Linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who came into the league with Milloy as a member of the 1996 draft class, was also curious how five months could pass without a resolution.   ``Has it ever been this quiet in here?'' Bruschi asked. ``I don't think it has. I think `shocked' is the word. When the most prominent player here in the last five or six or seven years is gone, you sort of shake your head and ask why. I don't see how they couldn't have worked it out, to tell you the truth. I wish they would have.''

Moving on
3 Sep 03 / by Andy Hart, Patriots Football Weekly 

“As hard as it is we are going to have to [get ready to play,]” linebacker Tedy Bruschi said. “I am a bottom line type of guy and I am a factual type of guy and the facts are that Lawyer is not here. It's not by our choice. There isn't anything we could have done about it, but Lawyer is probably going to be with another team pretty soon. So what can we do about it? There is nothing we can do. There is nothing we can do about the moves they make up top. The only thing we can control in here is playing good football. And that's what we have to do and focus on being 1-0 and beating the Buffalo Bills. That's it. That's all.”

Bruschi admitted that the teams practice action yesterday, the team's first day of full preparation for the Bills, was probably affected by the emotional transaction that took place earlier in the day.

“I think it started out a little slow,” Bruschi said of Tuesday's practice. “A lot of things were on guys' minds yesterday, but you just have to be strong. One of your key guys is gone and I hate to say it but you have to move on. You have to because there are still 16 football games left to be played and the guys in this room are going to be the ones that are playing them for the Patriots.”  Click here for full article.

Bruschi tempers words

Tedy Bruschi backed off strong comments he made in this week's Sports Illustrated in the wake of the Milloy release. ``It was an emotional week,'' Bruschi said yesterday. ``There's no team I'd rather play for than the Patriots.''

Last Thursday, Bruschi told SI: ``I'm not as fully committed to the Patriots as I was to my team at Arizona or Roseville (Calif.) High. (The Pats) took a franchise player and kicked him to the curb five days before the season. I wish . . . I could put my heart on the line for something. But how do you do that in a place where guys who've established what this team is about just come and go?''

Belichick responded to the comments as he has to all others uttered by players over the last week - with acceptance. Belichick has not forbidden his players from speaking out about Milloy.

Instead, he is letting the issue run its course.

``I think Tedy is one of our most committed players,'' Belichick said. ``He is one of our team captains. He has and continues to have a terrific attitude. I am glad that we have Tedy Bruschi on our team. I think the guy is a good football player and I really like him.''

......To that end, Tedy Bruschi, who voiced the most critical response to the Milloy move in this week's edition of Sports Illustrated - it was the most public and open cry of outrage during a week of veiled slams by players - vowed yesterday the team was finally focused and ready to move on.

``I can look at you and honestly say (I've moved on),'' said Bruschi, who explained his remarks were made in the heat of the moment. ``All we want is to play the Philadelphia Eagles and just win. That's it. I don't care about any of the drama that happened last week, because it was last week.

``After the (Buffalo) game, I said I couldn't wait for Philly. The only way to remedy any kind of defeat is to get back out there on the field and win a game. And that's what I look forward to doing.''

full article: http://www2.bostonherald.com/sport/patriots/kg09132003.htm

     ``I look at the linebacker group and I see guys like Larry Izzo coming in there, I see guys like Matt Chatham coming in there,'' Bruschi said. ``I went down early in the game myself and came back in the next series.

     ``When Larry Izzo came in we didn't miss a beat. Don Davis did a great job for us. These guys are great football players and when they are in there they are expected to do well, and they expect that of themselves as well.''

     ``You could tell he was hurting, but when it came time to make a play, he forgot he was hurt. It looked like he was limping as he scored the touchdown, but that's the kind of thing that typifies the attitude of this team.''

http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/patriots.bg?articleid=40

Tedy on the Sox:

“I’m looking at the scoreboard too,” linebacker Tedy Bruschi said. “There’s a home run. There’s a double. OK, we’re up 5-4. We won the game. Great, good job. OK, here’s the defense. I’m glad the fans got fired up. I think they had fun with it.”

     ``Matt Chatham made a great play. It's amazing that he was able to keep his feet under him,'' Bruschi said. ``Matt Chatham, let's take some time and talk about him and what a great job he's done. He's the type of guy who you don't hear about much, but put him in the game and he makes the plays.''

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Chatham off to great start

On Dan Klecko:

Klecko's situation reminds Belichick of another gifted player who, because of his dimensions, had to elbow his way into the lineup: Tedy Bruschi. ``I think Bruschi was a lot like that in his rookie year in '96,'' said the coach. ``Bruschi was a good football player, but we didn't know exactly what to do with him. Obviously, he's created a good role for himself and has had a great career. Whether that will or won't happen with Dan, I don't know.''
 

     Asked if he saw similarities between Klecko's present circumstances and those of his own early career, Bruschi replied ``Yeah, I do.
 

     ``He's a different body type than I am, but he does remind me of the situation I was in in terms of them just trying to find something for me to do,'' said Bruschi. ``When I came in, I wasn't a linebacker right away, and I wasn't a defensive end right away, so they threw me in on third down and threw me in on special teams to see what I could do.''
 

     Of course, Bruschi never got to line up at fullback.
 

     ``Yeah,'' said Bruschi. ``But Dan's got a little more beef than me.''

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Three-way threat: Klecko tackling every role he's asked to play

Linebacker Roman Phifer had a monster game with 19 total tackles while Tedy Bruschi finished with a career-high 16, bailing out a sluggish offense that had just one touchdown and 29 totals yards at halftime. The lone bright spot was running back Michael Cloud’s one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that gave the Patriots an insurmountable 17-3 lead.

"Don’t get me wrong, I’d like to win every game by 28 points, but it’s nice to know we can win the close ones, too" Bruschi said. "We’re doing alright. We’ve been very resilient all year. We’re playing with determination. This is a real gritty football team."

The Call

Patriots' drive a Giants killer

By Glen Farley, Enterprise staff writer

FOXBORO — Linebacker Tedy Bruschi has a term to describe the New England Patriots' mode of operation this year.

"We're just motoring along," says Bruschi. ......

That term sure fit yesterday.  The one thing that was emphasized this week was hustling to the ball," said Bruschi. "Guys like Tiki Barber (22 carries for 71 yards) and Jeremy Shockey (eight receptions, 80 yards), once they get the ball, they can do things with it. If you've got guys hustling, if the first guy misses, then the second and third guys can (make the tackle), and maybe they pop the ball loose."

The Enterprise at SouthofBoston.com

Projo.com | Providence | Patriots

SG: Tedy Bruschi has become one of the indispensable players on the Patriots and with all the players they have out with injuries right now they couldn't afford to lose him, especially if Belichick wants to keep playing the 3-4 defense because they are so short on linebackers right now. Bruschi was involved on 16 tackles in this game. He's become a fan favorite because he's the kind of player who wasn't supposed to succeed in the NFL. He wasn't big enough to play middle linebacker but he's proven he's a football player. He plays hard and gives 110% on every play, and I think the fans enjoy watching a guy who plays like that. He's also one of the few guys on the team that will take responsibility when things go wrong, and that's what your team leaders have to do.

Grogan's Grade: Week 6 New England vs. NY Giants

Running test
16 Oct 03 / by Andy Hart, Patriots Football Weekly 

What a difference a year can make. Despite numerous injuries that have greatly altered the defensive unit that steps on the field on Sundays, the Patriots are having a much better season defending the run compared to a year ago. A unit that finished 31st in the league stopping the run in 2002 currently ranks seventh in the NFL in rush defense and has yet to allow a 100-yard rusher through six games. That is in stark contrast to a team that allowed opposing backs to clear the century mark in Weeks Three through Seven in '02 and on eight separate occasions throughout the year.

But that 100-yard free season could be in jeopardy this week as the Patriots travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins and Pro Bowl running back Ricky Williams. Williams rushed for 105 yards and 185 yards in two meetings a year ago and the New England defenders know Sunday's action will present the biggest rushing threat they have faced in '03.

“Ricky Williams, Priest Holmes, he's probably one of the top two backs in the league, in my opinion,” Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi said. “The guy has game. I respect his game. He is a tough runner. You don't really see a runner with that kind of size with that kind of speed. He's able to go inside and then bounce it after he has gone inside. He has tremendous skill. We look at a player like that and see it as a tremendous challenge and we are going to have to have game out there.”

And was Bruschi aware that the team had yet to give up a 100-yard rusher as a revamped unit this season?

Pats Bruschi standing tall
By Paul Perillo  PFW October 15, 2003

One by one his teammates began to drop around him. First, his trusted partner inside, Ted Johnson, went down with a broken foot. Then newcomer Rosevelt Colvin was lost for the season with a fractured hip. Soon thereafter, Ted Washington, his protector up front, was gone with a broken leg. Then Mike Vrabel was lost to a broken arm, leaving him as the only true linebacker standing.

That’s more misfortune than most players have to deal with, but watching Tedy Bruschi patrol the middle of the Patriots defense lately has been inspiring.

“I just do what I do,” Bruschi said. “I don’t worry about the things I can’t control. When it comes down to it, I do the best I can to get myself ready to play.”

But lately that task has been infinitely harder for the eighth-year veteran. At the start of the season, Bruschi expected to join Johnson inside in the Patriots 3-4 set. With Johnson handling the traditional middle linebacker responsibilities, and the behemoth Washington on board to keep them clean from his nose tackle position, Bruschi figured to be a disruptive force with his athleticism allowing him to make plays.

During the preseason, he lined up as a pass rushing defensive lineman occasionally in nickel situations and appeared ready to do some damage to opposing quarterbacks. With other parts seemingly in place to handle the more traditional linebacker roles, and Colvin and Vrabel figuring to receive the bulk of the attention from opposing blockers, Bruschi was ready to potentially reap the benefits.

Injuries put an end to any exotic schemes and plans Head Coach Bill Belichick and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel might have had, but they haven’t stopped Bruschi. Since opening day when the injury barrage began, Bruschi has played some of the best football of his career. He had five tackles in the blowout win at Philadelphia and added an amazing five passes defensed. He also returned an interception 18 yards for a touchdown.

Since then he’s returned to his role as middle linebacker in the traditional 4-3 alignment, but his production has remained high. He had nine tackles in the win over the Jets, seven more at Washington and 10 in the spirited win over Tennessee. All this despite being the only healthy linebacker that started at Buffalo.

“It’s still football,” Bruschi said. “Everybody’s here for a reason. I expect them to do well when they get in. They expect it of themselves. It’s just the type of guys we keep around in the locker room. There’s a reason they’re here and it’s that they’re good football players. When they get their opportunity they’re out there being the player they can be.

“I don’t really look at it as something we’ve done well or not well because somebody hasn’t been in there. It’s just this is who we have and it’s all we have so this is who we have to do it with.”

Despite Bruschi’s modesty, his play has been more impressive given the circumstances. Of the top six linebackers that figured to get the majority of snaps in the 3-4 (Bruschi, Johnson, Colvin, Vrabel, Roman Phifer and Willie McGinest), only Phifer and Bruschi suited up against Tennessee. Instead, players like Matt Chatham, Dan Klecko and veteran special teamers Don Davis and Larry Izzo have been thrown into the fire.

That has put added pressure on Bruschi’s shoulders because he not only has his own job to do but he’s also doing it — at least theoretically — with less help around him. Just don’t expect him to admit to it.

“I haven’t put any more weight on my shoulders because if you do you get thinking about different things,” Bruschi said. “You get thinking about, ‘I have to do this or I have to do that.’ Each position on defense has a certain responsibility and if you leave responsibility to do someone else’s, the other responsibility you’ve left usually gets exploited.”

Still, having Bruschi’s experience and guile on the field has helped the youngsters immeasurably. Chatham talked before the Titans game about the calming presence of veterans like Bruschi and how that helped his preparation. He responded with five tackles, four unassisted, against the Titans.

“I can help some of the younger guys if they have questions and by relaying something I see to maybe help them out,” Bruschi said. “Even if we don’t have an injury situation, it’s everywhere,” Bruschi said. “If you see a young guy coming up you do something you might help him out with even if it doesn’t look like he’s going to get reps.

“That’s what the guys in this locker room are good about doing. That’s how you develop a young player; the older veterans have to have an unselfish attitude that even though this guy is young and he plays my position, I’m still going to help him out because when his time comes he could be playing right next to you.”

With no fewer than four starters out of the lineup with injuries, that time is now and Bruschi is certainly doing his share. Belichick speaks often about the need to develop an entire roster of productive football players, not just starters. He also likes to have veterans who provide a model for younger players to watch and learn from — guys who are relied upon as much for their play as for their knowledge and leadership.

In Bruschi, he has both.

10/23/03  This week's Notes and Quotes:

On the Miami win:

As such, many players were sure to put the win in perspective. Yes, it ended the Pats' Miami curse and put them in first place. But a look at the calendar showed October, not January.   ``We got it done. Cool,'' said linebacker Tedy Bruschi [news]. ``Now let's move on.''

