What have you seen from him as your first year playing and obviously being one of the main signal callers in that defense?

Yeah, I mean, just speaking on the secondary, you know, the camaraderie's been great.

You know, I've developed a quick, very quickly, very good relationship with everybody.

It's been kind of tough the first beginning of this year because we haven't really had a lot of time to play together.

Yeah.

the first game of the year in Seattle.

So, you know, honestly, I think sky's the limit for this group.

What have you seen from Green Bay? I know it's early in the week, but what's kind of your first impressions of this team and what you think is important to help you all get a win this week?

A little bit of Butterfingers over there.

Yeah, honestly, I think Jordan Love is one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

I understand that he doesn't get the love that some of these other guys get, maybe because he hasn't been in those big games, big playoff games.

But when you talk about the deep ball, he throws the prime Russell Wilson, I call it a moon ball, where the ball literally goes straight up and down.

And he's going to take shots with Christian Watkins down the field.

I think Matthew Golden, the second-year receiver, he's really coming on.

He has a lot of juice, and I think that's a guy we're going to have to stop as well.

So, like, what do you remember about that? Like, is there a good story behind how all that went down?

A little bit of Butterfingers over there.

Yeah, honestly, I think Jordan Love is one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

I understand that he doesn't get the love that some of these other guys get, maybe because he hasn't been in those big games, big playoff games.

But when you talk about the deep ball, he throws the prime Russell Wilson, I call it a moon ball, where the ball literally goes straight up and down.

And he's going to take shots with Christian Watkins down the field.

I think Matthew Golden, the second-year receiver, he's really coming on.

He has a lot of juice, and I think that's a guy we're going to have to stop as well.

So, like, what do you remember about that? Like, is there a good story behind how all that went down?

halftime?

I mean, it was just keep battling.

Obviously we didn't like the way we finished the first half.

I think we played really good in the first half.

We wasn't playing complimentary enough.

And honestly, we didn't feel like we was making enough plays.

We gave up a big drive down there right before half.

How long does it take? Do you feel like before you guys are playing with the kind of police in this chemistry you expect?

How

would you look at the two of them going forward? Well, I think both of those guys will be the face of the NFL.

You know, you talk about that 2024 draft class.

Those are two marquee quarterbacks.

I think they're going to be really good for a long time, and you see them obviously had a great duel.

I think both threw over 300 passing yards in the game.

I think when I look at Caleb Williams, I've obviously been with him for two years.

Do you have a better idea now than you did a couple months ago what the identity of the 26 Patriots is? And if you do, what what is it?

two of them

going forward? Well, I think both of those guys will be the face of the NFL.

You know, you talk about that 2024 draft class.

Those are two marquee quarterbacks.

I think they're going to be really good for a long time, and you see them obviously had a great duel.

I think both threw over 300 passing yards in the game.

I think when I look at Caleb Williams, I've obviously been with him for two years.

Do you have a better idea now than you did a couple months ago what the identity of the 26 Patriots is? And if you do, what is it?

Is there something about Thursday nights that makes the tackling sloppier because you guys just aren't in your normal, like, peak time to recover? Or is that just something that you look at and you go, that's just a problem and I don't want to use Thursday as an excuse?

Yeah, I mean, I don't want to use it as an excuse.

You know, I think there is possibly some of, you know, You know, layers could be tired, whatever it may be, but that's definitely no excuse to, like, missing tackles.

I think, especially for us on our end, you know, a lot of times when we miss these tackles in the open field is because more often than not, it's just too much space.

I mean, we're a heavy man team.

I mean, I think everybody in the league knows that.

So if you miss a tackle, you know what I mean, and man to man, more than likely it's probably going to be what we call an X play, a big game, especially in the pass game.

Is there something about Thursday nights that makes the tackling sloppier because you guys just aren't in your normal, like, peak time to recover? Or is that just something that you look at and you just look, that's just a problem and I don't want to use Thursday as an excuse?

Is there something about Thursday nights that makes the tackling sloppier because you guys just aren't in your normal, like, peak time to recover? Or is that just something that you look at and you go, that's just a problem and I don't want to use Thursday as an excuse?

Yeah, I mean, I don't want to use it as an excuse.

You know, I think there is possibly some of, you know, You know, layers could be tired, whatever it may be, but that's definitely no excuse to, like, missing tackles.

I think, especially for us on our end, you know, a lot of times when we miss these tackles in the open field is because more often than not it's just too much space.

I mean, we're a heavy man team.

I mean, I think everybody in the league knows that.

So if you miss a tackle, you know what I mean, and man to man, more than likely it's probably going to be what we call an X play, a big game, especially in the pass game.

And I wanted to ask you, because we've talked to other NFL players about this before, on a scale of things that could really piss off an NFL player, where does being spit on by an opponent, where does that rank?

Is there something about Thursday nights that makes the tackling sloppier because you guys just aren't in your normal peak time to recover? Or is that just something that you look at and you go, that's just a problem and I don't want to use Thursday as an excuse?

