McCourty in familiar spot
Veteran won’t take playoffs for granted
FOXBORO — Even though he’s made the playoffs in each of his nine seasons in the NFL, Devin McCourty isn’t taking it for granted. And if the Patriots safety couldn’t come to that himself, the presence of his brother can provide a daily reminder. McCourty remembers the pain of his first playoff experience in 2011, when the Patriots went 14-2 before losing in the divisional round to the Jets. His feelings about getting to this point in January certainly have evolved since then. “You’re like, ‘Man, I gotta make sure every time we get in the playoffs, we win,’” McCourty said of after that 2011 loss. “It’s like skipping past even the regular season like it’s a lock to get in the playoffs. I think as you get older, you realize football as a whole isn’t guaranteed. … “Every time I’ve played in the postseason, it’s another huge accomplishment that I want to take full advantage of and go out there and play my best for the team.” McCourty has extra reason to be grateful for the chance to play in another postseason after he left the Patriots’ Week 17 victory over the Jets with a concussion. He missed both practices last week, but returned as a full participant Wednesday and was removed from the injury report yesterday. The Patriots’ defensive leader is expected to be ready to go for Sunday’s divisional round game against the Chargers. “I’ve been good,” McCourty said. “Any time you get injured, you’re just working and trying to get back out there, so it felt good to be back out there this week with the guys practicing, getting ready to go play in a playoff game.” McCourty’s appreciation for getting to this stage have also been fueled by his brother’s shortcomings. After eight seasons with the Titans and then one with the Browns, Jason McCourty finally will make his playoff debut Sunday. There may be no one happier about that than their mother. “I think the thing she’s most wanted is Jason to play in the playoffs, so I’m sure she’ll be fired up to see him play in his first playoff game,” Devin said. “She’s said that over and over. She just wanted him to get some type of success that I’ve had as far as playoffs and postseason and the atmosphere, so the McCourty gang will be pretty fired up Sunday.”
Tough matchup
Chargers linebacker Der- win James, just a rookie, already has shown he’s one of the best in the league covering tight ends. The All-Pro helped hold the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce to just 67 receiving yards in two matchups this season. The 6-foot-2, 215pounder is as athletic as they come. Rob Gronkowski knows he’ll have his hands full Sunday. “He’s a great player,” Gronkowski said. “He’s a real good player and you have to be ready for him, physically and mentally. He brings it, he covers well and you have to be prepared.”
Kraft honored
Patriots owner Robert Kraft was announced Wednesday as the 2019 Genesis Prize Laureate, also known as the “Jewish Nobel,” an $1 million prize that annually “honors extraordinary individuals for their outstanding professional achievement, contribution to humanity, and commitment to Jewish values and Israel.” Kraft will be formally presented with the award by the Prime Minister of Israel in June at a gala ceremony in Jerusalem. Kraft chose to forgo the $1 million award so that funds can be granted to initiatives combatting antiSemitism. “I am honored to receive the Genesis Prize and thank the Genesis Prize Foundation for its recognition and willingness to direct my prize monies to such worthy causes,” Kraft said in a statement. “This award amplifies my ability to raise both awareness and additional funds to fight anti-Semitism, attempts to de-legitimize Israel and other forms of prejudices. It is important that we continue to support organizations that focus on combatting prejudices by building bridges and uniting people of different backgrounds.”