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Pats finally beat heat: OT win stifles swoon in Miami

On the blocked field goal:

Seymour said he knew he'd get the block.    ``I saw it before it happened,'' Seymour said. ``When we were out on the field, me and Tedy (Bruschi) were talking and he said, `All right, Seymour, it's a big play for you.' And I was like, if you give me a good push, I'm gonna block it.  ``The ball was snapped and Tedy gave me a good push and I just blocked it. It was one of those things where it was like slow motion. I thought Troy was going to pick it up and take it to the house.''

 Bruschi said it's not as easy a play as it looks.    ``You've got your hands on a man's butt that weighs over 300 pounds,'' Bruschi said. ``It is a massive amount of humanity that you just have to keep pushing. There are no words to describe it.''

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Seymour's a dirt devil

On Rodney Harrison:

Said Bruschi: ``With some people you can just tell they belong in leadership positions. Whether it's an appointed or an elective position isn't important. Rodney was a leader anyway. We just decided to make it official and give him the title.''
BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Harrison a perfect fit as captain

Yahoo! News - N.E. Defensive Leader Rolls With Punches

"It's the biggest game of the year…this week," linebacker Tedy Bruschi said. "This is the biggest game because it's the next game."

Tedy ready for prime time: Given the opening, Bruschi is barging onto center stage and into the spotlight
By George Kimball
Sunday, October 26, 2003

FOXBORO -- The Patriots [stats, news] linebacking corps appeared to be the team's strong suit going into the season, but injuries decimated the position almost beyond recognition: Rosevelt Colvin and Ted Johnson were struck down by early-season injuries, and Willie McGinest [news] and Mike Vrabel [news] each missed several games, leaving Tedy Bruschi [news] to hold the fort.
 

     With Roman Phifer and Matt Chatham acting as his wingmen, the eighth-year veteran from the University of Arizona has responded with what promises to be his finest season to date. As the season hits the halfway pole against the Browns at Gillette Stadium today, Bruschi is on a pace to establish career highs in most meaningful defensive categories -- not bad for a guy who was adjudged too small to play at the NFL level when he came out of college.
 

     At his current pace Bruschi (whose 63 tackles place him second on the team to Rodney Harrison's 67) would finish the season with 144 tackles and 23 passes defensed, giving rise to at least two questions: Has Bruschi elevated his game THAT much? Or has he simply been givenincreased opportunities afforded by the absence of more publicized teammates?
 

     And, should he continue to ransack opposing offenses in the second half of the campaign, will this finally be the year his colleagues around the league sit up and takes notice by voting him to the Pro Bowl?
 

     ``I think Tedy's playing well, but I don't know that he's getting any more opportunities than he did in the past,'' said Patriots coach Bill Belichick. ``I think if you'll look back at his (career) numbers the one thing is the number of games he's played in. He didn't play in all the games last year. He didn't play in all the games the year before. If you take a high production level like he's had and put it over 16 games instead of, say, 12, there are some numbers there you lose when you don't play a full season.''
 

     Last season, Bruschi was inactive for one September game and missed the final four games of the year after incurring a knee injury in the fourth period of the Thanksgiving Day win in Detroit. In the 2001 Super Bowl season he sat out the San Diego game, and played sparingly in several others.
 

     ``I think it's still part of my developmental process in being a football player,'' Bruschi said of his production this season. ``I'm in my eighth year now, and I feel like I've come a long way in terms of where I was and where I am now.''
 

     Belichick finds it ``amazing'' that Bruschi has barely rated a sniff over the years in the Pro Bowl voting, but thinks that could change this season.
 

     ``I would think somebody would recognize him, sure,'' said Belichick. ``He's just had too much production to be ignored.''
 

     Pro Bowl selections are historically weighted in favor of incumbents, so Miami's Zach Thomas will likely be the starting middle linebacker each year in Honolulu until he retires, but who among AFC inside 'backers is having a better year than Bruschi? By finishing second or even third in the player voting he could earn a long-overdue Pro Bowl berth.
 

     ``I'm not worried about (the Pro Bowl), and I don't care about it,'' said Bruschi. ``All I care about are those numbers we put in the `W' column.''
 

     Man for all reasons
 

     ``You know, Tedy does so many things for your football team that are important,'' said Belichick. ``There's the running game, the passing game and his leadership ability, but then he does a lot in the kicking game, too. A guy who plays that much and is that consistent and dependable adds a lot of value to our football team.
 

     ``If you're not on the team maybe you don't recognize what he does as much as someone who's on it. But we certainly do.''
 

     In fourth quarter of the Patriots' second game of the season in Philadelphia, Bruschi picked off a Donovan McNabb pass and returned it for a touchdown. It was his third such play in a five-game span going back to the 2002 season. In the 31-10 win over the Eagles, Bruschi also registered five solo tackles, five passes defensed and a sack, and was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
 

     Two weeks ago against the Giants at Gillette, Bruschi was credited with 16 tackles in a 17-6 New England win.
 

     That his two best games have come against NFC opponents might not help his Pro Bowl case -- AFC players vote only for their own representatives in Honolulu -- but you'd like to think that enough his colleagues will have seen Bruschi on film, or at least watched enough of ``NFL Prime Time'' to recognize the extent of his contribution.
 

     ``I only judge my career on one thing, and that's how many games we win as a team,'' insisted Bruschi. ``I appreciate the compliment, but I'm only out there to win. I can't say that enough and I can't MEAN that enough.''
 

     Learning the ropes
 

     Bruschi's exploits at California's Roseville High School were such that when his hometown Sacramento Bee later rated the 100 top Sacramento schoolboy players of all time, he was named No. 1. When he moved on to college at Arizona, where he played on the defensive line, Bruschi tied the late Derrick Thomas' NCAA Division 1-A record for career sacks with 52. A two-time finalist for the Lombardi Award bestowed upon the nation's top lineman. Still, he lasted until the third round of the NFL draft, mainly because scouts were concerned that his lack of what Bruschi calls ``beef'' ruled out a career as a defensive lineman.
 

     Belichick, who was a Patriots assistant coach in 1996 when Bruschi broke into the league, recently admitted that ``Bruschi was a good football player, but we didn't know exactly what to do with him. Obviously, he's created a good role for himself and has had a great career.''
 

     When Bruschi joined the Patriots he had, by his own admission, only a vague idea of what linebackers even DID.
 

     ``He'd been a defensive TACKLE -- not defensive end. He played on the guard,'' said Belichick. ``He'd set a record for sacks and all that, with his quickness and his ability to play off blockers and play with leverage and play against bigger guys, but when we got him in '96 it was the same kind of deal we have now with Dan Klecko: You know, `This guy is a good football player and we want him out there.'
 

     ``But he's developed his skills as a linebacker. Now he's more natural as a linebacker than guys who have always played the position.''
 

     ``I came into the league not knowing what a hook drop was,'' said Bruschi. ``Coming in I was a third-down guy and a special teams guy my first three years. I began starting maybe late in my third year. Then my fifth and sixth years, I got to feeling a little more comfortable. Now I'm in my eighth year and I feel like I can do this for a little while.''
 

     When Bruschi joined the NFL he had never played in pass coverage -- not in college nor high school, making it more than slightly ironic that he currently leads the Patriots with 10 passes defensed. That's one more than cornerback Tyrone Poole, and three more than Pro Bowl corner Ty Law [news].
 

     ``That's the way it's gone this year,'' said Bruschi. ``I always have a goal every year, and that's to do better than I did the year before that. I'd like to think I've grown and improved myself mentally and physically as a football player each and every year of my career.''
 

     Quick with a word
 

     Reporters covering the Patriots tend to congregate around Bruschi's locker, knowing that he will be invariably cooperative and usually eloquent, even after a tough loss. The linebacker spent part of Thursday's lunch hour with CBS television reporter Lesley Visser taping a segment that will air in conjunction with today's Patriots-Browns telecast. Ironically, although several of his teammates -- Tom Brady [news], Troy Brown [news] and Richard Seymour [news], and Belichick himself -- have weekly radio gigs, Bruschi, who is actually trained in the profession (he received his bachelor's degree in communications from Arizona), does not.
 

     ``I know,'' he said. ``I get on the radio once in a while and have a little fun, but I like just playing football. I'll worry about career aspirations when I'm done.''
 

     Does Bruschi envision himself as a future broadcaster?
 

     ``I don't know,'' he said. ``Actually, I think I might want to COACH when I'm done. I'd like to see what's out there for me when I'm finished, but hopefully that won't be for another four or five years.''
 

     ``Nobody's beating any doors down to offer me anything anyway. So I think I'll stick to football.''

10/28/03  This week's Notes and Quotes:

Linebacker Tedy Bruschi joked after the win, New England's fourth in a row, that the defense doesn't necessarily come into games thinking that it has to win the contest for the team, but sometimes it just turns out that way.

“When we get up by 21 points we don't think that, but sometimes we have to have that mentality,” Bruschi said. “We were talking on the sideline, 'We have to do more.' We were doing well but we had to do more. We had to get a turnover or something like that. That didn't happen, but we were able to keep Cleveland on the other side of the field which made them go the long length of the field a lot of times today.”

“I am just proud to be a member of this team,” Bruschi said of the team win. “Sometimes you just have to play tight, you have to play clean. You have to trust your special teams to punt the ball and punt return to get some better field positions, play the field position battles sometimes. We got backed up a little bit, we make a couple of first downs, a nice punt and all of a sudden the field position is back switched the other way. We hold them and all of the sudden our offense is receiving the punt at mid field. So That's the way we have to play sometimes, cohesively as a unit offensive, defensive and special teams units.”

Official Website of the New England Patriots - 10/28/03 5:35:09 AM

Kevin Mannix/Report Card
Tuesday, October 28, 2003

LINEBACKERS -- B

Tedy Bruschi [news] and Roman Phifer are showing no signs of wearing down from their full-time duties as each had eight tackles and did a good job of shutting down the middle.

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Healthy dose of defense

Loaded with value: Pats stocked with team MVP candidates
By Karen Guregian
Tuesday, October 28, 2003

Perhaps the biggest reason the Pats are 6-2 midway through the season is they have so many worthy choices in the ``MVP'' category.

 There really isn't a clearcut, hands down choice, per se. What we have is a slate of strong candidates, namely and in no particular order, Richard Seymour [news], Ty Law [news], Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi [news]

Bruschi?

Injuries practically wiped out the linebacking corps. Rosevelt Colvin suffered an early season-ending injury while Ted Johnson, Willie McGinest [news] and Mike Vrabel [news] also have missed time. That's left Bruschi, Roman Phifer and Matt Chatham to fill the breach. Bruschi has responded, so far, with a career season.

`Tedy's really stepped up in terms of taking control of the defense, and being a productive player,'' Belichick said. ``Our run defense has been a lot better than it was last year and he's a big reason for that. He also plays special teams. He's out there almost all day, and just plays his heart out.''

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Loaded with value: Pats stocked with team MVP candidates

10/29/03

I don't have any thoughts on Mile High,” Tedy Bruschi said. “I don't have any thoughts on Monday Night. I only have thoughts on the Denver Broncos, the guys that put on that helmet, the guys that put on that jersey. That's the only way we need to look at it this week. It's not [about] a Monday Night game and everybody is watching. It's [that] they are a good team, they've got a great coaching staff. They'll come up with some things that will be tough for us to adjust against. So prepare your butts off this week and be in the film room all day every day.

“Whether it is Danny Kanell or John Elway back there I am going to prepare the same and I think a lot of us in this locker room are going to prepare the same because it's just about getting our seventh victory.”

Official Website of the New England Patriots - 10/30/03 7:24:31 AM

10/30/03

Yeah, Portis is a guy that if he gets in your secondary the chances of him going all the way are good,” linebacker Tedy Bruschi said, echoing McGinest's description. “He isn't a guy who is going to maybe get run down. He's a guy, if he breaks out that far, certain running backs get an eight yard run, he'll turn it into a 48-yard run.”

But Portis isn't the only Broncos running back that has had success over the last decade in Denver. While he is without question one of the elite runners in the league, part of that success comes from the strength of the Denver system and offensive line.

“The offensive line I think is the MVP of that entire team,” Bruschi said. “The way they play, they are a great, physical unit that will scrap with you no matter what the score is, no matter where you are playing. It wouldn't matter what the weather is. They are a group of five guys that just fight together and play well together.”

Official Website of the New England Patriots - 10/30/03 6:18:43 PM

 Added linebacker Tedy Bruschi [news]: ``He's a guy that hasn't had a lot of reps, but he's a guy we can respect as a football player because of the system he's in. . . . No matter who is back there for the past decade, (Shanahan) has been a great coach with great schemes. And I'm sure we're going to see something different on Monday night.''

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Bull's eye on Kanell: Patriots target third-string QB

Patriots dream comes true for local students
By Aaron Gouveia / News Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
NORFOLK -- Students at the Freeman-Centennial School think it's a treat to have donuts and muffins in class, but having them delivered by New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi is even better.

