| New England SS Lawyer Milloy spoke with the media upon his
arrival in New Orleans at the Patriots’ press conference. Here’s a look at his
responses: Q: What was the key to shutting down the Pittsburgh Steelers’ running
game?
A: It was a total team effort. We knew going into the game they had a high-powered and
very balanced offense. We knew we could not be focused on one particular person or one
element of their game. We had to have a total team effort, and we were very disciplined.
We got Jerome (Bettis) going East and West instead of North and South.
Q: Are you glad to have a second shot at the Rams?
A: Yes. To be the best, you have to beat the best. We have the utmost respect for the
Rams, as everybody does I think. They deserve that. When they came up to New England, and
we lost in the fashion that we lost to them, we left the game feeling very confident that
if we had the chance to compete against them again, it would be a good game. We like our
chances.
Q: Does it help adjusting to the speed of the Rams having played them in Week 10?
A: I think it is an advantage. This is a team we are very familiar with because we
played them earlier this year. As far as their team speed, they have a lot of
thoroughbreds. This is going to be a week where we eat a lot of salads instead of steaks
trying to stay light. They have a high-powered offense.
Q: Is it a coincidence that the Patriots have not lost since they played the Rams?
A: It was definitely a confidence builder for us to know that we not only hung in with
the greatest show on Earth, but we were trying to get back in the picture at that
particular point in the season. As far as the evolution of this team, it was definitely a
game that we needed to have at that particular point in the season. When we went into the
locker room (after the game), nobody had his head down. We knew we had a good team.
Q: Why are veterans so willing to play on special teams?
A: It is a total team effort. That is the one thing that everybody has ignored about
this team. That is the thing that makes us a dangerous team. We don’t care about
individual stats and all that. We have veterans and starters that will play special teams
because we are trying to get it done for each other. We focus on all aspects of the game.
Q: Why do you think the Patriots are so lightly regarded at this point?
A: I don’t know. Everybody is talking about how lucky we are to be here. The
bottom line is that we are a good team, and we know how to win close games. I don’t
really want to get on the disrespect thing but for whatever reason, people are overlooking
us, but that is fine with us because we are all about each other. The only way to get out
of the hole that we dug ourselves at the beginning of the season when we started 0-2 was
remaining focused on our team. |
