Defense focused on more than Brady
Judon concerned with Bucs’ weapons
FOXBORO — The hype surrounding Tom Brady’s return to New England has worn quickly on a first-year Patriot.
Pats linebacker Matt Judon fielded several questions about Brady during his morning press conference Thursday, despite the fact the two never played together. With the Ravens, Judon played against Brady twice, hitting him five times and collecting five tackles over a win and a loss. Judon, who leads the Patriots in sacks, repeated his respect for Brady and the notion his defense must limit all of the Bucs on Sunday, not just their legendary quarterback.
“I know he was in this building for a long time, and what he’s done can never be taken away from the game of football and what he did. But it’s not like we’re afraid of what Tom Brady can do,” Judon said. “We have to stop their whole offense.”
Judon then rattled off running backs Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones, Bucs tight ends Rob Gronkowski, OJ Howard and Cameron Brate and Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike
Evans. Tampa Bay is also expected to return former All-Pro wideout Antonio
Brown, who was activated off COVID-19 reserve on Thursday. Another star receiver, Chris Godwin, leads the Bucs in catches with 19.
“Tom Brady is a great quarterback, and nobody can take away what he did. But we’re not here to talk about that right now,” Judon said. “We have to play the game, and stop him from winning the football game.”
Did the two-time Pro Bowler think there was too much adoration Brady going around New England?
“Like I said, y’all been here, and y’all have spoken to the guy and gave him his flowers and everything he’s done for the game and this city and this organization,” Judon told reporters. “But since I’ve been in the league, it’s only been one week for me. ‘OK, we have to play the New England Patriots, and this is what Brady does well and this is how we have to defend him.’
“And so this week is the same. It’s the same. I’m just in a different uniform, and he’s in a different uniform.”
Through three weeks, Brady has completed 68.8% of his passes for 1,087 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. His offense is tied for the league lead in scoring at 34.3 points per game. Meanwhile, the Patriots defense ranks fifth in points allowed at 17 per game, with Judon leading the team in sacks, tackles for loss and quarterback hits.
Taylor ready to help replace White
Earlier this week, Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears suggested second-year back J.J. Taylor would be in the mix to help replace veteran third-down back James White, who is done for the season with a hip injury.
Taylor, whose primary role has been as a kick returner, said he’d love the chance to be a part of the solution to fill White’s third down role.
“I’m always excited to play football. Any chance to get on the field, you take it,” Taylor said Thursday, “but also, I’m praying for James and wishing him the best.
The 5-foot-6, 185-pound Taylor, who originally signed as an undrafted rookie out of Arizona in 2020, said he’s starting to feel more comfortable with blitz pickup route-running. Bill Belichick has often noted pass protection is the most difficult part of a young running back’s transition to the NFL. How does Taylor plan on handling all the mammoth rushers coming at him with a full head of steam?
“Absorb the block, give a blow. It’s a tough thing to do,” Taylor said. “Not everybody likes to get hit every single play. But just as they like to hit, we like to hit, as well. You do your damage, and let them know you can’t be bullied around things like that.” How about route-running? “I did a good amount at Arizona, but this is a lot more. And once again, (it helps) having James White, and all the backs actually, teaching us how to run routes, how to set people up, just doing things we’re supposed to do,” he said. “
After being a healthy scratch for the season opener, Taylor has rushed three times for five yards and caught three passes.
Pats swamped with ticket requests
“Can I get tickets?”
Before any of the Patriots’ top free agents took their first snaps in New England, several of them were bombarded with that question for Sunday’s game. Hunter Henry, Nelson Agholor and Jalen Mills all said Thursday they took care of business before the season started. Henry went as far back as training camp to ensure extended family and friends got the message.
“I know you wanna come, but I’m gonna have to restrict it,” Henry remembered telling them. “That’s kind of a hot game . ... Had to lay down the law a little bit.”
Mills said he’s only secured four tickets, all for immediate family. Sunday’s game is expected to be the most-watched regular-season NFL game in years.
Gronk misses practice again
Brady will make the trip. But could Rob Gronkowski actually miss his return to Foxboro?
The Bucs’ star tight end sat out a second straight practice Thursday, sidelined by the same ribs injury that knocked him out of last weekend’s loss at the Rams. Initial reports indicated Gronkowski should play in Sunday’s showdown at Gillette Stadium despite the injury. He was one of seven players listed on the Bucs’ latest practice report, including wide receiver Jaydon Mickens, who was upgraded from limited to full participation.
In New England, the Patriots had an eighth player limited by injury, with veteran safety Kyle Dugger (hamstring) joining the same teammates who missed portions of Wednesday’s practice. Linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley is one of those seven, though he was permitted to speak to the media Thursday evening, a sign he should be cleared for kickoff.