Bruschi, the Patriots defensive captain known for his endless hustle and toughness, came to the school yesterday morning as a top prize in Dunkin' Donuts "Sports Dreams" contest, won by Alice MacAulay of Norfolk. The prize consisted of Bruschi coming to MacAulay's choice of her work or school, so the mother of three sent Bruschi to meet about 50 third- and fifth-graders yesterday morning.

Her children, Kelsey, 13, Nicole, 10, and Kyle, 8, were the guests of honor and got to talk with Bruschi for more than an hour while snacking on donuts and other Dunkin' Donuts items.

"Tedy is my favorite player because he has three sacks so far this season," said Kyle, who is the biggest Patriots fan in the family, according to his mother.

Although Kyle said he was excited, he pointed out this was the fourth time he had met Bruschi, and his neighbor is Patriots tailback Kevin Faulk. Kyle said he also has met Tom Brady and Richard Seymour.

The wide-eyed students chanted "Tedy, Tedy" as the middle linebacker entered the room and sat down next to them. Bruschi asked what the children were studying, their favorite Patriot players and quizzed them on some team trivia.

Then it was his turn to answer questions, and students had no shortage of them. Bruschi answered almost all the students' questions, and they found out he drives a Toyota SUV, lives in North Attleboro, that his best friend on the team is Ted Johnson, and that he was married five years ago and has two children.

When he told the group he was born in San Francisco, one student even asked him why he doesn't play for the San Francisco 49ers.

Thomas McCarty, 8, asked Bruschi if a mini-game could be staged on the spot, pitting all the students against Bruschi.

"That'd be too easy, I'd run you guys right over," Bruschi joked.

Throughout the session, students displayed their high football IQs and Bruschi learned the kids had a definite knowledge of the game. One astute child even asked what happened during a controversial overtime coin flip two weeks ago against the Miami Dolphins, when all three Patriot captains complained the referees mistakenly awarded possession to the Dolphins.

Bruschi laughed and then told the class the story. He said Brady called heads and then the ref flipped the coin, but since it was a commemorative silver dollar and not a standard coin, Brady had trouble deciphering exactly which side was heads and which was tails. He admitted the referee was correct.

"The bottom line is Tom doesn't know heads from tails," Bruschi joked, noting they got the win anyway on an 82-yard touchdown pass to end the game.

Fifth-grader Russell Greenstein said he was thrilled to meet Bruschi, his favorite football player.

"It was pretty cool, it was really cool actually," Greenstein said. "I think I'll remember this for a long time."

His classmate Eddie Riddoch agreed and said, "Tedy is the first Patriot I've ever met and I'm going to tell all my friends."

The "peel and win" promotion was featured throughout January and Dunkin' Donuts worked with the six professional Boston sports teams to give people the opportunity to meet with Boston's marquee athletes on a personal level.

Although chances of winning one of the grand prizes was 1 in 45 million, MacAulay won by entering a second chance raffle, which occurs when prizes are not claimed. She said entering contests like these is a hobby of hers, which takes up a couple hours of each day.

Last year she won her family a four-day, three-night trip to Cancun from a Kellogg's contest.

 11/03 Notes and Quotes

 Stingy foe for Pats
By Kevin Mannix/Patriots Day
Monday, November 3, 2003

EDGE: Patriots.
 

     KEY MATCHUP - RB Clinton Portis vs. LB Tedy Bruschi
 

     Since Terrell Davis' days, the Broncos have been a run-oriented offense. Their reliance on the ground game should be even more pronounced now, with third-stringer Danny Kanell at quarterback and go-to wide receiver Ed McCaffrey expected to be extremely limited if he gets on the field at all tonight.
 

     This season, Broncos running back Clinton Portis hasn't received the publicity he did last year -- when he burst on the scene out of the University of Miami -- largely because of the dominating performances of Jamal Lewis and Priest Holmes, but he's still very good. Patriots inside linebacker Tedy Bruschi is having his best season and this game gives him a chance to showcase his talents in a ``Monday Night Football'' forum.
 

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Stingy foe for Pats

Because of that uncertainty, you're liable to see the Patriots come out very conservatively in the early going. They don't want to come blitzing the Broncos come out with a series of screen passes.
 

     ``Given their offense,'' linebacker Tedy Bruschi [news] said, ``I'd think we'd like to put ourselves in defenses that don't include too many adjustment levels. We won't know what they're going to be doing and it doesn't make much sense to guess. After the first couple of series, their hand will be out there. That's when we can make adjustments.
 

     ``This is going to be a game of sideline adjustments. We'll see their first few series and go to the sidelines to sit down with `Rac' (Romeo Crennel, the defensive coordinator). He'll tell us this is what they're doing and this is what we're going to do against them.''
 

     Bruschi noted that because the Broncos do SO many things on offense, most of the preparation must be done before the team takes to the field.
 

     ``(Shanahan) is a great offensive coach,'' the veteran linebacker said. ``He can have one play that looks a certain way and then they move somebody and it's completely different. They show difference formations and schemes that you don't expect. That's why there was some much more preparation and film work this week. We've got to be ready for so many things and make so many adjustments.''

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Mind games: Shanahan, Broncos match Pats when it comes to scheming

This week's Notes and Quotes 11/05/03

Kevin Mannix/Patriots Report Card
Wednesday, November 5, 2003

LINEBACKERS - B-plus
 

     Willie McGinest [news] was a major factor in this win and not just because his six tackles tied him with Mike Vrabel [news] for the team lead. He rushed the passer. He held his ground against the run and he knocked the bejabbers out of Portis whenever he ventured into his area. The name of this game was hitting and McGinest was hauling off.   So were Vrabel and Roman Phifer who did a good job of keeping Portis from getting to the outside. Tedy Bruschi [news] had only three tackles but he was in position, clogging inside gaps (except on Portis' touchdown run) and forcing him to look around for holes.

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Not your father's Pats

11/4/03 ProFootball Weekly

 Spins

On defense, ILB Tedy Bruschi and Harrison have been the most consistent and valuable players. Bruschi is the only player in the front seven whom Belichick leaves on the field no matter the alignment (Ted Johnson, out with a foot injury, would be playing in Bruschis stead in short-yardage). Harrison is like an extra linebacker. Not great against the pass because hes stiff and doesnt move well laterally, Harrison has defended nine passes and is still a missile near the line of scrimmage who seeks out slot receivers daring to cross the middle of the field and is a sure tackler most of the time in the open field. Harrison (71) is sixth in the NFL in tackles, the only defensive back in the top 15, and Bruschi (69) is No. 10.

ProFootballWeekly.com / Commentary / Spins / 2003 / Belichick does it again; Bucs must buck trend

Tough Pats earn high praise
By Kevin Mannix/Patriots Report Card
Sunday, November 9, 2003

Linebackers - B-plus
 

     With Johnson, Colvin, Vrabel and even Willie McGinest [news] missing much of the first half, everybody feared the worst. Tedy Bruschi [news] can only do so much, and both Roman Phifer and McGinest are getting on in years. But Bruschi has elevated his game even higher than usual and both Phifer and McGinest (when healthy) have responded, as has fourth-year man Matt Chatham, who is usually a return-team specialist.   Bruschi has an interception, 10 passes defensed and two forced fumbles thus far. He and Phifer have effectively jammed up the running lanes between the tackles. Each has 74 tackles for the season, tied for second on the team behind Rodney Harrison [news], who has 80.

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Tough Pats earn high praise

Veterans Law, Bruschi come through for Pats

01:00 AM EST on Monday, November 17, 2003

BY PAUL KENYON
Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO -- In big games, good teams look to veterans to come up with the key plays. Which is why no one should have been surprised that Ty Law and Tedy Bruschi made the biggest of the many outstanding defensive plays for the Patriots last night.

The Pats defense was strong all night, as was obvious by the 12-0 final score in the victory over Bill Parcells and the Cowboys.

As so often happens with a Bill Belichick-coached team, the New England defense bent at times -- it allowed 17 first downs and 291 total yards -- but never broke. It never even came close to breaking because every time a big play was needed, someone was there to provide it, most notably Law and Bruschi.

"We knew it was going to be a defensive game going in. We knew it was going to come down on our (the defense's) shoulders, at least we think that way going in," Law said. "That's a good football team over there. They're one of the hottest teams in the league. We knew it was going to be tough."

Law, who is having another Pro Bowl-type season despite fighting through ankle problems for most of the first half, had two interceptions. His first was more important. Dallas had put together its deepest drive of the night, advancing to the New England 19, in the third quarter.

Quincy Carter went back to throw and got heavy pressure from Willie McGinest. He flipped a short pass to the right side to tight end Jason Whitten. Law was right there and he picked it off before Whitten had to chance to get it.

"The same thing happened earlier in the game," Law said of a deflection coming his way. "I told myself I wasn't going to miss it if it happened again."

Law then clinched the victory with an interception in the end zone in the final seconds. He now has 33 picks in his career, second in team history to Raymond Clayborn's 36.

By the time Law had his second interception, the Patriots had the victory in hand. They were trying to keep the Cowboys off the board.

"We were talking shutout on the last drive," Bruschi said. "We were saying, 'Let's stop them, let's get the shutout.' It's always great when you get a shutout. They don't happen a lot in this league. Any time you can get one it's real positive."

The Pats still had the chance at the shutout in part because of Bruschi's pivotal play. That came after the game had gone inside the 10-minute mark in the final quarter. Dallas was faced with a fourth-and-inches from midfield. Parcells, not surprisingly with his team needing two scores, decided to go for it. The Cowboys called time out to set up a play.

Twice earlier in the game they had run quarterback sneaks for the first down.

"If I remember correctly Rodney (Harrison) went over and pointed out the center," Bruschi said, "maybe gave them a different look. Maybe they just didn't want to do the same thing three times in a row."

Instead of the sneak, Quincy Carter handed off to halfback Troy Hambrick.

"It was a play they had been running before, sort of a counter action with the running back," Bruschi said. "I saw a gap, felt it was going to go that way and just hit it. I just used my instinct a little bit and there it was."

He hit Hambrick for a two-yard loss and the game was, for all practical purposes, over.

"On fourth and one it's like a turnover. We stressed this week that we knew turnovers were going to be big for us," he said. "We consider it a turnover because it gave our offense the ball right there."

As it was, the Pats won the turnover battle, 3-1. They are now 7-0 on the season when they have the advantage in that department. Bruschi, who went to the X-ray room after the game, apparently for tests on his elbow, insisted that he and his teammates were not as excited about beating their former coach as many of the team's fans might be.

"It's just another game we won. It's a victory," Bruschi said. "I'm not going to say anything different than I did during the week. None of that other stuff matters.

"I don't need to go over there and hug or anything like that or go over and say, 'How you doing?' All I care about is who's coaching this team," Bruschi said. "Bill Belichick is our coach. . . I don't concern myself with anything else. It was what we said during the week. You guys thought we were covering up, but we weren't."

The only covering up the Patriots did was on the Cowboys, on the field. And it was the veteran leaders, Bruschi and Law, leading the way.

This week's Notes and Quotes 11/17/03:

....Reading the play perfectly, Tedy Bruschi broke in and nailed Hambrick for the loss.
 

“The fourth down stop is sort of just like a turnover,” Bruschi said. “We anticipated a sneak maybe, they had run a sneak a couple of times on a third-and-short, but on fourth-and-one they tried to run a little counter action play which they had run in the first half. I just sort of saw the gap and sniffed it out and hit the gap.”  “We really didn't start talking shutout until the last drive and we were saying, 'Let's get the shutout,'” Bruschi said. “Then all of the sudden they are inside our 20. So Ty made a great play and we were able to keep the goose egg.”
 

Official Website of the New England Patriots - 11/17/03 10:51:09 PM

Boston.com / Sports / Football / Patriots / Dallas gets skunked

``Sure, I think it's a big win for all of our coaching staff,'' linebacker Tedy Bruschi [news] added. ``Going against someone you used to work for - if I worked for a guy as long as they worked for that guy, I'd want to beat him, too. It's common sense. I'm sure it feels good to them.''
BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Pats slam Tuna, 'Boys: Defense strong in 12-0 shutout

`We were talking shutout on the last drive,'' linebacker Tedy Bruschi [news] said. ``We said, `Let's stop them, let's get the shutout.' Because defensive-wise it's great to get a shutout because they don't happen a lot in this league.'' Indeed, it was the Pats' first shutout since 1996. The Dallas offense outgained the Pats offense in yardage, 291-268, but big defensive plays, such as Bruschi's tackle behind the line of scrimmage on fourth-and-1 in the fourth quarter, consistently prevented the Cowboys from capitalizing.  With the Pats leading, 9-0, Bruschi surged through the Dallas offensive line to take down running back Troy Hambrick for a 2-yard loss.   ``I just sort of felt it, I just saw a soft-side gap and just hit it. I just used my instincts a little bit and hit the hole, and there he was,'' Bruschi said. ``Fourth-and-1 is like a turnover. It's like a turnover, and we stressed this week that turnovers were going to be big for us.''  Although former Pats coach Bill Parcells' return to Foxboro had been hyped for two weeks, neither Bruschi nor Harrison attributed the defense's performance to a visit by the Cowboys' new coach. ``I'm just interested in winning games,'' said Bruschi, noting that the Ted Triangle was once again intact with the return of linebacker Ted Johnson [news] and defensive tackle Ted Washington from injuries.

