New England Patriots Archives - Media Guy Struggles https://mediaguystruggles.com/category/new-england-patriots/ The Media Guy. Screenwriter. Photographer. Emmy Award-winning Dreamer. Magazine editor. Ad Exec. A new breed of Mad Men. Mon, 04 Feb 2019 12:49:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://mediaguystruggles.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MEDIA-GUY-1-100x100.png New England Patriots Archives - Media Guy Struggles https://mediaguystruggles.com/category/new-england-patriots/ 32 32 221660568 The Best and the Worst of the Super Bowl LIII Commercials https://mediaguystruggles.com/the-best-and-the-worst-of-the-super-bowl-liii-commercials/ https://mediaguystruggles.com/the-best-and-the-worst-of-the-super-bowl-liii-commercials/#respond Mon, 04 Feb 2019 12:49:00 +0000 http://mediaguystruggles.com/2019/02/04/the-best-and-the-worst-of-the-super-bowl-liii-commercials/ Okay, so where am I? Let’s just say that Tom Brady and Bill Belichick chased down their record-breaking sixth Super Bowl crown. That should narrow it all down. On Sunday, huge brands like Budweiser and Pepsi once again spent millions of dollars from their advertising budgets in the hopes of catching your attention during what […]

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Okay, so where am I?

Let’s just say that Tom Brady and Bill Belichick chased down their record-breaking sixth Super Bowl crown. That should narrow it all down.

On Sunday, huge brands like Budweiser and Pepsi once again spent millions of dollars from their advertising budgets in the hopes of catching your attention during what should be the year’s most-watched television event. While the ratings were the lowest since 2009, the numbers still boggle imagination:

Last five super Bowl overnight ratings:

2019: 44.9 (Pats-Rams, CBS)
2018: 47.4 (Eagles-Pats, NBC)
2017: 48.8 (Pats-Falcons, Fox)
2016: 49.0 (Broncos-Panthers, CBS)
2015: 49.7 (Pats-Seahawks, 49.7) https://t.co/ZCRN73DSpm

— Austin Karp (@AustinKarp) February 4, 2019

If you’re a big budget advertiser, those numbers will cost you. How much? CBS charged another boggling number: a record $5.25 million for thirty seconds of airtime. The cost is slightly up from last year’s $5.2 million, and $1 million more than the cost to air a commercial during the 2014 Super Bowl. In just over a decade, the price of the average Super Bowl ad has nearly doubled from a price point of $2.69 million in 2008. If you go all the way back to the first-ever Super Bowl, in 1967, ads cost anywhere from $37,500  to $42,500, while 1995 marked the first year that the average cost crept into the millions, when 30-second ads sold for $1.15 million.

So who scored and who fumbled this year?

WINNERS

Olay
In the company’s first Super Bowl ada horror-movie spoof featuring scream queen Sarah Michelle Gellarthe product is so good that the slasher wants to discuss her fantastic skin. Some panned it, but it was better than almost anything you’d see on Saturday Night Live.

Amazon
The “Not Everything Makes The Cut” spot is incredible in its comic timing and celebrity cameos. You had me at Harrison’s Ford’s dog ordering gravy.

The Washington Post
Because knowing empowers us.
Knowing helps us decide.
Knowing keeps us free.

Simply, this spot gave me chills. Simply. Awesome.

Captain Marvel
The Captain Marvel spot was the perfect thing to get the women in the house excited for a super hero movie.

Higher. Further. Faster. See #CaptainMarvel in theaters March 8. Get tickets now: https://t.co/BNTBGOLFnk pic.twitter.com/qD8Mz5o0sP

— Disney (@Disney) February 3, 2019

Hyundai
“The Elevator” spot with Jason Bateman (yeah, go binge watch Ozark, like now) showcased everything that is worse than buying a car. Apparently, buying a Hyundai is much better for the soul.

LOSERS


KIA
“Telluride”
Their Super Bowl ad included only people from the town of West Point (who weren’t aware this would be used in the big game). I’m sorry, I know I’m supposed to be nicer but I spent the first 15 seconds trying to understand what the VO person was saying.

