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 newest 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.

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 newest 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.

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.

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.

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.

Mark looks like.

Mark looks like.

For Christian Barmore, possibly getting him.

For Christian Barmore, possibly getting him.

Back into the next how do you feel for him?

Back into the next how do you feel for him?

Yeah, it's a blessing, right, So, I think that for anybody that was put in issues or you know, going through that, it's definitely blessing. First of all, they even caught it, you know, being able to play football, go through different physicals, go to the doctor and recognize it and be able to do something for it. And then the ability to go out there and uh practice is definitely you know a good start and a blessing.

Yeah, it's a blessing, right, So, I think that for anybody that was put in issues or you know, going through that, it's definitely blessing. First of all, they even caught it, you know, being able to play football, go through different physicals, go to the doctor and recognize it and be able to do something for it. And then the ability to go out there and uh practice is definitely you know a good start and a blessing.

I guess the Bears on Sunday it seemed like you guys did a really good job of keeping killed Williams containing when he was kind of screading around. How much did you work on that and how proud of you were of the guys for doing that.

I guess the Bears on Sunday it seemed like you guys did a really good job of keeping killed Williams containing when he was kind of screading around. How much did you work on that and how proud of you were of the guys for doing that.

Yeah, that was a point of emphasis for for us, because you know, scouting him and watching them, that's an elusive guy that can beat you with the legs and with his arm, and so that was definitely one thing where we focused on throughout the week. Early downs and third down, it's just basically containing that guy and making sure that because he was a you know, he's a playmaker and a gunchlean quarterback who wants to you know, use his.

Yeah, that was a point of emphasis for for us, because you know, scouting him and watching them, that's an elusive guy that can beat you with the legs and with his arm, and so that was definitely one thing where we focused on throughout the week. Early downs and third down, it's just basically containing that guy and making sure that because he was a you know, he's a playmaker and a gunchlean quarterback who wants to you know, use his.

Legs to make plays down the field.

Legs to make plays down the field.

So we showed a good amount of tape of that and showed him how we want to rush them and how we wanted to execute it, and the guys did a good job of executing the game plan.

So we showed a good amount of tape of that and showed him how we want to rush them and how we wanted to execute it, and the guys did a good job of executing the game plan.

Is its similar with Stafford this week?

Is its similar with Stafford this week?

I would say, you know, just as well as I know that the legs are different with him and Stafford. Stafford, there's a you know, a Super Bowl winning quarterback who can beat you with his arms all day. Now, he might not be scrambling, but he can definitely make you miss in the pocket. He knows and understands where the rush is coming. And he's a tough, tough guy to tackle too. So for for us, we have our workout out for us. We can't can't just let him sit back there and you know, and read the coverages and see throw into the throw into wide open receivers. So you're talking about a good quarterback who's seen a good amount of defenses over his years.

I would say, you know, just as well as I know that the legs are different with him and Stafford. Stafford, there's a you know, a Super Bowl winning quarterback who can beat you with his arms all day. Now, he might not be scrambling, but he can definitely make you miss in the pocket. He knows and understands where the rush is coming. And he's a tough, tough guy to tackle too. So for for us, we have our workout out for us. We can't can't just let him sit back there and you know, and read the coverages and see throw into the throw into wide open receivers. So you're talking about a good quarterback who's seen a good amount of defenses over his years.

Marcus, When did you first know that Christian's return might be possible sometime this season?

Marcus, When did you first know that Christian's return might be possible sometime this season?

When did I know? Really? For us?

When did I know? Really? For us?

I mean, I just listened to whatever our medical people tell me, you know, And when they told me that he was gonna be ready for a practice, I was like, great, you know, I.

I mean, I just listened to whatever our medical people tell me, you know, And when they told me that he was gonna be ready for a practice, I was like, great, you know, I.

Look at it as look for.

Look at it as look for.

It's a blessing to have him out there period, all right, whatever it is, once you step out there on the football field, for him, I'm proud of I'm happy for him all right, being out there on the field.

