Under Bill Belichick Chad Thomas Color Rush Jersey , the New England Patriots have often thrived when inundated with scrutiny from outside of their locker room.
Theyr17;ll have to do it again this week as they prepare for their divisional round matchup with the Tennessee Titans.
Belichick said Monday that it is r1;absolutelyr1; his intention to return as coach of the Patriots next season, despite reports of turmoil in the franchise involving himself, quarterback Tom Brady and team owner Robert Kraft.
Belichick said he didnr17;t have anything to add to a joint statement the three men released last week in response to an ESPN report, citing undisclosed sources, that detailed an array of tension.
r1;I havenr17;t read the article. Ir17;ve already commented at length about that situation,r1; Belichick said. r1;Nothing has happened since then Antonio Callaway Color Rush Jersey , so I donr17;t have anything to add to it.r1;
The ESPN story highlighted purported disputes concerning Bradyr17;s personal body coach, Alex Guerrero, in player-medical affairs.
Also mentioned was a supposed difference between Kraft and Belichick over the decision to trade former backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The story implied Brady has taken issue with a lack of praise from Belichick this season.
When asked about another report about his supposed interest in coaching the New York Giants where he was a defensive coordinator, the Patriots coach said he is concerned only on New Englandr17;s game with the Titans on Saturday night.
r1;Thatr17;s where my total focus is,r1; he said.
Last season the Patriots played under a similar spotlight after Brady was suspended for the first four games as punishment for his role in the r1;Deflategater1; scandal.
New England thrived when he returned, and went on to earn its fifth Lombardi Trophy with a record comeback during its Super Bowl win over Atlanta.
The Patriots havenr17;t lost in the divisional round of the playoffs since falling 28-21 to the New York Jets after the 2010 regular season. New England has made it to at least the conference title game in each of the past six seasons.
Special teams captain Matt Slater Breeland Speaks Color Rush Jersey , now in his 10th season with the Patriots, said Belichickr17;s leadership sets the tone when possible distractions creep up.
r1;Coach Belichick has always led us in a way thatr17;s been very direct, to the point, very focused on the task at hand,r1; Slater said. r1;Being able to live in the moment, and just take things day by day.r1;
Slater said itr17;s why he wonr17;t even give a thought to things such as the Giants coaching rumors.
r1;Ir17;m just focused on preparing for the Tennessee Titans with coach Bill Belichick as my head coach for the 2017 season Derrick Nnadi Color Rush Jersey ,r1; he said.
r1;I think everyone in that locker room feels the same way. The nature of professional football is tomorrowr17;s not guaranteed to anyone; players, coaches. Thatr17;s life.r1;
Told of Belichickr17;s comment that he plans to return as coach in New England next season, safety Patrick Chung chuckled.
r1;Ir17;m juiced. Keep coming back,r1; he said. r1;When her17;s done, Ir17;ll be done, too.r1;
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Chiefs linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis has been charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana Dorian O'Daniel Color Rush Jersey , THC and drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop in suburban Kansas City on Thursday night.
Pierre-Louis also was charged with driving without a valid license and failure to display a valid plate or current registration. He pleaded not guilty to all charges in Johnson County District Court on Friday and was released after posting $2,500 bond.
Pierre-Louis is due back in court next Thursday.
The 26-year-old linebacker, who was acquired last offseason from the Seattle Seahawks, appeared in 13 regular-season games and the Chiefsr17; playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans.