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Pats `D' zeroes in on Cowboys

Pats ready and waiting
By Kevin Mannix/Patriots Report Card
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

LINEBACKERS - A

     Roman Phifer had eight tackles and Tedy Bruschi [news] picked up seven with another deflection to lead the way. Willie McGinest [news] may have been the most effective of the linebackers, with six tackles as well as a few pressures.

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Pats ready and waiting

This week's Notes and Quotes 11/24/03:

By HOWARD ULMAN, AP Sports Writer

Full article

Backs eye weather report
By Michael Felger/Patriots Insider
Friday, November 28, 2003

Key matchup: There will be a lot of intriguing one-on-one battles Sunday, including quarterback Peyton Manning vs. Wilson, receiver Marvin Harrison vs. Ty Law [news] and defensive end Dwight Freeney vs. Matt Light [news]. But we'll go with back Edgerrin James vs. Tedy Bruschi [news] as the most important. The Colts' big-play ability is contingent on defenses playing up against the run, and one reason Belichick has done well against Manning in the past is because the coach has had moderate success stopping James. In six meetings against Belichick, James has been held under 100 yards three times.  Bruschi will be a key run defender from his middle linebacker spot. Also, as linebacker coach Pepper Johnson wrote in his book two years ago, the Pats in the past have been able to steal the audible signals of Manning. You can bet that Bruschi will be listening carefully.

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Backs eye weather report

Jim Donaldson: Here's another team with a terrific staff

Sunday, November 30, 2003

Projo.com | Providence | Sports | Jim Donaldson

This week's Notes and Quotes 12/04/03:

It's never easy for Pats
By Kevin Mannix/Patriots Report Card
Tuesday, December 2, 2003

LINEBACKERS - A

     A number of these players have developed the ability to sense when a play has to be made, and McGinest is one of them. As he did in the Houston win, the veteran linebacker came through with a game-saving tackle, this time against James on fourth down from the Pats 1. He finished with only four tackles, but that didn't count the number of knockdowns he had against James when the running back attempted to go out on a pass pattern. Even when James didn't have the ball, McGinest was knocking him around. Bruschi had another strong all-around game with 12 tackles and two deflections, one on the goal line. Roman Phifer had his usual nine tackles with two deflections and Mike Vrabel [news] had five tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: It's never easy for Pats

Emotions are high
4 Dec 03 / by Andy Hart, Patriots Football Weekly 

“We are not a bunch of guys in here that really pat ourselves on the back,” Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi said. “We sort of look at the next opponent and the next challenge. You look at the film from the last game and you close the door on it. That's what we want to do. Close the door and forget about it. Forget about all the good things that happened last game. We had some good things that happened on the goal line stand to end the game, but you forget about it and move on to Miami.

“We are just playing good football. I think cohesive football. Sometimes when one unit isn't playing too well the other units are able to step up. The special teams stepped up last week and I think we really have to play a little field-position game this week. So that's offense, defense and special teams that have to play well together.”

Official Website of the New England Patriots - 12/4/03 10:08:20 PM

Boston.com / Sports / Football / Patriots / Harrison believes his actions will speak louder

It's Belichick's call: Weis' play selection subject to head coach
By Michael Felger/Patriots Notebook
Friday, December 5, 2003

Linebacker Tedy Bruschi [news] said he's looking forward to playing in front of friendly fans again.    ``You could really feel the home-field advantage for the Texans and the Colts,'' he said. ``And I want to feel it for us. The weather doesn't matter to me and it doesn't matter to Miami. I want to hear the fans.''
 

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: It's Belichick's call: Weis' play selection subject to head coach

Running game key to Pats' fate
By Michael Felger
Friday, December 5, 2003

  While the Patriots sort out their issues in the backfield, the Dolphins should have no such confusion. As was the case in last season's finale in Foxboro, the Dolphins will surely pound the ball with tailback Ricky Williams.
 

     ``He's the type of back that should thrive on these situations,'' linebacker Tedy Bruschi [news] said. ``They're going to count on him. I'm sure they're going to say, `Ricky, we're going to give you the ball and we're going to let you run.' And that's what he did up here the last time. He ran for something like 160 yards (185, actually). So I'm sure he feels pretty confident against us.''

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Running game key to Pats' fate

Pats wary of Ricky's snow storms
By George Kimball
Saturday, December 6, 2003

In just two sub-freezing NFL outings, the Miami running back is averaging 206.5 yards and two touchdowns a game.
 

     ``I think that's the strength of Ricky Williams' state of mind, really,'' Pats linebacker Tedy Bruschi [news] said. ``He doesn't have a long history of being in it or playing in it, but he's been able to block it out. I think it's a testament to his mental strength.
 

     ``You guys talk about (the snow) a lot, but we know it's not going to be a big factor, and I don't think they consider it a big factor either, considering the last two games they played in bad weather - when they jumped on us up here, and that game in Buffalo, where Ricky ran wild.''

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Pats wary of Ricky's snow storms

Can't Spell Tedy Without TD
December 8, 2003
By ALAN GREENBERG, Courant Staff Writer

FOXBORO Mass. - It's called having a nose for the ball. It's instinctive, can't be taught. It's how a 6-foot-1, 245-pound guy who runs like an old washing machine, a guy like Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, can thrive in the NFL.

"You can't say enough about that kid," said Patriots coach Bill Belichick, ignoring that Bruschi, 30, is middle-aged in NFL terms.

"He has got good instincts and Bruschi is one of his favorite players. "He has a real nose for the ball. Every time he catches it, he ends up in the end zone. I should put him on offense."

Amazing but true. When Bruschi intercepted Jay Fiedler's first-down pass and returned it 5 yards for a touchdown with 8:55 left, it was the fourth consecutive time Bruschi returned an interception for a TD. No other Patriot has even done that three times in a row.

And this one was a game-turning grab. Bruschi, playing his passing lane, leaped to snag the pass intended for Chris Chambers and waltzed 5 yards to turn a 3-0 cliffhanger into an 10-0 Patriots lead.

"I have great gloves," Bruschi joked when asked how he snared it. "I had man coverage on Ricky Williams. He drifted a little bit. I saw he was not going to be a threat [as a pass receiver]. Once you see that as a linebacker, you read the quarterback. My eyes went back to the quarterback. It's all about getting in the throwing lanes.

"I didn't know I caught it until I was halfway to the goal line. You get your hands up and you trust your hand-eye coordination."

The Patriots have learned to trust Bruschi, whose verve and savvy make up for his lack of size and speed.

Bruschi's scoring streak began with a 48-yard interception return in a loss to the Raiders at Oakland last season. Eleven days later, on Thanksgiving, he made a 27-yard interception return against the Lions, then hurt his knee, ending his season. On Sept. 14 this year, he intercepted the Eagles' Donovan McNabb and ran 18 yards for the touchdown.

None of those was as big as this swipe.

"We didn't want to prolong the fight," Bruschi said, after the Patriots clinched the AFC East championship with their 12-0 victory over the Dolphins. "We didn't want to prove anybody wrong. We just wanted to get hats and T-shirts and move on."

Bruschi only talked about the interception when asked. He preferred to talk about his tackle and two assists on special teams, an assignment he can't escape because he's so good at it. And he talked about teammate Ted Johnson, whose vicious hit split Dolphins left guard Jamie Nails' helmet.

But Bruschi didn't make any vicious hits Sunday. Just the game-turning play.

Bruschi pick breaks Dolphins' backs
Posted December 8 2003

The situation

The Patriots led 3-0, and punter Brooks Barnard pinned the Dolphins at the 4-yard line with 8:59 remaining in the game.

This week's Notes and Quotes 12/08/03:

Snowballin'

Patriots win 9th straight game, AFC East title

By Michael Smith, Globe Staff, 12/8/200

The offense produced Adam Vinatieri's 29-yard field goal 13:14 into the first period. The defense did the rest -- Bruschi's 5-yard interception return for a touchdown with about 9 minutes remaining, and Jarvis Green's sack of Fiedler for safety with 1:18 left.

Bruschi has returned his last four interceptions for touchdowns. "It was defense where we had all the guys covered up. I peeked at Jay's eyes and there was the ball right there. I had to reach up and grab it."

And the fans proceeded to grab and toss what was left of the estimated 30 inches of snow Foxborough received over the weekend. "That was incredible, wasn't it?" Bruschi said. "Throwing the snow up in the air with the music. It got me into the holiday spirit."

If the Patriots have their way, they'll have their egg nog toast during their second bye week.

Boston.com / Sports / Football / Patriots / Snowballin'

Patriots freeze Fish: Clinch AFC East crown with shutout
By Michael Felger  Monday, December 8, 2003

``We didn't want to prolong the fight,'' said linebacker Tedy Bruschi [news] moments after his interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter sealed the win and induced a wild snowball shower from the 45,378 hearty fans in attendance. ``Just finish it today. Get your hats and T-shirts in the locker room and move on.''

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Patriots freeze Fish: Clinch AFC East crown with shutout

Pats `D' has Razor's edge: Untouchable unit should be showered with praise
By Kevin Mannix/The NFL
Monday, December 8, 2003

For the hardy fans who turned out yesterday, being part of that particular piece of franchise lore was memorable, but nowhere near as much as the spontaneous celebration that broke out after Tedy Bruschi [news]'s touchdown interception return sealed it. As Bruschi crossed the goal line, the team was saluted with a cannonade of snow thrown, fireworks-like, into the air throughout the stands. Showers of snow enveloped the stadium as thousands grabbed handfuls of the white stuff they were sitting in or standing on and heaved it into the air.
 

     The Patriots had given them something special and they responded in kind with spontaneous joy after Bruschi's score. There wasn't a lot of action on the field yesterday, because of the conditions, but all that excess snow lent itself to an unforgettable sight.
 

     Credit the stadium staff for continuing it. Later in the fourth quarter, they played Gary Glitter's ``Rock and Roll, Part 2,'' the traditional sports anthem - and the fans followed the lead. Instead of shouting ``Hey!'' after the chorus, the fans joined together to hurl handfuls of snow in the air.
 

     It was time to celebrate and Patriots fans did themselves proud.

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Pats `D' has Razor's edge: Untouchable unit should be showered with praise

Pats take division title MICHAEL PARENTE , Sports Writer 12/08/2003

FOXBORO -- Nobody bothered to bring any confetti, so the fans at Gillette Stadium supplied their own.

When linebacker Tedy Bruschi ran an interception back for a touchdown with 8:55 remaining on Sunday to clinch New England’s 12-0 win over the Miami Dolphins, the crowd of 45,378 began to grab clumps of snow from underneath their seats and throw them into the air, creating a frozen fireworks display that whipped everyone into a frenzy.

The party got louder when Gary Glitter’s "Rock-N-Roll Part 2" started playing over the loudspeakers. The fans synchronized their celebration with the song, firing up more handfuls every time the famous chorus of "Hey!" cranked out. It was one of the wildest scenes in Foxboro since the Patriots beat the Oakland Raiders in the 2001 AFC divisional playoff under similar conditions.

The Call

FULL TILT, FULL TIME

Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi has now returned each of his last four interceptions for touchdowns. Bruschi returned a pick five yards for a touchdown to give the Patriots a 10-0 lead with 8:59 left in the game. It was the fourth interception Bruschi has returned for a touchdown in his career, ranking him second on the Patriots' all-time list behind Ty Law (6 INTs returned for TD). It was Bruschi's second interception returned for a touchdown this season (at Philadelphia), and it was the fifth defensive touchdown the Patriots have scored this season.

Official Website of the New England Patriots - 12/8/03 11:17:44 AM

Let it snow

Gillette Stadium was a playground

By Bob Ryan, Globe Staff, 12/8/2003

Just who started the festivities will be lost to history, but let the record show that when Tedy Bruschi picked off a fourth-quarter Jay Fiedler pass and romped into the end zone with the only touchdown in yesterday's 12-0 division-clinching conquest of the Miami Dolphins, people all over Gillette Stadium started tossing snow -- and there was plenty of it available -- into the air, transforming a staid sports venue into an adult playground.

"It was hard to believe that something I did resulted in that," said Bruschi. "I don't know if you can tell, but I was smiling through my facemask. That put me in the holiday spirit. I was ready to go home and sit in front of my Christmas tree lights."

Boston.com / Sports / Football / Patriots / Let it snow

Pats’ ‘D’ freezes ‘em out
By Kevin Mannix/Patriots Report Card
Tuesday, December 9, 2003

LINEBACKERS - A+

     Bruschi didn't have great numbers for an inside linebacker, finishing the game with six tackles, a deflection and an interception. That only shows you that statistics don't always tell the story. Once again, Bruschi made the decisive play, this time picking off a Fiedler pass and returning it for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

     That's the most significant characteristic you want in a player - to make plays. Bruschi continues to do that.

     So does Mike Vrabel [news]. He had only five tackles, but he also had a sack, forced a fumble, recovered another one and created constant pressure on Fiedler from the outside.