It's a blessing to have him out there period, all right, whatever it is, once you step out there on the football field, for him, I'm proud of I'm happy for him all right, being out there on the field.

So that's kind of I look at it.

So that's kind of I look at it.

And then for whenever they told me or whenever you know, I just listen because you know, we'll see how it is today and then we'll go from there.

And then for whenever they told me or whenever you know, I just listen because you know, we'll see how it is today and then we'll go from there.

We mark actually see the long corn path which kind of come about And how do you think that scholars do not?

We mark actually see the long corn path which kind of come about And how do you think that scholars do not?

Yeah, Schooler did a great job.

Yeah, Schooler did a great job.

And when you talk about a player who dominates on uh special teams and who can run down the field closed face tackle, you know, and punt returners, kickoff returners, and that's kind of how I viewed as far as you know, Caleb Williams back there being able to do that with his legs and you know, break off different tackles and escape. You see that over and over again, and Schooler I thought, was a perfect person for it.

And when you talk about a player who dominates on uh special teams and who can run down the field closed face tackle, you know, and punt returners, kickoff returners, and that's kind of how I viewed as far as you know, Caleb Williams back there being able to do that with his legs and you know, break off different tackles and escape. You see that over and over again, and Schooler I thought, was a perfect person for it.

Incorporating more on.

Incorporating more on.

The defensive side of the wall.

The defensive side of the wall.

I guess we'll see. Are you getting more confidence the more you do this? Obviously it's your first year in the NFL as.

I guess we'll see. Are you getting more confidence the more you do this? Obviously it's your first year in the NFL as.

The defensive coordinator in ten games, and can you sort of see your progress and feel like I'm getting more comfortable with what I want when I want.

The defensive coordinator in ten games, and can you sort of see your progress and feel like I'm getting more comfortable with what I want when I want.

Yeah, I think the more you get repset anything, the better you get. And so for me, you know, just like we ask the players to try to get better every day, learn from their mistakes, do to you know, do to things to get better each week. It's the same thing for us coaches, the same thing for me. You know, I try to improve on areas that I need to improve on. I need to learn from the mistakes that I made, you know, throughout the year, and I was and really it's just about being able to adapt to you know, to what you have and what you got and be able to do those different things. I definitely think I'm a better coach than I was when we first started a year, and I just look at it, even when I first started working here, you know, I mean, I'm a better coach than I was eight years ago. You know, I'm a better coach, you know than five years ago. And hopefully I'll be a better coach after the season. And that's a good thing too, Like when you go through different trials and go through the season, like you you're supposed to be getting better, you know, you're supposed to be learning from different things.

Yeah, I think the more you get repset anything, the better you get. And so for me, you know, just like we ask the players to try to get better every day, learn from their mistakes, do to you know, do to things to get better each week. It's the same thing for us coaches, the same thing for me. You know, I try to improve on areas that I need to improve on. I need to learn from the mistakes that I made, you know, throughout the year, and I was and really it's just about being able to adapt to you know, to what you have and what you got and be able to do those different things. I definitely think I'm a better coach than I was when we first started a year, and I just look at it, even when I first started working here, you know, I mean, I'm a better coach than I was eight years ago. You know, I'm a better coach, you know than five years ago. And hopefully I'll be a better coach after the season. And that's a good thing too, Like when you go through different trials and go through the season, like you you're supposed to be getting better, you know, you're supposed to be learning from different things.

If you don't learn.

If you don't learn.

From, you know, the mistakes or the losses or the different things, even though if we won from won the game last week, there's things that I could have done better there, so you're supposed to be learning from it. Otherwise you're not getting anything out of the journey yourself. I go back and reflect on those things. I think I don't look. I think I always keep my eyes for it, but I reflect on the things that I have and I have done, and then try to improve from there. And so and I'm open with those deals and and for me, I don't have all the answers h and I'm not a coach that act likes I have all the answers.

