know, but sometimes you're just that those don't fit the skill set of.

Well, everybody has a system, you know, and if it doesn't work with the pieces and then you're you know, you're going in the wrong direction. So it's our job to find the right pieces and the right schemes to put those guys in successful situations. There's areas where I thought we could, you know, within this offensive scheme, we could, we could do more, you know, but sometimes you're just that those don't fit the skill set of.

The guys at times. For us, you know, we're a big line up front.

The guys at times. For us, you know, we're a big line up front.

I think we can move people off the ball, so you know, sometimes you get away from some of the other schemes in your system, just again to fit the skill set of your players.

I think we can move people off the ball, so you know, sometimes you get away from some of the other schemes in your system, just again to fit the skill set of your players.

It seems obviously there's a lot of good things, but when it comes the turnovers, like what time do you kind of get that message across to try to cut down to those times?

It seems obviously there's a lot of good things, but when it comes the turnovers, like what time do you kind of get that message across to try to cut down to those times?

Well, that.

Well, that.

I mean, that's a play he'll that'll haunt him for the rest of the season. That was as easy as it gets to throw it away over the head of the tight end there and just short armed it a little bit and got stuck. But you know, other than that, we got to take care of the ball in the pocket. From a ball security standpoint, I think we've worked out each week moving forward, not worried about it. You know, he's a guy that he's gonna make plays down the field, and he's gonna, you know, have plays that are made by the defense down the field. That's just the mentality of him as a passer. But that one the other day, I'm not not worried at all about. That was just a you know, AerR and passed by him. That that you know, ten ten, ten times he's throwing that over the head.

I mean, that's a play he'll that'll haunt him for the rest of the season. That was as easy as it gets to throw it away over the head of the tight end there and just short armed it a little bit and got stuck. But you know, other than that, we got to take care of the ball in the pocket. From a ball security standpoint, I think we've worked out each week moving forward, not worried about it. You know, he's a guy that he's gonna make plays down the field, and he's gonna, you know, have plays that are made by the defense down the field. That's just the mentality of him as a passer. But that one the other day, I'm not not worried at all about. That was just a you know, AerR and passed by him. That that you know, ten ten, ten times he's throwing that over the head.

And getting back in the huddle for a few Absolutely. Yeah, he's still growing, he's still a pop.

And getting back in the huddle for a few Absolutely. Yeah, he's still growing, he's still a pop.

So that'll be one that I'm sure it'll haunt him for the rest of the year and he'll learn from moving forward. That thing we always say, uh, if nobody's opened, there's one guy that's always open, and that's the tuba player in road four, So I like to see him put that ball right in the tuba.

So that'll be one that I'm sure it'll haunt him for the rest of the year and he'll learn from moving forward. That thing we always say, uh, if nobody's opened, there's one guy that's always open, and that's the tuba player in road four, So I like to see him put that ball right in the tuba.

Speak of that.

Speak of that.

What was it like to practice the reverse sleep flicker, bubble screen or what have you do? Try to get it down pat.

What was it like to practice the reverse sleep flicker, bubble screen or what have you do? Try to get it down pat.

That's fun, that's you know, you should always have something in for the guys. I always felt like, you know, if you have a trick player too, and the guys kind of light up when you call it in practice. Sometimes those plays spend weeks in the hopper, we call it, and just getting it ready, getting it ready, getting it ready, and then using it at the right time. That play, historically in my career of calling that one or watching that one called, you would expect a huge game based on the numbers out there.

That's fun, that's you know, you should always have something in for the guys. I always felt like, you know, if you have a trick player too, and the guys kind of light up when you call it in practice. Sometimes those plays spend weeks in the hopper, we call it, and just getting it ready, getting it ready, getting it ready, and then using it at the right time. That play, historically in my career of calling that one or watching that one called, you would expect a huge game based on the numbers out there.

But forever reason, I think it's about eight yards.

But forever reason, I think it's about eight yards.

But it's fun to practice, you know, going against a team like that that runs to the ball, hard misdirection with an area we thought we could, you know, maybe make some plays.