Devour 
“Food Porn”

We all know what Devour was trying to do with the cheekiness of their spot. In the original spot the concerned girlfriend says, “My boyfriend is addicted to frozen food porn.” Since you can’t say “porn” at the Super Bowl, it was edited to say, “My boyfriend has an addiction.” Katy Marshall, one of the marketing people behind the ad, told Yahoo Finance: “Some may say our new commercial is too hot for TV. We’ll let the audience decide.” Katy, let’s just say that no one will be addicted to this ad…and…you should have called the Media Guy before spending $5.25 mill plus production costs.

Turbotax
“RoboChild”
A creepy robot child. Taxes. What could go wrong? Just this:

Burger King
“Andy Warhol”
Who pours ketchup from a bottle onto the crackling paper next to the burger? Who wants to #EatLikeAndy? Who wants to change the channel?

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LEAKED: Your Guide to the Super Bowl Commercials and Betting Props https://mediaguystruggles.com/leaked-your-guide-to-the-super-bowl-commercials-and-betting-props/ https://mediaguystruggles.com/leaked-your-guide-to-the-super-bowl-commercials-and-betting-props/#respond Fri, 02 Feb 2018 22:30:00 +0000 http://mediaguystruggles.com/2018/02/02/leaked-your-guide-to-the-super-bowl-commercials-and-betting-props/ Okay, so where am I? Before I get to the top Super Bowl commercials leaked before Sunday, I just want to say that I feel a huge measure of vindication. “Why?” you ask? Because of stories like this from Variety: Madison Avenue Hopes Super Bowl Ads Won’t Get Trumped by Politics Analysis: Big Game. Small […]

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Okay, so where am I?

Before I get to the top Super Bowl commercials leaked before Sunday, I just want to say that I feel a huge measure of vindication. “Why?” you ask? Because of stories like this from Variety:

Madison Avenue Hopes Super Bowl Ads Won’t Get Trumped by Politics
Analysis: Big Game. Small Ads?

Madison Avenue heavyweights say they don’t want their ads to play off politics or social issues in Super Bowl LII. Will the commercials be as memorable as in years past?

Last year, post-Super Bowl, I said to “Blame Trump” for all of the misguided ads built for the game to combat the President and his perceived (or not-so-perceived agenda). The ads may have resonated for the snowflakes, but those of us who spend money in big quantity on consumer goods were appalled. True be told, I am still a little salty at my colleagues in the advertising world who let these ads push forward. I’ll run down the winners and losers (mostly the losers) next week after I digest them in the moment.

Currently, I’m scouring the prop bets for the Super Bowl on Sunday and pretty thankful I placed a few dollars on the Eagles early and got six points back (the current line as of posting is the Patriots -4). What does that mean? I means the New England Patriots can win by five points and I can still win my bet. I’m feeling good about this since the the Patriots have won five of these recently, all by less than five points. Easy money? Ha! Only Las Vegas, offshore books, and local bookies make money on the big game.

Back to the prop bets, I’m considering a few:

-The coin toss is a fun prop that even the most casual bettor can embrace. This bet is slightly more advanced than picking heads or tails, but I like it more as there are some fun trends to note and wager on. Regardless of which side of the coin is called on Sunday—and for the record heads has come out 24 times and tails 27 times throughout the history of the Super Bowl—the NFC has found a way to consistently win the toss over the last two decades. The team representing the conference has won 18 of the last 20 coin tosses. My Pick? The Team That Wins Coin Toss Wins Game: No (-103).

-Color of Bill Belichick hoodie (must wear hoodie for action)
  • Grey +120
  • Blue +140
  • Red +500
-Will winning team visit White House?
  • Yes -200
  • No +150

Total number of Donald Trump tweets during game?

