Thuney on guard
Rookie plays it cool in surreal campaign
FOXBORO — If Joe
Thuney were a quarterback, you’d swear his story was scripted.
The Patriots took the North Carolina State product 78th overall in the 2016 draft, and Thuney not only made the team, but played his way into a starting job in training camp.
During his rookie season he looked like a veteran; no Patriot played more snaps. Thuney was a key cog in a team that went 14-2, and continued to play well as the Pats cruised through their first two playoff games.
Now the third-rounder is going to start in a Super Bowl.
It all sounds a bit surreal, but Thuney isn’t a quarterback, he’s a guard, and his story is a real one.
“One at a time,” Thuney said of the accomplishments. “After I got drafted I just wanted to make the team. That was all I was concerned about. Just trying to pick up the playbook and trying to do the best I could out there. I wasn’t thinking all down the road like this, it was all just dayby-day stuff. “So, this is pretty cool.” It hasn’t really sunk in that he’s going to play for a Lombardi Trophy next Sunday.
“It’s still kind of hitting me,” Thuney said, “But I’m just trying to put things into perspective and not make too much of it. But
it is a huge game and we’re looking forward to it.”
The offensive line has seen a vast improvement this season. The starting five of Thuney, Nate Solder, Marcus Cannon,
David Andrews and Shaq Mason formed in training camp and jelled down the stretch. Thuney credited those around him for his success.
“It’s been a great group of guys. Couldn’t have walked into a better O-line room, so it’s been awesome. I think that chemistry is showing,” Thuney said. “It’s great to just be able to know what to expect from the guys next to you.” That room is run by Dante Scarnecchia, and it’s easy to see why the Patriots coaxed the offensive line coach out of retirement. Scarnecchia has helped mold Thuney into the player that’s exceeded expectations.
“He demands a lot of his players and he’s very detailed,” Thuney said. “Loves the game, knows so much about the game. It’s been great to play for him and just try to improve.”
Ninkovich: Film buff
If someone is looking for
Rob Ninkovich, they should probably check the film room. With an extra week to prepare, the defensive end says he’s been keeping busy.
“There’s a lot of tape out there throughout the season so you just really try to take advantage of that,” Ninkovich said.
It sounds like he’s trying to watch all of it.
“I’ll sit there and just, rewind, play. Rewind, play. Rewind, play. Same play maybe 25 times,” Ninkovich said. “I’ll take notes and I’ll look at stances. Just everything that goes into playing the game.”
The Falcons’ Vic Beasley led the NFL in sacks this season and is an edge rusher like Ninkovich. With the extra week, will he watch any tape on Beasley?
“Not really,” Ninkovich said. “Watching them is not going to help me. So I’ll watch their offense. That’s what I’ll be going against.”
Welcome back
Kicker Stephen Gostkowski returned to practice after missing two days in a row with an illness. Special teamer Nate Ebner was also a participant for the first time since sustaining a concussion in the AFC Championship Game. …
Matthew Slater may be a Pro Bowler, but the special teams captain claims he can still go incognito around here. When asked what fans say to him in public, Slater said, nothing.
“Oh people don’t recognize me out in the streets,” Slater said. “I have my glasses on, I’m just going about my business.”