     Willie McGinest [news] had a sack and a deflection and he continues to disrupt opposing passing games by knocking around receivers as they attempt to get in their routes.

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Pats’ ‘D’ freezes ‘em out

 

PFW Game 13 Notes & Analysis
Notes
Compiled By Bryan Morry

 

Then Tedy Bruschi added another. Still trailing only 3-0, the Dolphins had a first down on their own 4-yard line. The Patriots were in man-to-man coverage when Fiedler dropped to pass, but Bruschi’s man was Ricky Williams, who hung in the backfield to read any blitzes before slipping out into his pass route. Bruschi read the situation and then made a huge play, stepping in front of Fiedler’s pass intended for Chambers, making a fingertip catch and walking 5 yards into the end zone for the game’s only touchdown.

“Sometimes when you’re in man-to-man coverage you can’t read the quarterback at all,” Bruschi said. “You just have to cover your man. I was in man coverage, but saw that the man I was covering wasn’t a threat to come out so I took my eyes back to the quarterback and just happened to be in the throwing lane.”

Snow fireworks ensued with the 45,378 faithful on hand grabbing the snow in the seating areas and just tossing it up in unison in a memorable and amazing scene while Gary Glitter’s “Rock ‘n’ Roll Part II” blared throughout Gillette Stadium.

“That was awesome,” linebacker Larry Izzo said of the fan display. “It was so surreal. I’ve never seen anything like that.”

“We fed off that,” Harrison added. “I’ve never seen anything like that.”
 

 

Brandt's fantasy analysis: Week 15

BYGil Brandt
Special to NFL.com

Good things come in fours

 

The New England Patriots have played four consecutive home games without giving up a touchdown, tying a record set in 1938 by the New York Giants. Ironically, the Giants went on to win the World Championship that year when they beat Green Bay.

Speaking of the Patriots, linebacker Tedy Bruschi, the AFC Defensive Player of the Week, is the first player in NFL history to return four consecutive interceptions for touchdowns. Earlier I mentioned how much of a competitor Dan Reeves is -- Bruschi is made from the same exact mold.

NFL.com - NFL Fantasy

Grogan's Grade: Week 13
With Steve Grogan & R.R. Marshall 
New England vs. Miami

RRM: You mentioned the key play by Tedy Bruschi who now has returned four straight interceptions for scores. Maybe they should consider playing him on offense?!

SG: Don't laugh, knowing Bill Belichick you never know! Miami quarterback Jay Fiedler never saw Bruschi on that play, and you could see that by the look in his eyes on the TV replay. Bruschi was hiding behind the defensive end and Fiedler didn't expect him to be there, let alone make the kind of catch he did on that ball. It's an amazing feat for a linebacker to catch the ball from that close range.

Bruschi is just a real leader on this team. He's the guy that makes big plays week-in and week-out. He's also very articulate and can talk to the press after games, and he's the kind of player the other players look up to on this Patriots team.

Grogan's Grade: Week 13 New England vs. Miami

Instinct Pays Off
by Staff of NFLInsider.com, December 9, 2003 at 6:41am ET


LB Tedy Bruschi has now returned four consecutive interceptions for touchdowns. He jumped in front of a quick slant intended for Chris Chambers and walked five yards into the end zone to give New England a 10-0 fourth quarter lead that may as well have been 30-0. Belichick cited Bruschi's instincts for the fine play and joked that he should move him to offense. Bruschi said, "Yeah, I don't think that's going to happen. That must have been his joke of the press conference, right?" Bruschi added that inside linebackers coach Pepper Johnson fires balls at them from close range every day in practice and that work helped him hold on to the ball despite being so close to the line of scrimmage and the quarterback. It was an incredibly athletic play by the underrated linebacker.

Click on thumbnail to read article.

Bruschi nominated for NFL Play of the Week
9 Dec 03 / by NFL 

NEW YORK, DECEMBER 8, 2003 - New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi's five-yard interception-return touchdown against the Miami Dolphins is among the five week fourteen nominees for the "NFL PLAY OF THE WEEK - PRESENTED BY LEVITRA"* (vardenafil HCI) - introduced by the NFL this season.

The award is presented each Thursday during the NFL regular season to recognize the single most exciting play that week as determined by the fans. Voting is open to the fans each week from Tuesday at Noon ET until Thursday at Noon ET, exclusively on NFL.com.

Each weekly winner will be a finalist for the "NFL PLAY OF THE YEAR - PRESENTED BY LEVITRA" - to be awarded at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Texas. Fans who vote at NFL.com each week can also be entered into a sweepstakes that will send one lucky winner and a guest to Super Bowl XXXVIII in February.

New England Patriots defensive end Willie McGinest's game-winning tackle of Edgerrin James on fourth and goal from the New England one-yard line against the Indianapolis Colts was last week's winner as voted by the fans at NFL.com.

For details and video of this week's nominees, past winners and the results of fan voting, log onto NFL.com.

Portis, Bruschi, Vanderjagt win AFC honors

(Dec. 10, 2003) -- Running back Clinton Portis of the Denver Broncos, linebacker Tedy Bruschi of the New England Patriots, and kicker Mike Vanderjagt of the Indianapolis Colts are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the fourteenth week of the 2003 season (December 7-8).

Denver's Portis became the sixth player in NFL history to rush for five touchdowns in a game as the Broncos defeated the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs 45-27 and regained control of their own playoff destiny with an 8-5 record. Portis carried the ball 22 times for 218 yards, good for a per-carry average of 9.9 yards. Portis' 218 rushing yards are the third-most in the club's 44-year history.

The second-year rusher from Miami scored on runs of 11- and 1-yard(s) in the first half, but the Broncos still trailed 21-17 at intermission. The second half was a 30-minute Portis fireworks show with 188 rushing yards on 11 carries (17.1 average) and touchdown runs of 59, 28, and 53 yards. Portis was removed from the game with 8:08 left in regulation after his 53-yard scoring sprint provided a 45-21 Broncos lead.

"Our offensive line kind of took it personally that everyone was always talking about the Chiefs' offensive line, and how great they open holes for [Chiefs running back Priest] Holmes," says Portis. "They went out and opened holes for me that anyone could have run through. So I take my hat off to our offensive line."

Portis' 188 rushing yards in one half is a new club record and leaves him only 52 rushing yards shy of becoming the third player in NFL history to post 1,500 rushing yards in each of his first two seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson and Edgerrin James of the Indianapolis Colts.

For Portis, the 2002 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, this is his first Player of the Week Award.

New England's Bruschi has a habit of making big plays. In a game between the top two clubs in the AFC East, the Patriots held a 3-0 advantage over Miami midway through the fourth quarter. The Dolphins took possession on their own four-yard line with 8:59 remaining when on first down, Bruschi snared a sharp pass fired by the Miami quarterback and returned it five yards for the game's only touchdown in a 12-0 New England win. Bruschi also registered six tackles on the day as the Patriots limited the Dolphins' offense to only 134 total yards.

The victory earned the Patriots their sixth AFC East division title and currently places the club as the AFC's No. 1 seed with three weeks to play. The win was New England's second-consecutive home shutout victory and marks the fourth home game in a row where Bruschi and the Patriots have not allowed a touchdown -- the longest such streak since the 1938 New York Giants, who went on to win the NFL Championship that year.

With his game-clinching interception return for a touchdown, Bruschi became the first player in NFL history to return four consecutive interceptions for touchdowns.

"Tedy's play there was one of the all-time greatest individual plays I've ever seen," says Patriots linebacker Larry Izzo. "It took a lot of athletic ability. To be able to snag the ball like that when he was about five feet away from the quarterback, and it's not like the guy is lobbing a little softball at you, either -- it just shows what kind of athlete he is."

In his eighth season from Arizona, this is Bruschi's second Player of the Week Award of the season (Week 2) and the second of his career. The San Francisco native is the first AFC player to win the weekly defensive honor twice this season.

Indianapolis' Vanderjagt continued his flawless season in helping the Colts win on the road to sweep Tennessee with a 29-27 victory. Vanderjagt, who has made his past 37 field goal attempts, was a perfect five-for-five in field goals and two-for-two in extra points to account for 17 of his team's points. The win earned Indianapolis sole possession of first place in the AFC South (10-3).

Vanderjagt was successful from 21, 35, 36, 23, and 26 yards. Trailing 10-3 at the end of the first quarter, the Oakville, Ontario, Canada native responded to account for all of the game's second-quarter scoring with three field goals for a 12-10 Indianapolis lead at halftime. The Colts never fell behind from that point forward.

"I think our team has learned that if you get in tight games and you play good teams, all the points matter," says Colts head coach Tony Dungy. "If you can get down there, get three, not turn it over and not come away empty, you're going to be in good shape."

Vanderjagt needs only three more field goals to set an NFL record for most made in a season (Olindo Mare, 39, Miami, 1999).

In his sixth year from West Virginia, this is Vanderjagt's fifth-career Player of the Week Award. Vanderjagt also was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November last week.
NFL.com - NFL News

Patriot games

Duane Cross SI.com

If a Nor'easter cannot slow Brady's bunch, nothing else will

It was cold -- 28 degrees with the wind whipping the remnants of 28 inches of snow at 25 mph -- and Patriots LB Tedy Bruschi was ready to take it to the house, even if it was only 5 yards away.

Tedy Bruschi AP

With New England clinging to a 3-0 lead midway through the fourth quarter (the result of a field goal on the Patriots' second offensive series), playing for field position became Bill Belichick's top priority. Enter NFL newbie Brooks Barnard to make his ninth punt of the day -- and it was a beauty: 36 yards to pin Miami down at its 4-yard line.

Facing first-and-10 with 8:59 to play, the Dolphins were expected to pound the ball with Ricky Williams for at least one play in an effort to escape the shadow of their goal post. But offensive coordinator Norv Turner, ever the trickster, had something else up his sleeve.

Dropping to pass on first down, Jay Fiedler looked to the right flat for a quick pass. At the same time, Bruschi took a step inside to play the run, recognized pass and began to retreat into coverage. Fiedler released the ball ... into the leaping mitts of Bruschi, who rumbled 5 yards into the end zone with the game-winning -- and AFC-East clinching -- pick six.

"It seems like every time he catches it he ends up in the end zone," Belichick said of Bruschi's INT return, the fourth TD of his eight-year career. "I should put him on offense." Fact is, it was Bruschi's fourth INT in his past 16 games -- and all were returned for scores.

SI.com - Writers - Cross: Pats' Brady continues to shine - Tuesday December 9, 2003 9:24AM

Bruschi at top of his game: Pats LB enjoying Pro Bowl season
By Michael Felger
Friday, December 12, 2003

 

FOXBORO - It wasn't too long ago that Tedy Bruschi [news] was thought of as little more than a situational guy. You know, a role player.
 

     That worm turned a few years ago, when most everyone came to the realization that Bruschi was, in fact, an impact, every-down linebacker.
 

     Now the respect for Bruschi's game has reached the next level. The Patriots [stats, news] coaches would never admit it, but privately they feel Bruschi belongs in the Pro Bowl. And the fans seem to agree, at least to the point where Bruschi should get consideration. Bruschi is currently fourth in balloting among AFC inside linebackers.
 

     Veteran safety Rodney Harrison [news] is certainly on the Bruschi bandwagon.
 

     ``I've played behind Junior Seau, but to me, Tedy and Junior are the two best linebackers I've ever played with,'' Harrison said. ``I never really knew what kind of player he was. I never knew he was so athletic. He has a nose for the ball like no one I've been around. The guy is a consummate pro. Always studying. Always looking at his playbook. Always watching film. I love the guy.''
 

     Bruschi's interception return for a touchdown late in last Sunday's win against Miami is all you need to know about what he brings to the defense. Bruschi is not the classic, point-of-attack ``mike'' linebacker, but his quickness, instincts and aggressiveness allow him to be one of the biggest playmakers on the best defense in the league. He has 109 tackles (second on the team) to go along with a sack, two interceptions and (in what has to be a league-leading total among middle linebackers) 14 passes defended.
 

     Not bad for a guy who was drafted out of college as a defensive end by Bill Parcells and didn't become a full-time starter until his fourth season.
 

     ``My goal every year since I got into the league has been to improve. And I think I've done a good job of doing that,'' Bruschi said yesterday. ``In the beginning I couldn't be a full-time player because, basically, I didn't know how. I didn't play linebacker coming out of college. I've had to progress from a full-time defensive lineman to a linebacker. Each year I feel like I've learned more. Even this year I feel like I know more than last year.''
 

     Last year was an up-and-down season for Bruschi as he suffered through a series of injuries. Not surprisingly, the Pats defense suffered right along with him. While Bruschi has played every game this season, he revealed that his health has been far from perfect. It's believed Bruschi suffered a sprained knee against the Giants Oct. 12 before injuring an elbow a few weeks later.
 

     ``You play in pain, of course,'' Bruschi said. ``I've had my things this year, believe me. In the Giants game I got tweaked up a little bit. Believe me, I haven't been 100 percent out there. It's just a matter of, can you deal with the pain and keep playing? Basically, that's what I've been able to do my whole career. When I miss games, you know I'm really hurt. Something like that happens you just try to put a brace on it and keep on going. You just keep pushing through it. You do what you can to stay on the field.''
 

