What I’m hearing at Gillette Stadium: Wednesday buzz (Week 2)
Here is some of the buzz emanating from the New England Patriots on Wednesday, ahead of the team's Week 2 matchup against the Steelers.
On the Wednesday following the Patriots' Week 1 loss, New England continued their preparations for the upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium. Head coach Bill Belichick's focus was on two key Steelers players: quarterback Aaron Rodgers and outside linebacker T.J. Watt. In response to Christian Gonzalez's comment about not wanting to start the season 0-2, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick emphasized the importance of winning every week, especially with the week ahead.
TreVeyon Henderson, who had been sidelined since August 24, returned to practice fully on Wednesday and was listed as a full participant. As for Drake Maye, the Patriots' young cornerback, Vrabel mentioned the need to balance aggression and caution while seeking big plays. He stressed that making the right decisions in split-second situations is crucial and that practice helps instill the habit of making the right choices.
Concerning T.J. Watt, the Steelers' NFL-record 14.5-sack defender, Patriots defensive coordinator personnel Kenton Keith Jr. explained that encountering such a formidable opponent is a thrilling challenge. He highlighted Watt's athleticism, instinct, and ability to exploit defensive weaknesses. The duo further discussed the importance of blocking Watt and adapting to his game plan.
Meanwhile, Patriots quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed confidence in the team's ability to handle the challenge posed by Steelers' quarterback and linebacker, underlining his comfort level with new offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
