Matthew Judon shuts down the latest Patriots rumor about the state of the team

As it almost always goes in the land of Boston sports media, another rumor that started on the radio waves created quite a stir on Thursday afternoon when Scott Zolak suggested Patriots players held a player-only meeting after their latest loss to the Dolphins.

The unsubstantiated claim from the former New England quarterback was prompted in conversation because of Matthew Judon's opening statement to the media during his availability after the game.

Zolak alluded to the fact that he had been told the meeting was held, which led to Judon speaking openly and candidly to reporters before taking questions.

Given the context of what they were talking about, it seems certainly plausible. It was only the second loss of a very early season. So Judon taking the time to make a statement to the media right away felt out of the blue but not unwarranted, especially in the climate of Boston sports media coverage.

The locker room also had a noticeable shift in aura after the loss, with many reporters stating that most players were sitting at their lockers quietly, creating a very sullen atmosphere.

Adding all the clues together made it fair to assume there was a possible meeting, but when asked on Thursday if the players held one, Judon denied it happened, nor did they need one.

He was forthright with his response, letting everyone know they are not in the dark about where the team stands and what they need to improve. But he also shared that they're not a team unwilling to have difficult conversations when necessary.

The way Judon spoke about the team's dynamic proves even more how deeply connected this team is and how much they respect each other as teammates, men, and as a brotherhood.

Despite the difficult start to the year and the assumption that there is unhappiness in the locker room, it's clear they're all on the same page and want to get better. They're not glossing over the losses or not addressing their mistakes head-on, which is all a good sign about the rest of the season.

It's what makes leaders like Judon and others so important to a team working through struggles early on because their influence can increase morale and benefit the team in multiple ways.

Hopefully, we will see some of it pay off this weekend when the Patriots fly to New York to face the Jets for the first time this season.