New England Patriots Aqib Talib: More Interceptions, Please!

The New England Patriots will have to use and create all opportunities they can get to move on ahead with a 3-0 record against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday. Our defense should be able to pull up some tricks here and there, and a clean game with zero penalties would be ideal on top of putting up some points on the score board to make a big lead gap.

Sep 12, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib (31) celebrates with strong safety Steve Gregory (28) after an interception during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

One of the players that will factor in big in this match up against the Buccaneers, in my opinion, will be cornerback Aqib Talib. Talib is without a doubt my favorite cornerback (I like Darrelle Revis too, but…) and I’m so happy he fits perfectly in the Patriots system. He wasn’t really a treasure in Tampa Bay, but for the Patriots he has become a game-changer and it’s impossible not to appreciate Talib’s contribution to this team.

Talib’s presence in the back of the field dominates and dictates to where or when the opposing quarterback should throw the ball. His seven-year NFL career, banks a total of 180 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 21 interceptions, 350 fumbles recovered yards, 4 touchdowns and 58 pass defended. So far in this season, Talib had a total of 4 tackles, 2 pass defended and 2 very appreciated interceptions.

Coach Bill Belichick is happy to have Talib as he highly admired Talib during his address to the Tampa Bay media conference call this afternoon.

“Aqib’s been great. [I’ve] really enjoyed having him on our team. He’s, obviously, a very good player, but he’s become a good leader for us. He’s really got a lot of on-the-field presence, and his experience brings a lot to our defense, and our defensive backfield group off the field. He’s just been a great addition to our team. [I’m] glad we have him. We gave up a pretty good [draft] pick for him, so I’m sure it was a good deal both ways, but we’re glad we have him on our team.”

And as for Talib’s work ethic, coach Belichick said, “Very good. [He] works hard. He was one of our offseason award-winners. He worked hard in the offseason, prepares well every week, practices well.”

That’s about all a coach could ask for from a player aside from taking control of game performance and taking care of the ball. As for the fans, we thank for his hard work and continue to ask for more interceptions.

When Talib was asked about the trouble coach Greg Schiano is having with  Bucs players, Talib was a classic by replying,

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