Yeah, I mean, I don't want to use it as an excuse.

You know, I think there is possibly some of you know, obviously not having, you know, a full week of rest, maybe, you know, layers could be tired, whatever it may be, but that's definitely no excuse to like missing tackles.

I think, especially for us on our end, you know, a lot of times when we miss these tackles in the open field is because more often than not, it's just too much space.

I mean, we're a heavy man team.

I mean, I think everybody in the league knows that.

So if you miss a tackle, you know what I mean, and man to man, more than likely it's probably going to be what we call an X play, a big game, especially in the past game, but You know, right, if it's the run game, whatever it may be, just making sure that we're eliminating that spaceman at the same time, coming to balance with some of these tackles.

And I wanted to ask you, because we've talked to other NFL players about this before, on a scale of things that could really piss off an NFL player, where does being spit on by an opponent, where does that rank?

Before you coach, and you guys are close, and then Marcus was saying it too, postgame as well, When you hear that, what does that mean to you? Do you think you guys are getting close to where you want to be?

I mean, I would agree.

We're definitely getting close, but in this league, close doesn't get it done.

You know what I mean? I'm just more concerned with trying to finish plays, finish games.

You know, we haven't played well on the road against teams that you would consider contenders.

And we want to put ourselves in that position.

We got to be able to win those games.

They just played the Jets.

In a play like that, do you just kind of credit Caleb Williams? He made a great throw.

Yeah, I mean, you've got to give him credit for sure.

He made a phenomenal throw.

I was highly upset with myself at the end of the game because, obviously, when you're in the moment, that's one of those plays where you think to yourself, like, hey, the story is at the end of the game, it's like, man, how phenomenal a throw by Caleb.

I mean, on the road, back shoulder dig route, which really isn't like a high percentage throw, you know what I mean? But it was a phenomenal throwing catch.

But for me, it's like, hey, you're able to end the game right there and give your offense a short field.

We score.

And I wanted to ask you, because we've talked to other NFL players about this before, on a scale of things that could really piss off an NFL player, where does being spit on by an opponent, where does that rank?

Just speak to how important the ability to make those plays in those moments really is.

Yeah, honestly, like, I mean, credit to the New York Jets.

They played a really good game.

I'm sure just the way their team is built, they wanted to be physical.

And I think they did win the line of scrimmage a lot of times.

I think it was some of, you know, guys playing peekaboo, not really being in the right gaps.

They was able to, you know, make some plays on our – all down looks and kind of ran the ball, kind of got some creases in there, but I haven't looked at all like the team stats and numbers and stuff like that.

what are your thoughts on going back to chicago and how how tough are these turnarounds

What is that like? What does that do to a defense? How does that wear them down?

It's a little demoralizing, honestly.

I mean, when you're in a great position as a defensive back and a quarterback just makes a great throw, Sometimes me being a veteran, I'm just like, okay, that was a great throw.

I'm kind of just going to flush that because there probably was nothing I can do.

But like I said, he made a throw to Eli Raritan on the sideline, and I think that was the pass I was reacting to.

The whole shot.

Oh, my God.

I know this is your first year in New England but like is it is there a sense that this no matter what the record is for either team that this is an important game.

This is just us right now, Kevin.

[laughs] No, but honestly, I think, um, and honestly, if you just look at the league now, you look at, like, Brian Flores, and, like, those eight-man looks that's on a line of scrimmage can dictate a lot of things.

I think, uh, there was a clip that I think somebody posted on social media, uh, last week against Buffalo.

We basically showed, like, a blitz zero look and Josh Allen checked to a screen, but we really wasn't in blitz there, but it's the look that kinda confuses teams.

And like you said, there's only a certain amount of things that a, a quarterback sees.

"Hey, they're blitzing me.

I have to check into a certain play," and that's kinda how you wanna dictate to a, a offense.

I know this is your first year in New England, but, like, is it, is there a sense that this c- no matter what the record is for, for either team, that this is an important game?

Thanks, Ethan.

I mean, this was a great team win today.

Um, you know, we knew coming to this game, especially on the back end, a lot of injuries.

Um, you know, everybody's dealing with something right now.

Um, but, you know, first and foremost, to see the offense put up forty-five points was so great.

I mean, Drake May his past two games has been playing lights out.

The man like the quarterback, we all know who he is.

[audio cuts out] just [audio cuts out] much pressure [audio cuts out]?

[laughs]

... making two big-time catches in that, on that drive.

Um, but I just seen just, just a certain level of like, he's, he's the calm in the storm type of guy.

Like, we all know Drake, man.

He's not like the biggest vocal guy.

He's not like a super rah-rah type of guy.

Um, so we all trust him in those type of high, um- High pressure moments, uh, we trust him.

Like, what kind of challenge does this offense present for you guys on Sunday?

