Play leads to big stage
Season a ‘blessing’ for Flowers
HOUSTON — Thanks to injuries, Patriots defensive lineman Trey Flowers was an afterthought during his rookie season in 2015. This week, due to Flowers’ incredible surge, he was given his own podium during Super Bowl LI media availability.
How’s that for a meteoric rise?
“It’s definitely a blessing,” Flowers said from his perch. “Anytime you look back at it and know that you were on the other side, it’s definitely a blessing. I just assess that to the hard work and the prayers I say at night. It’s definitely a blessing.”
Flowers has been an integral member of the Patriots defense throughout the season, but he has been particularly valuable lately with all seven of his sacks coming since Week 8, including six from an interior rushing position. That’ll be vital tomorrow against a Falcons offensive line that is vulnerable up the middle.
Again, it’s a testament to Flowers’ rapid progression. He was shelved for all but a game last year with shoulder and knee injuries, and the Patriots sent him for surgery in December to get a jump on his second season.
That obviously paid off, as he led the Patriots with seven sacks and an additional 10 quarterback hits in the regular season. He has a team-best three quarterback hits in the playoffs to go along with a pressure and a drawn holding penalty.
So he deserved that podium Thursday. And even though this experience had yet to envelop him, he tried to take a moment to reflect on the journey.
“I can’t say it has (sunk in),” Flowers said. “You think about it. You’ve got a lot of family who let you know how serious it is, how rare it is to be able to even play in a Super Bowl. To me, I guess I’ve just been thinking that it’s still another game. I’m going to go out there and try to produce and try to help my team win.”
Flowers is as even-keeled as it gets, and that has likely helped him get through the week. He didn’t want to downplay the stage, but he preferred to just sit back and observe before letting loose tomorrow night when it matters.
“I’m looking forward to it, no doubt,” Flowers said. “It’s just a game to me. Obviously, I haven’t been here, so I’m taking it all in and learning the ropes. It’s definitely a blessing.
“I’m being reserved right now. When the lights come on, it’s game time, and let it all out.”
Questionable situation
Among the seven Patriots listed as questionable for tomorrow, defensive tackle Vincent Valentine (back) is the only one with a truly uncertain status. He was added to the injury report Thursday and participated on a limited basis over the final two practices. He missed three games (Weeks 5-7) with a back injury earlier this season.
If Valentine can’t play, the Patriots might choose to promote Woodrow Hamilton or Darius Kilgo from the practice squad. That move would have to occur by 4 p.m. today.
Defensive tackle Alan Branch (toe) told the Herald he’d play, and Bill Belichick said Thursday he expected Nate Ebner (concussion) to be cleared to play. Linebacker Dont’a Hightower (shoulder), tight end Martellus Bennett (knee) and wide receivers Chris Hogan (thigh) and Malcolm Mitchell (knee) have already played through their injuries in the playoffs, so that isn’t expected to change for the biggest game of their lives.
In the moment
Jimmy Garoppolo may don a Patriots uniform tomorrow for the final time, as teams are expected to approach the team about acquiring the quarterback this offseason.
Garoppolo is well aware of the situation, but there’s no guarantee the Patriots will unload him. So when he was asked if he’ll enjoy this week as much as the next phase of his career, he understandably opted to stay in the moment.
“We’ll see when we get there,” Garoppolo said. “Every part of this experience, the Super Bowl, is unbelievable. Just being in the NFL is a privilege. It’s a hard thing to do. Whenever you get the opportunity to play, you’ve got to take advantage of it.”