Patriots Defense Chomping at the Bit for Live Action
With 20 days of training camp and 30-some-odd practices under their belts, the New England Patriots have been thrilled to take out their pent-up frustrations on some fresh live-game meat for three hours each week. Friday's victims: The Washington Redskins.
"That's one thing about football and [its] difference between other sports," defensive lineman Jarvis Green said. "We do so much stuff during the course of the week, and we've only got three or four hours to put it all out on the field [after] five or six days of work. I think everybody has the sense of urgency to go out there and can't wait to hit somebody."
There are seldom opportunities in practice to lay a real good hit on someone, not that anyone wants to knock out a teammate anyway. So, when chances have presented themselves, the Patriots have been more than ready to turn an upright player into a lawn ornament this preseason.
"When you're able to lay pads or hit anybody besides your teammates, of course it's always great because in practice, you really don't go too hard against your teammates," said safety Brandon McGowan, who has eight tackles and a forced fumble in the preseason. "In a game, the intensity level is different. It's great out there just hitting a different color."
Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork added, "We're tired of hitting each other, point blank. This is camp. Everybody is going through what we're going through. I don't care how many practices we've had. Camp is camp. I don't care from Pop Warner to NFL, camp is camp. You get tired of beating up on your own teammates, so when you get fresh meat, you get excited."
Linebacker Rob Ninkovich has made the most of his opportunities on the field, leading the Patriots through two games with 10 total tackles. McGowan, who has two of the biggest hits of the preseason, is tied for second on the team with rookie safety Pat Chung and defensive lineman Stephen Williams with eight total tackles. Linebacker Jerod Mayo, safety James Sanders and cornerbacks Terrence Wheatley and Darius Butler each have seven stops.
Opposing quarterbacks, a defensive player's favorite target, haven't fared very well against the Patriots, who have delivered nine quarterback hits and recorded six sacks through two games.
The Patriots' defensive starters are salivating over their extended playing time Friday in Washington, D.C., because they'll have about three full quarters to knock some heads. Of course, it doesn't compare to the regular season, but at this point in the summer, any opposing jersey is a welcome sight for those in the New England locker room.
"It's exciting not to be able to beat up on my guys all the time," Wilfork said. "I know they're tired. I'm tired of it, too. This season needs to hurry up and get here."
