| New England LB Roman Phifer, who left the Rams as a free
agent after the 1998 season, spoke with the media upon his arrival in New Orleans at the
Patriots’ press conference. Here’s a look at his responses: Q: Has it sunk
in yet that you are playing in the Super Bowl for the first time in your 11-year career?
A: I think that when we made our descent today coming here (that) everyone was pretty
excited like, "Yeah, we’re here."
Q: What is like to play against your former team?
A: They’re a great team. I have a lot of friends over there, and it will be a very
competitive game. It’s kind of weird, but it’s a lot of fun. I was with those
guys, and I missed the Super Bowl with them their first time around. To be here for my
first time and to compete with those guys is kind of ironic, but it’s exciting.
Q: Did you expect to be in New Orleans now after starting the season 0-2?
A: I’d be lying if I said that we could have foreseen us coming to the Super Bowl,
but this team has been resilient. We’ve had a lot of so-called distractions this year
and things that could have made most teams go downhill with the death of Coach (Dick)
Rehbein and things of that nature. I think we used adversity in our favor, and we pulled
closer together as a team, and I think it’s been part of our success."
Q: What do you think of the Patriots’ roster being made up of salary cap
players who signed with the team after June 1?
A: I feel that Coach Belichick knows the game and has been around a while. I’m
sure that he knows talent when he sees it. I feel good that he was confident enough (to
see) that I could contribute to this team. Even being in my 11th year, I’m
sure that he felt the same way about the other veterans that he brought off free agency or
that were released due to a salary cap issue.
Q: How do you feel about playing the Rams again after losing to them in the regular
season?
A: Obviously, here we’re going to be more confident because we did not get here by
not believing in ourselves. Looking back at that game, they’re a good team. They put
up over 400 yards of passing on us, or total offense so to speak. We just have to play a
lot better than we did.
Q: How would you compare the Rams to the Rams’ team in St. Louis when you were
there?
A: It’s like night and day. They’re a totally different team from when I was
with them. Their offense is high-powered. They have a lot of athletes. We had some of
those same athletes there but they found a way to put things together and use everyone to
their ability, and they’re a totally different team.
Q: Are you concerned about the risk of danger at the Super Bowl?
A: I’m pretty sure that they (security) would handle it. I’m just thinking
that they would check everyone coming into the game (their) bags or whatever. I’m
pretty confident that after Sept. 11 and what’s been going on at the airports with
security, I’m pretty sure that they would have everything under control.
Q: What do you think of everyone doing background checks on players for security?
A: If it’s going to make everyone feel better. I know some of it may feel like
harassment or maybe an inconvenience. If it is going to make everyone on a whole feel a
lot better and more secure, then I’m all for it. |