  • Over 5.5 (-115)
  • Under 5.5 (-115)
I mean you can bet on anything, even the halftime show:
#SBLII props from @BetDSI

Timberlake first song

Can’t Stop The Feeling! +150
Sexyback +175
Rock Your Body +400
Cry Me A River +500
Mirrors +550
Filthy +750
True Colors +800
Love Never Felt… +900
What Goes Around…Comes Around +1000
Senorita +1250
Suit & Tie +1500
Field +200

— Covers (@Covers) January 23, 2018

Click here for the complete Super Bowl LII Prop Betting List…but before you do, watch the Top 15 Leaked Super Bowl LII Commercials:

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Soft Balls https://mediaguystruggles.com/soft-balls/ https://mediaguystruggles.com/soft-balls/#respond Fri, 23 Jan 2015 21:56:00 +0000 http://mediaguystruggles.com/2015/01/23/soft-balls/ The Super Bowl with its 100 million plus viewers is around the corner. The recent deflated football scandal from last week’s conference championship game brought to light that personal brand is the ultimate selling point. Sal Paolantonio, reporter for ESPN, aka the Worldwide Leader in Sports, theorized that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, aka […]

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The Super Bowl with its 100 million plus viewers is around the corner. The recent deflated football scandal from last week’s conference championship game brought to light that personal brand is the ultimate selling point. Sal Paolantonio, reporter for ESPN, aka the Worldwide Leader in Sports, theorized that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, aka the best looking guy in sport and hubby of mega model Gisele Bündchen held a press conference yesterday to protect his brand. He reported that Brady was motivated to speak out of a carefully plotted plan to get back to pitching girly UGG Boots.

“Women don’t like cheaters,” said Paolantonio. “What’s the number one demographic that Tom Brady tries to sell Ugg boots to? Women. Guys are not going into the mall [and being like] ‘Let me get a pair of Uggs.’ No, guys don’t go into the mall for a pair of Uggs. Women do. This was clearly motivated because Tom Brady knows that his brand is damaged by this — not only on the football field, but what he sells off the football field.”

Moral of the story. Keep your balls firm when you’re playing the branding game.

Speaking of brand, most celebrity endorsements seem rather obvious — or at least uninteresting and lacking inspiration. In the age of the second screen and on-demand information, when advertising is everywhere we look, it takes a lot more than Michael Jordan hawking his latest line of Nikes to get our attention. Advertising campaigns are at their most fun when we see something (or someone) out-of-the-box. When Wheaties recently put Madeleine Albright on the cover of their box, it prompted us to think of other unexpected brand representatives from recent (and not-so-recent) years.

Madeleine Albright
Wheaties

No, she was never an Olympic medalist or World Series winner, but former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is no less a champion — at least, according to Wheaties, who are attempting to redefine the term by awarding the diplomat the box-cover placement usually reserved for sports figures. And who are we to disagree? The former Representative to the United Nations has as many accomplishments in her field as star athletes have in theirs, making her as worthy of admiration as any Super Bowl MVP.

Joe Namath
Hanes Beautymist

Joe Namath was the ultimate counter-culture athlete at a time when America was questioning its identity. He grew his hair long, wore full-length fur coats on the sidelines, and famously backed up his guarantee of winning Super Bowl III. But he also had a charm and sense of humor that endeared him as a cultural icon, as he proved in this clever 1970s commercial for Hanes Beautymist pantyhose, which tricked many viewers into thinking they were admiring a woman’s legs. Sports have always been saturated with machismo, but only Broadway Joe was cool enough to pull off wearing women’s garments for millions to see.

Ron Burgundy
Dodge Durango

Okay, we’re cheating here, since Ron Burgundy is more of a fictional celebrity. But the real fun was how the Will Ferrell character touted the most basic features of the Dodge Durango, even going as far as appearing on Conan O’Brien’s late-night show to call it “a terrible car.” Proving that there’s no such thing as bad advertising, the ads helped push a 59% sales increase for the Durango. Perhaps more importantly, the 70 clips produced for this campaign provided enough content to tide Ferrell’s fans over until the next Anchorman sequel.

Terry Quattro (Jeff Goldblum)
General Electric

Jeff Goldblum is also merely playing a so-called “famous person” here, but it’s too inventive to overlook. Directed by Tim and Eric, Goldblum’s “Terry Quattro” is only interested in how lighting can serve his vanity. Weird enough to be memorable and funny enough to be quotable, it’s also clever enough to use all these devices to effectively explain the advantages of General Electric’s new technology.