But number one, what do you see from Drake and the offense as they took the field after you guys gave up that touchdown? And then number two, like when you guys had to close out at the end, what do you see from your teammates?

Yeah, I mean, just starting with Drake, I just seen a big-time player, you know, making clutch plays.

Obviously, you're talking about my guy, Afton Chisholm, you know, making two big-time catches on that drive.

But I just seen just a certain level of, like, he's the calm in the storm type of guy.

Like, we all know Drake, man.

He's not, like, the biggest vocal guy.

He's not, like, a super rah-rah type of guy.

Whenever there's a fight, CJ's in the middle of

Any response to him?

Yeah, I mean, so I p- you know, I played with C.J. Gardner-Johnson in Chicago last year, so his comments into the game is very on brand for, [laughs] you know, who he is and what he's all about.

Um, I think, you know, they kind of brought C.J. to Buffalo to kind of be, I would say, like, the bad guy in a way.

That's kind of who he's been in his entire career.

Um, so yeah, I think it was just very on brand for him.

Now, I don't agree with what he said.

Obviously Chiz is a big part of what we do.

What was your game plan going in, and how were you guys able to s- stop those guys?

What was your game plan going in, and how were you guys able to s- stop those guys?

Well, yeah, I mean, one thing we, we, we knew that, for one, um, I would just talk about James Cook first.

I mean, obviously he's one of the best running backs in the league.

Um, he's a guy that we knew that everybody was gonna be at the point of attack, 'cause this guy, no matter where the run, the run play is called, if it's supposed to hit up in the A gap or outside zone to the left, he can go anywhere.

Um, so I think we just did a really good job as far as game planning, understanding, knowing that, hey, we're all make sure we're running to the ball, making sure we're not giving him a lot of space.

He hit off a couple runs later in the game, but I think early we basically contained the run game.

And then obviously we know Josh Allen.

Any response to him?

What was your game plan going in, and how were you guys able to stop those guys?

Well, yeah, I mean, I think we, we, we knew that for one, um, I would just talk about James Cook first.

I mean, obviously he's one of the best running backs in the league.

Um, he's a guy that we knew that everybody was gonna be at the point of attack, 'cause this guy, no matter where the run, the run play is called, if it's supposed to hit up in the A gap or outside zone to the left, he can go anywhere.

Um, so I think we just did a really good job as far as game planning, understanding, knowing that, hey, we're all making sure we're running to the ball, making sure we're not giving him a lot of space.

He hit off a couple runs later in the game, but I think early we basically contained the run game.

And then obviously we know Josh Allen.

Won't hear from him again." Any response to him?

What was your game plan going in, and how were you guys able to s- stop those guys?

Well, yeah, I mean, one thing we f- we, we knew that, for one, um, I would just talk about James Cook first.

I mean, obviously he's one of the best running backs in the league.

Um, he's a guy that we knew that everybody was gonna be at the point of attack, 'cause this guy, no matter where the run, the run play is called, if it's supposed to hit up in the A gap or outside zone to the left, he can go anywhere.

Um, so I think we just did a really good job as far as game planning, understanding, knowing that, hey, we're all make sure we're running to the ball, making sure we're not giving him a lot of space.

He hit off a couple runs later in the game, but I think early we basically contained the run game.

And then obviously we know Josh Allen.

Won't hear from him again." Any response to him?

What's something about Devin that would shock even the most diehard Patriots fan that you know as someone close to him?

What would shock him or shock anybody? That's a tough question.

Maybe just surprise.

Surprise? I don't know.

I mean, I think for me, when I first, obviously, I knew Jason first.

Right.

And I met Devin.

So your head coach, your coordinator, your position coach, you got to not marry, kill, but hug, marry, quit.

What's something about Devin that would shock even the most diehard Patriots fan that you know as someone close to him?

What would shock him or shock anybody? That's a tough question.

Maybe just surprise.

Surprise? I don't know.

I mean, I think for me, when I first, obviously, I knew Jason first.

Right.

And I met Devin.

So your head coach, your coordinator, your position coach, you got to not marry, kill, but hug, marry,

Having that ability to get to that identity, what's the challenge of that?

I mean, we just got to keep chopping wood.

I think we have to keep doing the things that we're doing.

It's getting back to the fundamentals, you know what I mean? Like you go on the road, you know, on the defensive side of the ball, we got to go for his turnovers.

We got to stop the run.

I mean, I think those are probably the two biggest keys this week because they run the ball very well.

I think they're maybe number one in the league.

How do you deal with their identity of the two-headed monster running the football, Cook and Josh Allen?

So how much more pressure is it? I don't know if pressure is the word, but how much more expectations do you have on your defense to really hold it down?

Yeah, I mean, it is what it is.

If the offense isn't producing as many points as we would like, we have to be critical in ourselves and say, hey, This is the situation.

The ball's on the 20-yard line.

We got to go get a stop.

And that's what I said in the game.

You know, we have been good in the red zone up until, you know, last week.

Can you tell us?