      Bruschi is perfect for Bill Belichick's multi-tasking defense because he can play the run, rush the passer and cover down field. The Patriots coaches believe his blocking on the kickoff team is one of the major reasons why rookie Bethel Johnson [news] has broken off so many big runs. So far, the coaches have Bruschi with only one mistake this season, blowing an assignment on a blocked punt in Houston.
 

     As for the Pro Bowl, two inside linebackers are chosen from each conference, which puts Bruschi in range for an invitation after the players' and coaches' votes are factored in later this month. He certainly faces tough competition in Miami's Zach Thomas and Baltimore's Ray Lewis. Fan voting ends today on NFL.com.
 

     ``I'm not really aware of the Pro Bowl thing,'' Bruschi said. ``My brother jokes with me, saying, `Ted, I voted for you 10 times today.' I say, `Just chill out. We're getting ready for Jacksonville.' You know me. I'm not going to dwell on things like that. To me, success comes with winning football games. And that's what I want to do.''

Bruschi moved by snowy celebration

Fri Dec 12, 6:24 AM ET

By Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY

USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell spends two minutes with New England Patriots (news) linebacker Tedy Bruschi.

 

Q: You made a great play Sunday against Miami, intercepting a pass and returning it 5 yards for a touchdown that sealed the win that clinched the AFC East title. What did you see to make that play?

 

A: I had Ricky Williams in man-to-man coverage, and I saw that he wasn't a threat to leave the backfield. He was staying in to block. So my eyes went to Jay Fiedler. When he threw it, I just had to jump and get it. Thank goodness it was only 5 yards, or no doubt Ricky would have caught me from behind.

 

Q: How did the reaction from the crowd - snowballs flying from everywhere - grab you?

 

A: To see something like that from a play I made was touching. It put me in the holiday spirit.

 

Q: With nine victories in a row, the Patriots have the longest winning streak in the NFL. What's impressed you most during this stretch?

 

A: Just how we've been able to keep our focus. Every week all we talk about is the next opponent. This week it's all about Jacksonville. We realize that clinching the AFC East doesn't matter to the Jaguars. They are scrappy and playing good football.

 

Q: When you played at Arizona, you were a defensive end who tied Derrick Thomas' NCAA (news - web sites) sack record (52). For eight years in the NFL you've been a linebacker. How did you make the transition?

 

A: I was a defensive lineman my entire career, and then when I came here they told me they would put me at linebacker. In my first meeting with my (then-) position coach, Al Groh, he said, "When you read pass, drop back to the hook," I said, "The hook? Where's that?" So it took me some time. I knew I could rush the passer, based on what I did in college. But I could also look at myself in the mirror and see how big I was (now 6-1, 247) and know that my future in this league wasn't as a D-lineman. So I was open to it.

 

Q: Who's been the greatest influence on your career?

 

A: Don Hicks (Bruschi's coach at Roseville, Calif., High). When I started playing freshman football, I just went out for the team because a couple of buddies of mine were playing. On the first day he gave us a pep talk and said, "Now break up into your positions." I didn't have a position, so I just stood there. He looked me up and down and said, "Go with the linemen." That got me started.

 

Q: When you get away from football, what's your favorite hobby?

 

A: Jazz clubs. I've got a favorite place in Boston, Scullers. I'm going there tonight. That's what I like to do to relax. Listen to some good music.

 

Q: You also play the alto saxophone. How long have you played music?

 

A: I started playing the clarinet at 10.

 

Q: The Patriots defense has been in tune - especially at home, where you haven't allowed a TD in four games. Is there a parallel between playing in a musical set and playing on a defense?

 

A: There's the baritone sax, the tenor, the alto and the soprano that all must come together to make a sweet sound. That's what we've been doing on defense lately. With guys like Richard Seymour and Ted Washington up front, Willie McGinest and Mike Vrabel, and Ty Law behind us, we're all sort of playing together like you'd do in a quintet.

 

 

Q: During your streak, you've had some close calls, including the comeback win at Denver and the goal-line stand needed in the final seconds at Indianapolis. Does it feel like destiny? Remembering the year (2001) the Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVI, have you thought that you're in the middle of a special season?

A: We don't really do that. The different ways we've won, we just know there's more than one way. There's more than just the offense scoring a lot of points or the defense shutting teams down. Special teams plays a big part, and so often it gets down to a field-position battle. One of the biggest plays in football is when a punter pins a team deep in their own territory. So we need everybody to win. But I think the veterans help us keep the right perspective in continuing Coach (Bill) Belichick's message: You've got to take it one at a time. It's like, "OK, today was a good day."

Bruschi's game, music both in tune

01:00 AM EST on Sunday, December 14, 2003

BY TOM E. CURRAN
Journal Sports Writer

Tedy Bruschi, the Patriots inside linebacker, is a bit of a renaissance man. He's an accomplished alto saxophone player and a man who likes to challenge perceptions and convention. Interviewing Bruschi is not undertaken lightly. If he doesn't agree with something, he'll call you on it. He's as passionate off the field as on it. Bruschi made the play of the game last week, scoring the game-clinching touchdown against Miami. Plays like that may get him to a place few could have imagined: The Pro Bowl.

Q. How's the Christmas shopping going?

A. Thank goodness for the Internet. I have a laptop here in my locker and I do all my shopping right here after practice.

Q. Do you love picking the right gift for people?

A. I do. It's the time of the year to let the people in your life know how much you care about them. I try to do that with a gift, but it's also important to talk to your loved ones, and tell them how much they mean to you.

Q. What's your favorite Christmas song?

A. I think it's The Christmas Song. I played that in an alto saxophone duet when I was in middle school.

Q. Do you hope to funnel your sons toward having some musical interests?

A. I won't funnel them toward sports. I'll funnel them toward something where they develop their mind a little bit.

Q. How old are your boys?

A. Tedy will be 3 on Dec. 19 and Rex is 19 months.

Q. Has being a parent changed your life radically in the day-to-day?

A. Oh yeah. Being married, having children and forming a family, you can't be the wild guy you were in college all your life. I'm a football player and all that, but I'm a family guy first.

Q. Were you an only child?

A. No. I have an older brother Tony, he's 33, and I have a younger sister, Natalia. She's 29.

Q. Was your dad very involved when you were a kid?

A. My parents divorced when I was young, so I grew up for a time in a single-parent home. My mother basically raised us. She married my stepfather, Ron, when I was 6 and they've been together since.

Q. What impact did your parents' divorce and your mother remarrying have on the way you are as a father now?

A. My dad was still around. I saw him on the weekends. There's good times and bad times and not every family is Leave it to Beaver. Unfortunately, there are divorces. You try to do the best for your kids and your family and you have to do your best to make it work out.

Q. The hardest you've been hit this year?

A. I was hit pretty hard (Wednesday). It was Wilbert Brown.

Q. Do you appreciate, at this point in your career, being looked at as a guy who gets the most out of your ability or do you ever want some respect for being the athlete you are?

A. No. I don't need it. I like being looked at that way. Most of the kids coming up in football are the way I was, less size, maybe not the prototypical numbers for one position, but it makes me proud if kids can get some inspiration by saying, "If Tedy Bruschi can do it, I can do it."

Q. Are the Sacramento Kings ever going to win a title?

A. Sure. Why not? But I grew up a Celtics fan in San Francisco.

Q. What did you think of the Antoine Walker trade?

A. I don't really have an opinion.

Q. When you watch sports, because you're an athlete, do you watch them differently?

A. I don't look at sports as a fan anymore. My mind is going when I see a play, "What was he thinking?" or "Why did he do that?" "What play are they running? What defense are they running?

Q. Is there a guy on this team who makes you stand back and say, "He's got a lot on the ball?"

A. Mike Vrabel. He's one of the main guys out there. I'll call the defense and make adjustments, but he's the one saying, "They're in this formation, watch out for this."

Q. Will you stay here when you retire?

A. I don't know. Depends what I'll do, what kind of offers I'll get.

Q. Ever think about TV?

A. Sure. TV or radio. I do a couple of things on the radio. I do something with Gil Santos.

Q. Does the media ever get it right?

A. You do. I can walk around the media and watch them while they're in the locker room and I can see who gets it right and who gets it wrong. I'll never tell you, but I know who gets it right.

This week's Notes and Quotes 12/15/03:

We've got good news and good news

By Dan Shaughnessy, Globe Columnist, 12/15/2003

There was not enough snow to toss skyward when the Patriots went ahead of Jacksonville, 27-6, late yesterday, so fans sang and smiled when the public address system piped Andy Williams's "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" into the rare air at Gillette. Indeed. It's the most wonderful time to be a Patriot fan and these winter grid festivals have become like weekend Woodstocks, with the Razor playing the part of Max Yasgur's farm. You can absolutely feel the love. "It's the fourth quarter and we have a lead and they're still there," said veteran linebacker Tedy Bruschi. "We look up at them and smile and they smile back at us. It feels like we're one with the fans. We see them brave the elements. That's New England Patriot football and we play no matter what the elements are. They're sticking it out in the stands, so we'd better stick it out."

Boston.com / Sports / Football / Patriots / We've got good news and good news

Patriots know the way
By Kevin Mannix/Patriots Report Card
Tuesday, December 16, 2003

 LINEBACKER – B-

Bruschi was very involved once again, making 10 tackles and taking advantage of the running room Washington and Seymour provided. Willie McGinest [news] had only three tackles but he was a factor in the pass rush, frequently pressuring Leftwich. He even had his hands on a potential interception when he dropped back into coverage.   Other than that, it was quiet time for the backers. Mike Vrabel [news] had only three tackles, one more than Phifer. Ted Johnson [news] didn't get much playing time and didn't even make the stat sheet.

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Patriots know the way

Pats look ahead: Expect another tough game from rival Jets
By Rich Thompson
Tuesday, December 16, 2003

  Middle linebacker Tedy Bruschi [news] expects a tough game from the Jets. He said the Pats are not taking winning for granted.
 

     ``We're playing well, but right now we hit the road after two nice games at home where we played well,'' Bruschi said. ``We had a great time, but now we are going to the Meadowlands for the Jets.   ``I'm sure Pennington is playing well now. They are playing well, so for us to go down there and win is going to be tough for us. But that's what we have to do.''

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Pats look ahead: Expect another tough game from rival Jets

Pats bowling team is spare: Only Seymour, Law get voted in
By Rich Thompson
Friday, December 19, 2003

Ty Law:

``I thought we would have at least five or six guys that have played well enough to be on that team, especially guys like Rodney Harrison, who, far and away, is the best safety in the league right now,'' Law said. ``Tyrone Poole has played at a tremendous level. It would have been incredible to see Tedy Bruschi get to his first Pro Bowl for the things he's done for this team. Tom Brady is one of the best leaders in football, period.''

Pats bowling team is spare

To Patriots, Pro Bowl secondary right now

Players focus on the team's success, and believe individual honors will follow.

01:00 AM EST on Thursday, December 18, 2003

BY TOM E. CURRAN
Journal Sports Writer

"Can we talk (about Saturday's opponent) New York, please?" groused linebacker Tedy Bruschi. The Pro Bowl "is just something that isn't really important right now. Individual accolades come with team success, and that's all I focus on."

 Seymour:  It's such a crock sometimes because it's such a popularity contest. It's really awful. A lot of guys deserve to go that don't. I think Tedy Bruschi has had a tremendous impact on this team. Why he wouldn't go, I don't know.

Projo.com | Providence | Patriots

Patriots taking on same look of 2001
ANDREA SZULSZTEYN, AP Sports Writer

If the Patriots do win the Super Bowl again, they would be the best team in franchise history. They already have a record 12 regular-season wins, besting the previous mark of 11 set in -- you guessed it, 2001.

Patriots taking on same look of 2001

Jets hope to spoil home-field advantage plans for Patriots
ANDREA SZULSZTEYN, AP Sports Writer

Jets hope to spoil home-field advantage plans for Patriots

Thursday, December 18, 2003

COLUMN: Mike Lowe

Home for the holidays, and maybe beyond
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

Home for the holidays, and maybe beyond

Smooth moves, Romeo
By Kevin Mannix/Report Card
Monday, December 22, 2003

LINEBACKERS - A
 

     Tedy Bruschi [news] had another very impressive interception to go along with his eight tackles and one deflection. Willie McGinest [news] turned the game in the Pats' favor with his Bruschian touchdown return of an interception that gave the Pats the lead in the second quarter. He also had 11 tackles, several pressures, a deflection and a forced fumble. Big Mac's play over the last month may be as dominant as he's shown as a Patriot. Not bad for a guy who was considered dispensable when Rosevelt Colvin was signed as a free agent.  Mike Vrabel [news] was once again a dominant pass rusher, registering two sacks and a forced fumble among his five tackles.

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Smooth moves, Romeo

Jim Donaldson: Despite voting, Patriots Bowl over competition

01:00 AM EST on Monday, December 22, 2003

The Patriots have just two players going to the Pro Bowl, but they have many more who are playing like Pro Bowlers.