Tom Brady
UGG for Men

Tom Brady is one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, and is also lucky enough to have the All-American good looks many advertisers covet. But what makes him an interesting spokesman is how he compares to other athletes that are much more approachable, like fellow MVP quarterback Peyton Manning. While Manning uses his affable personality and charm to endorse everyday products aimed at more mainstream consumers, Brady has been speaking for brands like UGG and Movado. These ads aren’t clever or funny or even relatable — but they establish a vision of class and luxury befitting someone who has led his team to five Super Bowls and married a supermodel.

Penelope Cruz
Nintendo

From Coca-Cola to L’Oreal, Penelope Cruz has done plenty of the kind of advertising you’d expect from a popular Oscar-winning actress — so it was a surprise to see her in ads for a product usually marketed to gamers and kids. Nintendo hired Cruz to appear in commercials for the Nintendo 3DS XL in 2012, in which she loses a bet to her sister over a game of the New Super Mario Bros. 2. Her debt? She had to dress up like the iconic plumber, complete with mustache. In doing so, Cruz delivered a performance that easily beats Bob Hoskins and Captain Lou Albano as the Best Super Mario tribute ever.

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MGS Chat: Andrew Luck https://mediaguystruggles.com/mgs-chat-andrew-luck/ https://mediaguystruggles.com/mgs-chat-andrew-luck/#respond Fri, 10 Jan 2014 06:57:00 +0000 http://mediaguystruggles.com/2014/01/10/mgs-chat-andrew-luck/ Andrew Luck, the prince who replaced the king, takes center stage this weekend after staging one of the NFL’s greatest playoff history. Before taking on the New England Patriots, he took a few minutes to hang with the Media Guy. MEDIA GUY: What do you think about this Patriots defense and what can you take […]

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Andrew Luck, the prince who replaced the king, takes center stage this weekend after staging one of the NFL’s greatest playoff history. Before taking on the New England Patriots, he took a few minutes to hang with the Media Guy.

MEDIA GUY: What do you think about this Patriots defense and what can you take from last year’s game and your experience, or is that all by the boards at this point?


ANDREW LUCK: I think obviously the game has no bearing on this year, but I do think there is merit in going back and watching it and seeing certain things. I think it’s a great way to re-familiarize yourself with what Coach [Bill] Belichick does, but we put way more stock in the film from this year and what they’ve done. It’s a phenomenal defense – they get after the quarterback and have studs all around. 

MG: What are some of the things that stand out from last year’s game? 


AL: Yeah, you know I thought it was one tough, tough defense. I don’t want to dwell too much on last year. They do a great job of forcing turnovers, getting to the quarterback. We know it’s going to be a dogfight. 


MG: Schemes don’t necessarily change too much with teams from year to year. Do you think that you are more mentally prepared to handle the scheme of the Patriots this year than you were last year? 


AL: Yeah, I think so. I think I’ve improved. I am nowhere near perfect, but I think I’ve improved. They do such a great job of disguising and making everything look the same and then lo and behold it was different and, shoot, you did something stupid. So, I do feel like I’m better equipped to handle this. 


MG: I know it’s not really about you versus Tom Brady this weekend, but as a young quarterback in his second season, is it tough not to use the accomplishments and the arc of Brady’s career as something to strive towards? 


AL: He has definitely set the standard for success at the quarterback position. The way he handles himself, watching from afar, the competitive nature and basically all the right things he does. Yeah, I guess he is a barometer and he is the standard. 


MG: Have you sat down with Deion Branch yet and picked his brain? 


AL: It’s been a quick morning. I definitely will pick his brain. He is going to be a great addition to our team, but I haven’t had a chance to sit down. We’ve been rolling in and out of meetings. 


MG: Have you worked out with him at all? 


AL: I haven’t yet. 


MG: Speed and athleticism is great, but can you talk about the growth of T.Y. Hilton as a wide receiver versus an athlete? 


