Hogan relishes chance
Playoff appearance important to WR
FOXBORO — It’s not difficult for Chris Hogan to recall where he was in late January of last year.
“On a couch watching football, wishing that I was in this position,” Hogan said yesterday.
Hogan was relegated to his recliner for every postseason since entering the NFL in 2011, including the past four (2012-15) in Buffalo. The Patriots poached the restricted free agent from the Bills with an offer sheet last offseason, and Hogan made his long-awaited postseason debut in last weekend’s 34-16 win against the Houston Texans. One thing stuck out to him. “It’s the energy,” Hogan said. “You get out there, and everyone is really energetic. The fans are really intense.”
The moment wasn’t too big for him. Hogan finished with 95 yards on four catches, including a 45-yarder that Tom Brady was forced to get rid of under duress.
Brady was pressured often in the divisional round win, and Hogan offered an evaluation of the chemistry the two have developed when the quarterback is forced to break the pocket and scramble.
“I think it’s pretty good,” Hogan said. “We work on that kind of stuff going back to training camp. Knowing that if the pocket breaks down or anything like that, you’re just going to look for space, and Tom does such an awesome job of finding guys (who are) open. When the pocket breaks down, he starts scrambling around. It’s just about playing football.”
Hogan left the game in the second half with a thigh injury but didn’t seem too worried about it.
“I’m feeling good,” he said. “I just had a little minor setback in the game, but I’m working back every single day, feeling better.”
The Patriots were pulling away from the Texans at that point, and Hogan believed there was a chance he could have returned if the outcome was still in doubt.
“I think there was (a chance) if I had to get back in there, but with the training staff and coaches, it was the right decision,” he said.
Coming off a taste of playoff action, Hogan is eager for the next round to begin.
“I’m beyond excited to be in this position,” Hogan said. “Just to play in the AFC Championship Game at home with this team, I’m just fortunate to be in this position, and I’m excited to be here.”
Upon further review
Questions about Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown’s Facebook stream seen around the world made their way to Gillette.
Brown videotaped his team in the locker room Sunday night after a win against the Chiefs in Kansas City; it included coach Mike Tomlin’s address to the team — and a whole lot more. The Patriots have rules forbidding such social media use, according to special teams captain Matthew Slater.
“We a have a team policy on that,” Slater said. “Strictly enforced, and we go from there.”
None of the Patriots wanted to go into specifics on what the policy entails, but tackle Nate Solder explained the essence of it.
“Everything we do is just to be professional and carry yourself in a way that you would be proud of,” Solder said.
Hogan also shared that coach Bill Belichick reminded the team of the league’s social media policy this week.
Tomlin used an expletive to describe the Patriots in the video, and while some have pointed to that as motivation for the Pats, Slater scoffed at the notion.
“We’re playing in the AFC Championship Game,” Slater said. “If you can’t get motivated to play in this game, then you’re in the wrong sport.”
Honor for Solder
Solder was named the Pats’ recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award, which recognizes players committed to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. “It’s a real honor,” Solder said. Solder has battled a mountain of adversity. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2014. He beat the cancer, but things got even more difficult in 2015, and not just because he tore his biceps. His wife, Lexi, gave birth to their first son, Hudson, and shortly after, the infant was diagnosed with a cancerous Wilms’ tumor in his kidneys.
“It’s been difficult,” Solder said. “For example, Hudson’s at Jimmy Fund this afternoon and he’s meeting with doctors, and that’s kind of been throughout the season, so I have to give a lot of credit to Jesus for getting me through it. A lot of times I feel weak, and through my faith, He’s carried me through a lot of it. I have a fantastic wife and a fantastic family.”
Hudson has put football in perspective for Solder.
“It levels the playing field for all of us because all of us are susceptible to cancer, disease, some of the tough things that so many people struggle with,” Solder said. “So you realize how lucky we are to just have our health and be able to play this game and to do the things that we love doing.”