But it's fun to practice, you know, going against a team like that that runs to the ball, hard misdirection with an area we thought we could, you know, maybe make some plays.

As you mentioned saw from some perspective about the league that's been around a while. How how much when you attribute the defense evolution the league to coach McVay specifically done with with his system and obviously the copycats that have bold I entertained part of.

As you mentioned saw from some perspective about the league that's been around a while. How how much when you attribute the defense evolution the league to coach McVay specifically done with with his system and obviously the copycats that have bold I entertained part of.

Large retreat himself.

Large retreat himself.

But you know, defensively, yeah, reaction to his system and how effective it was as soon as he got there.

But you know, defensively, yeah, reaction to his system and how effective it was as soon as he got there.

Yeah. No, you talked about defensive systems.

Yeah. No, you talked about defensive systems.

Change, how much you ascribe to him versus Yeah.

Change, how much you ascribe to him versus Yeah.

No, I mean their defenses they do some unique things for sure. You know, defensively they present problems. Again, their front guys are the best guys, so they give you some different looks that I haven't seen this year or in years past. There's some similarities and the personnel groupings, but the structure of the defense is a little bit different and multiple throughout the course of the game. So they've definitely evolved in the system. I think it's unique on how they run their system.

No, I mean their defenses they do some unique things for sure. You know, defensively they present problems. Again, their front guys are the best guys, so they give you some different looks that I haven't seen this year or in years past. There's some similarities and the personnel groupings, but the structure of the defense is a little bit different and multiple throughout the course of the game. So they've definitely evolved in the system. I think it's unique on how they run their system.

Marsa Jacobs kind of fame outs perhaps in seasons.

Marsa Jacobs kind of fame outs perhaps in seasons.

Is that true.

Is that true.

Yeah, No, He's just a guy that shows up. He works, He's played left, he's played right. He's done great things.

Yeah, No, He's just a guy that shows up. He works, He's played left, he's played right. He's done great things.

Uh.

Uh.

He won the pick Up Award this week, so hats off to him for being a great teammate and running down I think he had eleven pickups on the day, so that's something we're tracking. He's playing extremely well for a guy that you know, wasn't with us in training camp in the OTA, so to be able to plug him in and have some success, it's a really credit to Scott Peters and Coogler and McCarthy in the old line room getting him ready to play each week.

He won the pick Up Award this week, so hats off to him for being a great teammate and running down I think he had eleven pickups on the day, so that's something we're tracking. He's playing extremely well for a guy that you know, wasn't with us in training camp in the OTA, so to be able to plug him in and have some success, it's a really credit to Scott Peters and Coogler and McCarthy in the old line room getting him ready to play each week.

It's a really good season.

It's a really good season.

Defense Shuless guy who's been under different four games. He d to LA last week. He's certainly influenced by Rod Marinelli.

Defense Shuless guy who's been under different four games. He d to LA last week. He's certainly influenced by Rod Marinelli.

He's a tough to.

He's a tough to.

Go against, the guy who really doesn't have a kind of poor philosophy in the.

Go against, the guy who really doesn't have a kind of poor philosophy in the.

Censer you know come from.

Censer you know come from.

Yeah, No, I think it's definitely him putting his players in the best position to be successful. There's a lot of defense out there, you know, as you go through each week, he kind of highlight the things that they do, and they do a lot. So our PowerPoint was longer than usual.

Yeah, No, I think it's definitely him putting his players in the best position to be successful. There's a lot of defense out there, you know, as you go through each week, he kind of highlight the things that they do, and they do a lot. So our PowerPoint was longer than usual.

Yeah, So it's it's.

Yeah, So it's it's.

Sometimes it's easy to hone in on a guy that only has one history. Uh, it's tough for when a guy he's got multiple backgrounds. And really that's a tribute to him for using bits and pieces of stuff that he's learned over the course of the years through Wade Phillips.

Sometimes it's easy to hone in on a guy that only has one history. Uh, it's tough for when a guy he's got multiple backgrounds. And really that's a tribute to him for using bits and pieces of stuff that he's learned over the course of the years through Wade Phillips.