AL: Yeah, I mean phenomenal. I think everyone knows he’s a great athlete. It’s awesome to see him do so well this year because he’s worked at his craft so hard through the offseason through last year and this year. He’s always in Reggie [Wayne]’s ear about how to get open, what tricks of the trade to use. So, he’s a special football player, he works every day to get better and deserves all the success he gets. 


MG:  I think you’re 14-2 in games decided by seven points of loss, and the vast majority of those games have been fourth quarter comebacks. What would you attribute the success to in those close contests? 


AL: I think of it as more of a team statistic. Ever since I’ve been a part of this team guys have played hard for 60 minutes. I know in most of those games the defense has made an unbelievable stop or forced a turnover or the special teams makes a huge play or [kicker Adam Vinatieri] Vinny kicks a huge field goal to win it or you get a big momentum changing special teams play and offensively we manage to put some decent drives together. I think Coach [Chuck] Pagano and the attitude he sets is to play hard for 60 minutes and overtime if necessary, and we all buy into that. 


MG:  I know you enjoyed the victory last weekend, but how quickly did the conversation turn to, ‘Hey, we can’t keep falling behind like this in games?’ 


AL: We understand we can’t survive our mistakes forever, especially against a good, quality playoff football team. So, we’ll work at limiting those mistakes and then hopefully giving ourselves a fighting chance. 


MG: One of the things that you and Tom Brady have done this year is to adjust to a lot of different personnel around you. What’s been the most challenging aspect of that for you, and how have you been able to overcome it? 


AL: I think it is a challenge in different phases, but it is a great opportunity for everybody to come in, and guys have made the most of their opportunity, whether it’s wide outs or linemen or whoever it may be. I understand that it’s sort of the climate of the NFL and injuries are a terrible thing, but they do happen. We’ve been very fortunate, I think, to have great guys step up into those roles, whether it’s been for the whole season, or for a game, or for a quarter or whatever it may be. Everybody prepares like a starter and the next man up theme is a bit unfortunate, but it is real and it is part of the locker room. 


MG: How about for you personally – has it helped knowing that you can adjust to all these changing parts? 


AL: I haven’t really thought about it like that. I figure it’s part of being a professional – making sure you do your job no matter the circumstances surrounding it. [Quarterbacks Coach] Clyde Christianson and [Offensive Coordinator] Pep Hamilton have done a great job of making sure we all go out there feeling comfortable and no one is going out there feeling out of their element or unable to handle the load that’s given to them. So, I think a lot of credit [goes] to Pep for making it all work.” 


MG: Does it help that your offense is fluid? Bill Belichick said that it’s really a game plan type of offense based on what he’s seen, in that it can change from game to game. 


AL: Yeah I think it does. I think Pep has really done great job of giving us our best shot each week based on personnel and everything else. We go in feeling like we have a fighting chance to win each game if we can limit our mistakes. So, it’s been good. 


MG: You’ve had a league low number of penalties and you only had 14 turnovers this year. Is it a point of emphasis going against a team like New England that sort of craves winning those turnover battles? 


AL: Yeah, you know it’s an emphasis every week, and that’s something Coach Pagano has talked about from day one. Along with running the football and stopping the run, it’s turnover margin that he preaches day-in and day-out. We took that to heart this year and managed to do a decent job. Obviously we weren’t great at it last week, but we know we can’t do that when we play the Patriots. 


MG: Do you come back to that a little more after last week’s outing? 


AL: Oh yeah, you know you’re definitely aware of it, absolutely. They do such a great job. I think they’re plus-nine throughout the season. They do a great job, from what I understand, if you turn the ball over offensively they do a great job of getting points like that, obviously with a great quarterback. We definitely have to come back to it. 


MG: How much of the success that you’ve had in the no-huddle is attributable to the fact that you know the guys around you a little bit better? How much is timing and how much is just a schematic thing? 


AL: That’s a good question. I don’t know if I could put a percentage on everything, but it’s worked at certain times, at big times. Also the other tempos of offense have worked for us, so I think it’s great to have all those options. 


MG: I know you didn’t want to throw the interceptions last week, but I know on two of them you came right back and led the team to a touchdown. Could you speak to your ability to even the score so to speak? 