From, you know, the mistakes or the losses or the different things, even though if we won from won the game last week, there's things that I could have done better there, so you're supposed to be learning from it. Otherwise you're not getting anything out of the journey yourself. I go back and reflect on those things. I think I don't look. I think I always keep my eyes for it, but I reflect on the things that I have and I have done, and then try to improve from there. And so and I'm open with those deals and and for me, I don't have all the answers h and I'm not a coach that act likes I have all the answers.

So I'm always I got.

So I'm always I got.

A growth mindset, and so I try to grow from you know, from every point of view that I can to help myself be better and the team team play better and our players to play better.

A growth mindset, and so I try to grow from you know, from every point of view that I can to help myself be better and the team team play better and our players to play better.

In your last two weeks, you've played band covered with more than half of the passing steps, and curious how much you see that knowing your game play defense, it's like, this is how we want to play, this is our identity as a defense.

In your last two weeks, you've played band covered with more than half of the passing steps, and curious how much you see that knowing your game play defense, it's like, this is how we want to play, this is our identity as a defense.

I think it's just based off of what we need to do for that week. So each week is his own week. What do we need to do to stop this team and win the game defensively. So that's kind of how I look at it. Whatever we need to do to win the game, that's what we're going to do defensively. So whether that's plays on with that's play man, whether that's not the pressure where as to pressure, whether play this personnel that personnel. I think that's that's kind of the mindset of us as a coaching staff coach.

I think it's just based off of what we need to do for that week. So each week is his own week. What do we need to do to stop this team and win the game defensively. So that's kind of how I look at it. Whatever we need to do to win the game, that's what we're going to do defensively. So whether that's plays on with that's play man, whether that's not the pressure where as to pressure, whether play this personnel that personnel. I think that's that's kind of the mindset of us as a coaching staff coach.

Last week you mentioned the importance of perimeter run force and DB's getting involved in the run defense.

Last week you mentioned the importance of perimeter run force and DB's getting involved in the run defense.

But it seems like Marcus Jones is kind of popped up in that area, which every week.

But it seems like Marcus Jones is kind of popped up in that area, which every week.

I'm curious, what have you seen from him this season? Is there any chance maybe we see more of an every down roll for him?

I'm curious, what have you seen from him this season? Is there any chance maybe we see more of an every down roll for him?

Yeah, Marcus Jones is a four down player for us, you know, so play on all four down special teams is you know, you see what he can do with the ball in his hands. So for for us, like yeah, like the perimeter run for us, whether that's the corner of the safety, whoever's out there, if the ball is attacking out there and you're a forced player, we always talk about who has who's the responsible for the force in every call and who's respons for cutback. The defenses count on you to force the back the ball back inside and we definitely have made that a point of emphasis and making sure we do a good job with our block destruction, making sure we're getting off blocks with our violent releases, and then not only just you know, getting off blocks, but tackling the ball care which we're paid to do.

Yeah, Marcus Jones is a four down player for us, you know, so play on all four down special teams is you know, you see what he can do with the ball in his hands. So for for us, like yeah, like the perimeter run for us, whether that's the corner of the safety, whoever's out there, if the ball is attacking out there and you're a forced player, we always talk about who has who's the responsible for the force in every call and who's respons for cutback. The defenses count on you to force the back the ball back inside and we definitely have made that a point of emphasis and making sure we do a good job with our block destruction, making sure we're getting off blocks with our violent releases, and then not only just you know, getting off blocks, but tackling the ball care which we're paid to do.

As you guys heard some Patricia and safety this season, what are you seeing from the young safeties and the job that Brian Belichick has done in that group.

As you guys heard some Patricia and safety this season, what are you seeing from the young safeties and the job that Brian Belichick has done in that group.

Yeah, Brian's done a great job with it.

Yeah, Brian's done a great job with it.

And then also I would just say just over the years, we've had some great veteran leaders within within that room that they can look up and look to and and learn from. And so when you're when you get thrown into that room, you can't help but to be better, or you can't help but to learn what to do and how to do it, because you know, it's just when you look at Doug Er, I mean over the past years, I mean, whatever you you want to look at it. In that safety room, there are some smart, tough dudes in that room, and I think that's what we look for the quality of that.