Uh, you know, some Fangio in there as well.

Uh, you know, some Fangio in there as well.

You see a lot of different influences and they do a lot of things.

You see a lot of different influences and they do a lot of things.

Its earlier in the season.

Its earlier in the season.

I got to the first test game. You said Drake's footwork was a work in progress, and then you just want to make sure he didn't refer back to what.

I got to the first test game. You said Drake's footwork was a work in progress, and then you just want to make sure he didn't refer back to what.

Have you seen from a big growth?

Have you seen from a big growth?

Yeah, some really plus pluses, double pluses on some of the footwork from this past game.

Yeah, some really plus pluses, double pluses on some of the footwork from this past game.

Really understanding.

Really understanding.

There was a play there late in the game to Hooper that was like clinic tape. So when you take it off, you'll you'll put that into that concept teach tape of what to do with your feet and your eyes and everything.

There was a play there late in the game to Hooper that was like clinic tape. So when you take it off, you'll you'll put that into that concept teach tape of what to do with your feet and your eyes and everything.

So he's really just continuing to grow. Three final questions talked a lot.

So he's really just continuing to grow. Three final questions talked a lot.

Yeah, and those situations right shape.

Yeah, and those situations right shape.

That's clinic tape that went right on the you know the church. We called it a church situation.

That's clinic tape that went right on the you know the church. We called it a church situation.

So we got to get get the play snapped, get the completion, get down and clock it. Sixteen seconds is about the cutoff. So we were hanging on by a thread there, but everybody understood the situation. We practiced the situation multiple times. We walked through it on Saturday, the exact same situation and came away with three points.

So we got to get get the play snapped, get the completion, get down and clock it. Sixteen seconds is about the cutoff. So we were hanging on by a thread there, but everybody understood the situation. We practiced the situation multiple times. We walked through it on Saturday, the exact same situation and came away with three points.

I was really proud of the guys that come.

I was really proud of the guys that come.

From Yeah, there's nothing that frustrates me more than watching guys not pick each other up off the ground. So we asked these guys to be great teammates, run of the football. When you run of the ball, good things happen. And then while you're there, let's get our guys off the ground. You know, we asked the ball carries. If you're on the ground, stay down. Somebody's coming to get you. And that's that's the mentality that we have. We play for each other.

From Yeah, there's nothing that frustrates me more than watching guys not pick each other up off the ground. So we asked these guys to be great teammates, run of the football. When you run of the ball, good things happen. And then while you're there, let's get our guys off the ground. You know, we asked the ball carries. If you're on the ground, stay down. Somebody's coming to get you. And that's that's the mentality that we have. We play for each other.

We call it for our brothers in the room, and we.

We call it for our brothers in the room, and we.

I mean, I think we had eighty five guys that ran to the football to get their guys off the ground. We had fifty eight different players that got picked up off the ground. I don't know if you see that across the league. And that's something that we take great pride in here and building this culture.

I mean, I think we had eighty five guys that ran to the football to get their guys off the ground. We had fifty eight different players that got picked up off the ground. I don't know if you see that across the league. And that's something that we take great pride in here and building this culture.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Patriots Playbook join John Rook as he brings you all the latest Patriots Talk, an expert commentary direct from Patriots HQ. The show features interviews with New England and Opponent Beat writers that bring you a unique media view of the state of the team.

Patriots Playbook join John Rook as he brings you all the latest Patriots Talk, an expert commentary direct from Patriots HQ. The show features interviews with New England and Opponent Beat writers that bring you a unique media view of the state of the team.

But where the Patriots are concerned, Let's just get one thing done and let's get it done right, and then.

But where the Patriots are concerned, Let's just get one thing done and let's get it done right, and then.

We can worry about versatility.

We can worry about versatility.

Am I lying to anybody here.

Am I lying to anybody here.

Let's just get one thing done.

Let's just get one thing done.

Let's get one thing done right, and then we can move along.

Let's get one thing done right, and then we can move along.

That's kind of my biggest thing.

That's kind of my biggest thing.

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