AL: I think you’ve got to have a short memory. When you playing with guys who trust you and you trust them it’s a lot easier to go on the field and right your wrong or atone for your sins, if you will. So, I think like any competitor you want to go out there and rectify it. I’m glad we could. 


MG: The Patriots defense took another hit this week when they lost another starter. What do you see form this defense that you’re preparing for? 


AL: They’re going to be tough. It’s going to be physical. They do a great job of disrupting timing and rhythm. They’re relentless and they’re well coached. They’re rarely out of position, so we know we’re going to have our hands full. 

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MGS CHAT: Tom Brady https://mediaguystruggles.com/mgs-chat-tom-brady/ https://mediaguystruggles.com/mgs-chat-tom-brady/#respond Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:29:00 +0000 http://mediaguystruggles.com/2013/06/19/mgs-chat-tom-brady/ Tom Brady is the timeless quarterback of the New England Patriots. Married to THE supermodel and a three time Super Bowl Champion. A quick chat to get us ready for football. Hopefully part II, where he discusses Giselle, will be on the horizon… Q: What is your reaction to the signing of another quarterback in […]

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Tom Brady is the timeless quarterback of the New England Patriots. Married to THE supermodel and a three time Super Bowl Champion. A quick chat to get us ready for football.

Hopefully part II, where he discusses Giselle, will be on the horizon…

Q: What is your reaction to the signing of another quarterback in Tim Tebow?

TB: I think that any time, I don’t really make decisions and transactions – whether we cut players or sign players or trade players. My reaction is very much like everyone else on the team. [I’m] just trying to focus on what I need to do and what I need to do to be a better player and certainly any time a new teammate comes in, you welcome them, try to do whatever you can to help them fit in and understand what we need to do. It’s been a fun couple days.

Mr. and Mrs. Brady

Q: What were your impressions of Tim Tebow before he got here and does that match up with the first two days?

TB: I never was around him much. Anyone who has played in the NFL has a high level of talent to make it this far; to play this long over the course of an entire life to get to this point you obviously have to be talented. I have a lot of respect for everyone that plays and certainly what I’ve seen him do in the past.

Q: Do you worry about any of this being a distraction?

TB: I don’t worry about much these days. I’ve been around long enough to see all different kinds of things happen – like I said, trades, people being cut, guys joining the team, all the media attention with what happened in 2007, post-Super Bowls, tough losses. It comes with the territory. I think everyone is prepared to deal with some level of different things that happen on a daily basis and to be mentally tough enough to push through and still be able to do your job at a high level is most important. That’s really what you owe the team is to show up every day and do your job the best you can.

Q: Would you say that everyone in the quarterbacking group brings something a little different?

TB: Honestly every player on the team brings something a little bit different. That’s all in hopes of us winning games. We have to all be able to go out there and contribute in some way. Coach always says, ‘Your role is what you make of it.’ My role is to try to go out there and be a great quarterback: consistent, dependable, someone that the team can rely on. That’s my approach every day that I walk through the door.

Q: There are a lot of new faces on offense, especially among the wide receivers. How are they adapting to this offense?

TB: We’ve had a lot of turnover this year, especially at that position. Really there hasn’t been anyone that we’ve thrown to in any game action. That’s going to be really important as the process develops. The only thing we can really work on is what we’re doing now. Guys have really tried to do exactly what we ask them to do, whether they’ve been out there or not through the meetings, the walkthroughs. It’s really been a fun group that’s been open to learning and open to understanding how we do things, because how we do things is quite a bit different than how other teams do things, on the field and of the field. To try to come in and fit in and do their job, I give those guys a lot of credit for really stepping up to the challenge.

Q: How do you develop the chemistry that is so important to a quarterback and a wide receiver?

TB: It takes a lot of time. You just try to stay after it every day, as much time as you can communicating about certain looks, coverages, defensive personnel and alignments, route adjustments. It’s really a matter of how you, the effort you put into it. Guys have been working pretty hard. We’ve been here the whole offseason to try to get up to speed. Like I said, the guys that have been here, everyone has made a bunch of improvements. Hopefully we continue to make improvements as mini-camp ends and the beginning of training camp starts.

