How Did The New England Patriots React To Beating Tennessee?

Dec 20, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) speaks with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels (center) during the second half of the New England Patriots 33-16 win over the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady

Q: How good was it to see Rob Gronkowski get involved early?

TB: He played tough all day. It was great to get him in the end zone there early and get ahead. We talked about playing this game from ahead, playing on our terms, and that was a big play. It was single coverage and [he] got good outside leverage. I just tried to put it on him. He’s been through a lot this week. I’m sure he’s happy to get the win like we all are.

Q: Did you feel 100 percent today after your illness on Friday?

TB: Yeah, I felt ready to go. I’m glad we won. It’s always tough to win. We just keep trying to find ways to get the ball in the end zone. And it wasn’t as pretty as we would like, but it’s December football so just glad to get the win.

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Q: Did you change much in the second half?

TB: It’s hard to say. I know our execution wasn’t great. I’d say that. I think it always starts with us. I think whether they rush three, four, five, I think it always comes down to us picking guys up and throwing the ball well and catching it well and making good decisions. We can always do a better job of that. Hopefully we can kind of see the things that we didn’t do so well, and it’s turn around and on Christmas we can go to the Jets – always a tough place to play – and try to get a tough win there.

Q: What would you say is the big difference in the offense between the first and second halves in the last two games?

TB: I think I’m always pretty frustrated at some point in this sport, so I think I just play with the level of frustration. I think everybody is frustrated when we don’t get the ball in the end zone. I just think it ebbs and flows. We’re learning as we go, and we’ve got new players coming in every week. Guys are going out, guys are coming in, and you’re just doing the best you can to be productive and eliminate critical mistakes and take advantage of scoring opportunities. That’s what we tried to do today.

Q: Can you talk a little bit about the progression of James White?

TB: Yeah, he’s gained a lot of trust from everybody just based on his performance, his consistency. He had that long run that got called back, but that was a great play. So he’s just been making plays for us. And the touchdown run on the screen, I mean, from what I saw there wasn’t much there, and then he was so patient to see things open up and then took advantage when the hole finally did open, accelerated through there and got in the end zone. So he’s been really productive in that role and has just been a … Really great tribute to his hard work and commitment. He was here last year and learned a lot and then got his opportunity when Dion [Lewis] went out, and he’s just done a great job with it.

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Q: How much emotion could you feel with the team late in the week with so many players out?

TB: People are always dealing with some stuff. It’s a long season, so I think over the course of the season, you’re always dealing with some type of adversities I would say. I think mental toughness is important in this sport to try to put whatever is going on on the side when you go out and play football for those three hours a week because you only have three hours to kind of put your performance out there and do the best you can do. So all the guys are pretty mentally tough, but I’d say to be 12-2 is a good record. I know it’s not perfect. There are certainly a lot of things we could do better, but it’s good to be 12-2.

Q: You started the game really well going 7-for-7 and spreading all the guys. Would you like to see that going forward with all the guys in there?

TB: Yeah, I think we’ve got to be efficient and find different ways to get everybody the ball who’s out there. I think when you get one-dimensional it gets pretty tough. And we, you know, just dealing with some guys went in today, some guys went out. So I think we’re just trying to, like I said, figure out ways to move the ball down the field and score points and take advantage whenever we can get the ball in the end zone.

Q: How much does this offense miss Julian Edelman?

TB: He’s been one of our best players, most dependable and consistent players, for as long as he’s had the opportunity to be in there and play that role. So the more of those guys you can have out there, the better you’re going to be. He’s obviously a very versatile player, so it’ll be great to have him back whenever that happens. I know he’s working pretty hard to get back. The more good players you can have out there on a consistent, dependable basis, the more dependable and consistent your offense can be. So he’s certainly one of those guys who’s been very dependable for us over the years.

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