Take Tedy Bruschi, for example. Any team in the NFL would jump at the chance. Find any Patriots fan -- better yet, find any offensive coordinator -- who doesn't think Bruschi's a Pro Bowl talent.  He had another interception Saturday night, setting up the Pats' first touchdown. It was disappointing, however, that he didn't return it for a touchdown, as he has the last four passes he's picked off over the past two seasons. (That's levity, not criticism, in case anyone's wondering.)

Projo.com | Providence | Patriots

Yahoo! News - Patriots Look for Top AFC Playoff Seed

Tough trade-off: Bledsoe gets sympathy from old mates
By Michael Felger/Patriots Insider
Friday, December 26, 2003

Tedy on Drew:

The excuse-making isn't nearly as pronounced in Buffalo, where the fans and media are mostly amazed at how long Bledsoe holds on to the ball and how much trouble he has against the blitz.
 

     ``At times, of course. It's obvious,'' Pats linebacker Tedy Bruschi [news] said. ``He's holding the ball too long at times. But at others he's getting it out to the check-downs and he's still hitting the crossing routes. But sometimes when he's trying to get the ball down the field, the pressure does get to him.''
 

     While Bruschi was frank in that assessment, he and other players professed respect for Bledsoe's capabilities.
 

     ``I still see a guy that can make all the throws,'' said Bruschi.

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Tough trade-off: Bledsoe gets sympathy from old mates

Bruschi busts Bledsoe, Bills
By Rich Thompson
Sunday, December 28, 2003

FOXBORO - Drew Bledsoe's afternoon could be summed up in one insufferable fourth-quarter play inflicted by Patriots [stats, news] middle linebacker Tedy Bruschi [news].
 

     On third-and-9 on the Bills' 34, Bruschi broke unhindered through the porous Buffalo front, stripped Bledsoe as he sacked him, retrieved the bumbling ball and went 13 yards up field. Bruschi's hat trick led to an Adam Vinatieri [news] field goal and the final points in a 31-0 victory over the Bills before 68,436 yesterday at Gillette Stadium.
 

     ``Romeo Crennel made a great call and there was a blitz where we had every gap covered and they couldn't block everybody,'' Bruschi said. ``I got free and got a hand on Drew's throwing hand and affected the throw.''
 

     Bruschi missed a golden opportunity late in the first half to return an interception for a touchdown for the third time this season. Bledsoe was operating out of the shotgun and looking to hit wide receiver Eric Moulds on a crossing pattern. Bruschi sniffed out the play and got his hands on the ball on the Bills' 30 with no one between him and the end zone. But Bruschi bobbled the ball and watched as it fell to the ground.
 

     Bruschi returned interceptions for touchdowns against Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia and at home against the Dolphins' Jay Fiedler.
 

     ``If you didn't know, Drew throws the ball pretty hard,'' Bruschi said. ``He had some mustard on it and I wasn't able to squeeze that one.
 

     ``It was just a read where I had the middle of the field and I anticipated it was a three-step drop. As soon as he looked to the left, I'm going to the left. The ball was there, but I wasn't able to finish.''
 

     Bruschi finished with a team-high 10 tackles and his numbers were a microcosm of a system-wide defensive effort. The defensive front, linebackers and secondary operated as a unit to hand Bledsoe a humiliating quarterback rating of 34.7.
 

     Bledsoe completed 12-of-29 passes for 83 yards, with an interception by Mike Vrabel [news] on the Bills' first drive. Bledsoe endured a final indignity when he was benched in favor of Travis Brown in the fourth quarter.
 

     ``It was fluttering up there kind of like a Christmas gift from him,'' Vrabel said. ``But it was a big play.''
 

     The Pats' defense was equally effective against the run. Travis Henry rushed for 62 yards on 15 carries, including a lost fumble on the Pats' 10-yard line. Only one ball carrier, Denver's Clinton Portis, has rushed for over 100 yards in a game against the Pats' defense this year.
 

     ``He's a good back and he broke some tackles,'' Vrabel said of Henry. ``He played hard, he runs hard and going into the game he was our No. 1 priority.
 

     ``You can't let that guy get going, and we didn't.''

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Bruschi busts Bledsoe, Bills

This week's Notes and Quotes 12/27/03:

Fitting Finish -- Patriots 31, Bills 0 
27 Dec 03 / by Fred Kirsch and Andy Hart 

.....“Irony,” linebacker Tedy Bruschi said. “Isn't that the same score it was up there? Wasn't it a goal line stand and we couldn't get in? Talk about payback. It was very similar. I was sort of shaking my head a little bit how similar it was. It's a little strange, but maybe that's just Foxboro magic working itself again.”

I think that was a great call by Romeo [Crennel, defensive coordinator],” Bruschi said. “It was a blitz where we had every gap covered and they couldn't block everybody. So I came free. I was able to get a hand on Drew, on his throwing hand, and it sort of affected the throw and Vrabel has great hands. He's going to catch that ball every time.”
 

New England will watch the first week of playoff proceedings from home due to its No. 1 seeding and bye. They will play the lowest seeded team coming out of Wildcard Weekend.

“We have a couple of days off after this so I'll have a smile on my face for a little bit, but when we come back I think the veterans are going to stress in here, 'OK, it's time,'” Bruschi said. “What else can you achieve in the regular season? You can't achieve anything more besides getting the home-field advantage and we've got that so now we have to do something with it.

“Right now it's just about enjoying the bye and waiting to see who we'll play.”
 

Official Website of the New England Patriots - 12/28/03 9:57:57 PM

"As high as we are right now, tomorrow we have got to come down," linebacker Tedy Bruschi said Saturday. "However many we won in a row, the division title, it doesn't matter if we lose. The veterans are going to stress that around here starting tomorrow."

Yahoo! News - Patriots Preparing for All Opponents

Izzo picks perfect time for big play

His interception preserves shutout

By Michael Vega, Globe Staff, 12/28/2003

Boston.com / Sports / Football / Patriots / Izzo picks perfect time for big play

Patriots Sidelines
December 28, 2003
By ALAN GREENBERG, The Hartford Courant

Three-Pack Of Bruschi

Bruschi got the trifecta on the first play of the fourth quarter. With the Patriots leading 28-0, Bruschi sacked Bledsoe, forcing a fumble that Bruschi recovered and returned 13 yards to the Bills 14. Four plays later, Vinatieri kicked a 24-yard field goal for the game's final points.

ctnow.com: FOOTBALL

Ballot time:  Peter King, SI

End of regular season means it's time for awards and all-pro honors

ILB: Tedy Bruschi, New England. I feel really bad about keeping Dat Nguyen ("a football-playing dude,'' said Bill Parcells) of the Cowboys off this team. In fact, this was my final decision. But go back and watch the Patriots this year, a team that allowed 1.33 points per game less than any other team in football, and you'll see Bruschi in the middle of everything. Playing inside, outside, in coverage, rushing the passer.

SI.com - Writers - Peter King's MMQB: Handing out awards and all-pro honors - Monday December 29, 2003 11:36AM

Good sign: Brady’s A-OK
By Kevin Mannix/Report Card
Monday, December 29, 2003

LINEBACKERS - A
 

     Bledsoe felt plenty of pressure from these lads. Tedy Bruschi [news] caused a bad pass on Bledsoe's one interception, blitzing up the middle and getting in the quarterback's face just as he threw the ball. After that it was up to Mike Vrabel [news] to finish the deal and he did, picking off the bad pass and returning it 14 yards to the Buffalo 34.
 

     That set up the Pats' second score and, with a 14-0 lead and Bledsoe facing this defense, the game was over. Bruschi had one of those triple-threat plays - sacking Bledsoe, forcing a fumble and then recovering the ball. He also had chances for two more interceptions. One would have been a tough catch but the other was a little floater that should have been an easy interception and would have been an easy touchdown.
 

     He finished with a game-high 10 tackles but seemed to get more enjoyment out of Larry Izzo's play as his replacement. With limited playing time, Izzo had three tackles, a deflection and the end-zone interception that preserved the shutout at the end of the game.

BostonHerald.com - Patriots: Good sign: Brady’s A-OK

• Difference maker on defense: LB Tedy Bruschi led a Patriots defense that allowed just one touchdown and five field goals (22 points overall) in its last six home games.  SI.com - Writers - Don Banks: AFC playoff field breakdown - Monday December 29, 2003 2:18PM

Breaking down the AFC playoff teams 12/30/03

Pivotal players: The whole linebacker corps. Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Willie McGinest and Roman Phifer are more than strong second-level defenders -- they are the heart and soul of the Pats' 3-4. Bruschi has led the way in making team-inspiring big plays.

Yahoo! News - Breaking down the AFC playoff teams

http://patriots.theinsiders.com/2/218322.html

NFL.com - NFL News

Strong Season Began With Uncertainty Tue Dec 30, 5:56 PM ET

By HOWARD ULMAN, AP Sports Writer

FOXBORO, Mass. - Tedy Bruschi checked the New England Patriots (news) roster before the season and felt optimistic. "I said, `We're pretty good,' " he said Tuesday. "I really thought we could do some things." The linebacker couldn't have imagined his team would accomplish so much — the best record in the NFL and a 12-game winning streak with a stingy defense and an outstanding quarterback.

Yahoo! News - Strong Season Began With Uncertainty

Patriots Notebook: There's plenty of work to be done

Projo.com | Providence | Patriots

Bill Belichick Press Transcript - 12/30
30 Dec 03 / by New England Patriots 

Pats' Bruschi is man in the middle of everything

The New England linebacker and defensive captain does a lot more than just put up impressive numbers.

01:00 AM EST on Wednesday, December 31, 2003

BY CAROLYN THORNTON
Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO -- Don't ask Tedy Bruschi to rank his individual performance this season. At least, not yet. He won't be ready to answer that question for another month or so because only then will he know whether or not he was successful in bringing another Super Bowl championship back to New England.

"Every year I just try to come in with a goal to improve from the previous year, so I think I've done that," the Patriots linebacker said yesterday before practice at Gillette Stadium. "I've done all right, but I judge my success on what we do as a team. That's still up in the air, so I want to finish the year."

Even though Bruschi may be reluctant to evaluate his performance at this point, the numbers he put up in the regular season speak volumes about his contribution to a defensive unit that allowed the lowest points per game (14.9) not only in franchise history but in the entire NFL this season.

The defensive captain finished the regular season second on the team behind Rodney Harrison in tackles with 137 (87 of them solo), just one less than the career-best he posted in 1999. He also forced three fumbles, recovering one.

After becoming the first Patriots linebacker to return two interceptions for touchdowns in 2002, Bruschi went one better this season and became the first player in NFL history to return four consecutive interceptions for TDs.

The first two pickoffs he scored on came in November 2002, a 48-yarder he grabbed from Oakland's Rich Gannon Nov. 17 and an interception of Detroit's Joey Harrington that he returned for 27 yards Nov. 28.

Then in the second game of the 2003 season, Bruschi picked off Philadelphia QB Donovan McNabb and ran it in from the 18. Earlier this month, he returned a Jay Fiedler interception 5 yards for a touchdown in New England's 12-0 win over Miami on Dec. 7.

Bruschi's streak was snapped a week and a half ago when he failed to score off his interception against the Jets.

"He has done a terrific job for us all the way around," said Pats coach Bill Belichick. "His leadership -- he is one of the team's captains. He is the defensive signal caller. He has to make a lot of adjustments from that linebacker position. His play on the run and in the passing game. He has been a solid player for us in the kicking game as well -- punt team, field goal team, kickoff return team. He has been an integral part of a lot of things we do both on and off the field."

What has impressed Belichick about Bruschi's progression since first joining the Patriots in 1996 is the way he learned to handle the added responsibilities that came when he was switched from being a down lineman to a stand-up linebacker, a position Bruschi had never played until four or five years ago.

"That is a huge transition from playing down to playing on his feet," Belichick said. "Tedy brings a lot of high energy to the game and brought that even as a rookie in his different roles. . . . He did a great job of that. I think the leadership comes with confidence. It comes with performance. It comes with production. It comes with experience. And that was a lot more evident when I came back in 2000 than what it was in 1996."

Bruschi says it took him about three years before he truly felt comfortable with all the changes.

"It was something I just had to get used to," he said. "It was a transition for myself. I think a big attribute for myself is my intelligence. I've been able to pick up various defenses and play various positions and get better at it."

Not only has Bruschi gotten better, says Belichick: "I think that Tedy has come about as far as a player could come really.

"He probably has as many responsibilities on the field as any player. He is involved in every running play, every passing play, every blitz. Every time he is not blitzing, he is involved in the coverage and that is multiple coverage, too, because you are talking about a combination of backs and tight ends and . . . guys crossing and switching them off and all of those kinds of things. Audibling when we need to change defenses for whatever reasons. He has assumed a wide variety of responsibilities.

"There is not one quarterback on defense like there is on offense; there are more people involved in the communication than that. But certainly the middle linebacker is at the top of the food chain there in terms of the communication and decision making from a defensive standpoint."