And then also I would just say just over the years, we've had some great veteran leaders within within that room that they can look up and look to and and learn from. And so when you're when you get thrown into that room, you can't help but to be better, or you can't help but to learn what to do and how to do it, because you know, it's just when you look at Doug Er, I mean over the past years, I mean, whatever you you want to look at it. In that safety room, there are some smart, tough dudes in that room, and I think that's what we look for the quality of that.

If you don't have that, you can't play in that room.

If you don't have that, you can't play in that room.

So to answer your question, I think those guy has done a good job with embracing the opportunities that they've got. They've learned from their coach, and they've learned from the veteran players, and I think they're trying to do a good job of not making the same same mistake twice. So happy with what they're doing and then looking forward to what they're going to do in the future.

So to answer your question, I think those guy has done a good job with embracing the opportunities that they've got. They've learned from their coach, and they've learned from the veteran players, and I think they're trying to do a good job of not making the same same mistake twice. So happy with what they're doing and then looking forward to what they're going to do in the future.

Force first impressions, Godway.

Force first impressions, Godway.

Yes, yeah, yesterday I thought like he stepped in like he was here, you know, in training camp for us. So I'm impressed in the way he is in the meeting room, how uh you know, attack practice yesterday willing Lerner ready to do whatever the team asks him to do. So I'm excited to get to know him more as a person, as a man, and then also how it can help us out as a defense.

Yes, yeah, yesterday I thought like he stepped in like he was here, you know, in training camp for us. So I'm impressed in the way he is in the meeting room, how uh you know, attack practice yesterday willing Lerner ready to do whatever the team asks him to do. So I'm excited to get to know him more as a person, as a man, and then also how it can help us out as a defense.

So bestic is if you think or what would be a realistic short of time like kind of Christian to get back off the field today, you guys this week.

So bestic is if you think or what would be a realistic short of time like kind of Christian to get back off the field today, you guys this week.

To really in your opinion publishing this story get that shit. That's a good question.

To really in your opinion publishing this story get that shit. That's a good question.

So to me, like I look at it like this, and I've told Christian this and I'll tell you guys this too. Just remember, manage expectations. You guys should manage the expectation or whatever it is. It's a blessing to be out there on the field. That's what the focus needs to be on. It's a blessing to be out there on the field.

So to me, like I look at it like this, and I've told Christian this and I'll tell you guys this too. Just remember, manage expectations. You guys should manage the expectation or whatever it is. It's a blessing to be out there on the field. That's what the focus needs to be on. It's a blessing to be out there on the field.

Let's go out there and you know, do what you can do.

Let's go out there and you know, do what you can do.

And I think all of us need to manage our expectations on whatever it is. You know you think it is like for me and for him and for you guys, just make sure, like what's the real deal, Like he's out there, all right, he's out there. That's the first step, and then go from there. Let's take one day at a time, one week at a time, one game at a time.

And I think all of us need to manage our expectations on whatever it is. You know you think it is like for me and for him and for you guys, just make sure, like what's the real deal, Like he's out there, all right, he's out there. That's the first step, and then go from there. Let's take one day at a time, one week at a time, one game at a time.

And that's really the story.

And that's really the story.

That's the story for you guys, that's the story from us, that's the story for him. Shouldn't be any pressure on him. Like he's out there, that's what it is. That's I'm happy, daddy, you're out there. Bro, you out there. It's one step, it's fifty snaps. Don't play this game. Whatever it is, perfect. It's better than not being out there, right, It's better than not being able to play football again. So that's kind of how I look at It.

That's the story for you guys, that's the story from us, that's the story for him. Shouldn't be any pressure on him. Like he's out there, that's what it is. That's I'm happy, daddy, you're out there. Bro, you out there. It's one step, it's fifty snaps. Don't play this game. Whatever it is, perfect. It's better than not being out there, right, It's better than not being able to play football again. So that's kind of how I look at It.

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. For 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. Am I lying to anybody here?

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. For 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. 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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Search Patriots Playbook anywhere you get your podcast.