Bruschi is epitome of workmanlike Patriots team

(Alternate headlines:)

Breakthrough season for Pat's Bruschi

Patriots LB has good year on defense and offense

 Pats linebacker Bruschi has nose for end zone

Tedy an offensive bear

Bruschi sparks Patriots defense

By JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer
January 1, 2004

FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) -- Tedy Bruschi has been so proficient at getting into the end zone that New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick joked he might switch the linebacker over to offense.

Bruschi has three interceptions this season, and when he returned the first two for touchdowns, that made an NFL record four consecutive times he scored with a pickoff. With 12 points, he is the team's ninth-leading scorer, ahead of fullbacks and wide receivers and quarterback Tom Brady.

``He has had some other pretty good (years), too. But he has had a lot of production and a lot of big plays this year,'' Belichick said. ``So you probably have to put it up there with any other season he has had.''

After finishing the regular season with the NFL's best record, the Patriots (14-2) are off this week while the AFC winnows its playoff field from six to four. New England will play at home Jan. 10 against the lowest-seeded team remaining in the conference, either Baltimore, Denver or Tennessee.

The Patriots earned the bye despite early-season injuries that might have decimated another defense. Among the injured were linebackers Ted Johnson and Mike Vrabel, meaning Bruschi needed to play a bigger role as a player and a leader, on defense and on special teams.

Although his touchdowns made the highlight reels, Bruschi's true contributions have come as a signal caller and steady leader of the defense. He is second on the team with 137 tackles, 87 of them solo. He also forced three fumbles and recovered one.

It's all the more impressive because he hasn't been a linebacker that long, having converted from a defensive lineman after the Patriots drafted him from Arizona in 1996. He didn't really become a starter until 1999.

``I've only played linebacker for about four or five years in my entire life,'' he said. ``So it was something that I just had to get used to. I think a big attribute for myself is just my intelligence. I've been able to pick up various defenses, play various positions and get better at it.''

Belichick agreed.

``I think that Tedy has come about as far as a player could come, really, from his background,'' he said. ``He probably has as many responsibilities on the field as any player. He is involved in every running play, every passing play, every blitz. ... He has assumed a wide variety of responsibilities.''

Safety Rodney Harrison said his new teammate compares to an old one, Junior Seau. Both are hardworking and serious about their game.

``You don't see him celebrate too much. You don't see him get too high, no matter what he does,'' said Harrison, who played with Seau before signing with the Patriots as a free agent last spring. ``He's just a consummate pro. He's a tremendous football player. He's one of the best linebackers I've ever played with.'

This week's Notes and Quotes 01/04/04:

One-track minds

Focus clearly a strength of Patriots

By John Powers, Globe Staff, 1/4/2004

Boston.com / Sports / NESN / Eric Wilbur / Give and take

 They are a team I highly respect because they are so much like us. They are a physical team that wants to keep hitting you to see who can win in the fourth quarter." Tedy Bruschi, Patriots linebacker, on the Titans

Projo.com | Providence | Patriots

On Rodney Harrison

Yahoo! News - Harrison Gets Back to Winning His Ways

AFC: If big stop is needed, Pats call on Bruschi

This week's Notes and Quotes 01/11/04: (continued 1/14)

Pats Locker Room Quotes 
14 Jan 04 / by New England Patriots 

Official Website of the New England Patriots - 1/14/04 7:00:44 PM

Boston.com / Sports / Football / Patriots / Foes have run up good numbers

Manning sparks own heat wave

By Bob Ryan, Globe Columnist, 1/13/2004

Peyton Manning:

"Bruschi is so overlooked and underrated; he's an excellent player," Manning said.

Boston.com / Sports / Football / Patriots / Manning sparks own heat wave

Woody doubtful, Hochstein could start
14 Jan 04 / by Andy Hart, Patriots Football Weekly 

With the current frigid temperatures in New England and a game forecast for temperatures in the 20s, the cold weather is still a hot topic in the locker room. One the players feel is overrated. “You just go play,” Brown said. “There is nothing you can do. Just go out there and play. That's what we get paid to do is play football. Whatever the conditions, then that is what we were given and that's where we have to go out and perform.” “As cold as it's going to be for them, it's going to be just as cold for us,” linebacker Tedy Bruschi said. “We are up here. We are in it. We are used to it. But it's not going to be that big of a factor.”

Official Website of the New England Patriots - 1/14/04 7:22:25 PM

A Look At Four Super Matchups

By Mike Cobb

The best player not too many people have heard about might be Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi.

A Look At Four Super Matchups | theledger.com

2 Titans find Pats mighty tough

Manning is a magician at the line of scrimmage, and the Patriots will have to stay calm as the Colts' quarterback calls the signals.

"We'll still have to adjust," said Tedy Bruschi. "We'll be making adjustments on the fly out there, just like Manning is doing when he's calling audibles. When he's calling audibles, we'll be looking to see what formation they're in and see what they're doing. They won't be in a huddle, so we won't be in a huddle, and we will react from there."

Vrabel, Willie McGinest, Roman Phifer and Rodney Harrison have called audibles for the Pats this season.

"Veteran leadership right there," said Bruschi. "This isn't the first time we're playing in a championship game. We've been here before, and it's just about staying calm, seeing what they're doing and reacting. If there's a problem, we adjust on the sideline."

The Colts have had plenty of momentum on offense all season, and have blown out some of their opponents. So the Patriots' defense will have to find a way to stifle that energy, and they have a pretty good idea how to do it.

"First, you want to stop their big plays," said Bruschi. "Their big plays have been plentiful in the playoffs, and we hope to limit those."

New England doesn't want to play a game of cat and mouse with Manning and the Colts' offense. Bruschi said that in order for the defensive unit to be successful, it will have to be technically sound and play its cards close to the vest.

"They do a lot of things," Bruschi said. "They do so many things, we have to realize we're going to have to adjust and be mentally sharp."

Projo.com | Providence | Patriots

Patriots learn from the first meeting

By Glen Farley, Enterprise staff writer

01/16/04

FOXBORO — It was a microcosm of their current playoff run.

"The thing I took out of that game is they won't quit," Patriots inside linebacker Tedy Bruschi said. "No matter how many points they're down by, no matter what the situation is, Peyton is still going to be back there keeping those guys focused and telling them, 'We can still get this done."

The Enterprise at SouthofBoston.com

Pats are only looking at Sunday

By Eric Wilbur, Boston.com, 1/16/2004

BOSTON -- Blame the Big Dig if you want. Blame Friday evening traffic in Boston. Blame it on the fact that the NFL decided to set up its AFC Championship game headquarters at an airport hotel, but Patriots coach Bill Belichick was late for his afternoon press conference with the media today at the Boston Hyatt Harborside. So instead, an out-of-town reporter asked Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi if the NFL Coach of the Year were present, what would he have to say?

Bruschi didn’t bite.

“Come on man,” he said. “I could entertain you for a bit but I’m going to pass on that. We’ll save that for the locker room.”

The response drew a chunk of laughter from the crowd, but the irony is that Bruschi is one of the most studious disciples of the Belichick way in the Patriots locker room, toeing the coach’s line of focusing on one game at a time, never looking ahead.

In fact, when asked about New England’s current 13-game winning streak, Bruschi replied, “We look at it as winning one in a row 13 times.”

Bruschi was asked if he would stack the Colts’ attack up with that of St. Louis’ two years ago.

“I think the Colts are even hotter than the Rams were back then,” he said

Boston.com / Sports / Football / Patriots / Pats are only looking at Sunday

Tedy on Manning:

"It's ridiculous," said New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi. "I haven't seen a quarterback as hot as he has been. He is on fire."

Manning on Tedy:

“You look at that defense and see a bunch of talented players making plays,” Manning said. “Tedy Bruschi is one of the top middle linebackers in football who sometimes gets overlooked because of Ray Lewis and Zach Thomas."

Tedy Bruschi AFC Press Transcript 
16 Jan 04 / by New England Patriots 

Q: How much do you guys look forward to the challenge of trying to eliminate the hottest quarterbacks ?? one of the hottest quarterbacks in playoff history?

TB: You got Peyton this week, Steve McNair last week, one MVP after the other. It is a challenge for us, and we step up to the challenge a little bit more knowing Peyton has been as hot as he is, eight touchdowns, 12 incompletions the last two weeks. I haven't seen a quarterback as hot as he has been. He is on fire.

That's something we sort of look forward to is we shut one down last week and hopefully we can shut another one down this week.

Q: Hey, Ted, having played Peyton before, how important is it for you guys to get on him early get in his face and take some time away from him?

TB: That's something you always want to do, put some pressure on him, but like we have seen on film, they have got a free run to the quarterback, and he has got such a quick read of defenses. He is able to get the ball out, so even though you get pressure on him, he is still able to make plays.

I think one of the things we are going to do is play good defense and let our four down linemen do a good job because we are going to need an extra guy to cover all those fast receivers.

Q: What things have you noticed different from the first time you played the Colts to what you have seen the last two games of video?

TB: I think they are operating just at a higher level. I mean, the first time I think we had success against them, yeah, and Peyton was struggling at times, but the last two games you don't see them struggling at all. They are more efficient, they are highly confident and the way they are able to move up and down the field the last two weeks is something that's totally different than the way we played them. I mean, not having punted in two games, that's ridiculous.

Q: They are calling the Colts the road warriors, and 8-1 on the road you guys are perfect at home. How much tougher is it to be able to do that on the road than to keep it perfect at home?

TB: As good as they have been on the road, we have been just as good at home, and something has got to give Sunday. Those questions will be answered Sunday because when you get two teams that are playing as well as they are and we are, a great home team and a great away team, it's going to be fun for the fans to watch.

Q: Not in terms of the ability two years ago this time versus this year's team, but in terms of the experience, is it easier to prepare this time around because of the experience of a couple years ago?

TB: Yeah. I mean, you saw us in the locker room last week. We had one key divisional game to get us to the AFC championship, and we weren't jumping for joy in there. It's because a lot of the guys have been there before and we know what the big goal is. The goal that we want to get to, the game we want to get to. Last week was just a step, and this week is going to be a huge step for us, also, and hopefully we can take it.

Q: Along the same lines, Ted, as far as a couple years ago, more than any other game the last three years, this game resembles the greatest show on turf against the Patriots defense. Does that past success mean anything to you guys or is it two years old?

TB: It's two years old. That's the way I feel about that. I think the Colts are hotter than the Rams were back then. I know the Rams had done some historic things, three years in a row scoring 500 points, but the last two weeks, in terms of playoff football, the success about putting points on the board, that's something the Rams couldn't even match last time.

Q: There has been so much talk about Peyton this week. How much do you think that motivates a player like Tom?

TB: Well, I will let you ask Tom that question, but I think Tom is a player that's motivated no matter what situation it is. But one thing off that, the one thing, you talk about Peyton, you talk about the receivers, I think a guy that's sort of been forgotten is Edgerin James. The success he has had the last two week, the way he was able to run the ball in Kansas City, he is a guy we want to stop first and foremost. He hasn't even been talked about.

Q: One of the defenses is the way you mix things up and show quarterbacks different looks and at times confuse them. Is it next to impossible against a guy like Manning, who is known as such a hard quarterback?

TB: I think that's going to be very difficult to do because of the intelligence level Peyton has. You hear about the film studio he has at his house, so to fool him is going to be very difficult, because half the time I think he is trying to fool us, too, fool us with all the audibles and all the changes at the line of scrimmage. You don't know what's real and what's fake, so we are going to see what he is doing and we are going to execute the defense we have called on that particular play and not worry about anything else.

Q: The kind of winning streak you guys are on it doesn't happen in this league anymore. Does that take you to any kind of new level of confidence?

TB: Well, what's it been, 13 in a row, It's been 13 in a row, but we don't look at it that way. We sort of look at it as one in a row 13 times. That's the way we see it. That's the focus we have had throughout the year, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, all the way down the line. We are just looking at not the next game, but the next day, let's work well today, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and don't worry about the streak but just worry about the team that we are playing that particular week.

Q: Do you think that the weather won't be a factor for a dome team?

TB: No, because it's something we both have to deal with. It's going to be just as cold on their sideline. You got the heated benches. Players wear things to keep warm, so that's something we don't consider an advantage or a disadvantage.

Q: On a personal level, being in this game, how is this experience different this time?

TB: Like I said, after the Tennessee game, your first victory in the playoffs is big, your second one you feel excited about, but we have been a successful program here ever since we have gotten here. We have been up and down and able to come back up. Our expectation levels are very high. When you have won a big game, you have won so many before, you sort of look at it as we want to get to the bigger one.

Q: What's the one thing you have enjoyed the most about playing in this atmosphere, playing in these big games. What's the one thing you really like about it?

TB: Just that if you win it, it puts you in the big one. That's it. You know, it's fun to play in, it's exciting. The area is excited, but you have to look at it just the way you have looked at every other game. You prepare the same, you focus the same, and it just so happens to be the AFC championship game, and if we win this, we will get to the big one. You don't want to magnify it too big where you get too stressed out or too excited or too anxious or anything like that. Just realize we will get it done