Q: Bill Belichick talked this morning that OTAs and mini-camp are a time to lay a foundation. Do you think that you guys have done a good job of that so far?

TB: He talks about, you think it’s just an OTA in the spring time and it’s not that important and all those things that probably could enter your mind. The truth is, this lays the foundation for the start of training camp and if you have a good training camp, it usually means a good start to the season. A good start to the season leads to good position entering the second half of the season. Everything ends up having some significance to it. You’re not just out here running plays and going through different things that aren’t going to mean anything. We’re out here trying to get a lot of things accomplished. I think we have done that, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. It’s really never ending, especially when you play for Coach Belichick. Especially in practices when the offense goes against the defense, because if the offense makes a play then the defense sucked and if the defense makes a play then the offense sucked so someone is really going to get yelled at on every play. There’s always lowlights when we come in on the next day. Even if it was a great offensive play, he’s going to yell at someone on the defense. We’ve become a bit used to that now and that’s part of the learning process and also learning how to play for the Patriots and understand the criticism that you’re getting and hopefully use it constructively so you can improve as a player.

Q: How inquisitive has Tim Tebow been with you since he’s been here? Has he been trying to pick your brain just to get the basics down?

TB: Yeah, there’s definitely been communication and there’s been that with Tim [Tebow] and with Ryan [Mallett]. We constantly talk. I’ve been lucky to play with so many good quarterbacks over the course of my career and I’ve learned from every one of them, starting with Drew [Bledose] and Damon Huard and John Friesez and Michael Bishop and Jim Miller and Vinny [Testaverde] and [Doug] Flutie and [Matt] Cassel and [Brian] Hoyer, it’s really been… We’ve always have a really strong group and a very close group. I’m excited to have Tim.

Q: Ed Reed said he thought his hip injury was caused by the kick slide you did in the AFC Championship Game. Do you have any reaction to that?

TB: No.

Q: He said you apologized right after, is that true?

TB: Yeah, there was nothing intentional about it. It was unfortunate that it happened.

Q: How do you feel physically?

TB: I feel great, I feel better than ever. I’ve had a great offseason to this point; it needs to continue. At this point, I have a pretty good understanding of how I need to prepare myself and I spend a lot of time, every decision in my life is based around how to be a better football player. I think I have a decent idea how to do that and we’ll ultimately see how it pays off this year. It’s been fun to be out there every day at practice and that’s how you improve, is to be out on the practice field, especially with a bunch of new players. We’ll see how it turns out when we put the pads on.

Q: Do you have to change or alter anything as you get older?

TB: You try to be a little more efficient with your time and things that you probably have tried in the past, you don’t do much anymore. You try to do the things that you feel work and the things that help you improve. I feel like I’ve thought a lot of things about this past season and things that I can do better and things that I can do better as a teammate and as a leader and certainly things that I can do better on the field, my physical preparation. I think I’ve been successful to this point but ultimately you get paid to go out and play on Sunday and hopefully it pays off when it counts the most.

Q: How would you react to having to come off the field?

TB: I have no idea.

Q: You’d be OK with it?

TB: That’s a very hypothetical question. Maybe we’ll deal with it if it happens.

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MGS Chat: Ray Lewis https://mediaguystruggles.com/mgs-chat-ray-lewis/ https://mediaguystruggles.com/mgs-chat-ray-lewis/#respond Sat, 19 Jan 2013 02:51:00 +0000 http://mediaguystruggles.com/2013/01/19/mgs-chat-ray-lewis/ Ray Lewis, the 37-year-old Baltimore Ravens linebacker plans to retire after the season, but before his own clash of the titans with New England in the AFC championship game he had a few minutes for the Media Guy… MEDIA GUY: What do you most remembered for at the end of his career? RAY LEWIS: I […]

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Ray Lewis, the 37-year-old Baltimore Ravens linebacker plans to retire
after the season, but before his own clash of the titans with New England in
the AFC championship game he had a few minutes for the Media Guy…

MEDIA GUY: What do you most remembered for at the end of his career?
RAY LEWIS: I think the greatest thing you can ever be remembered for is
the impact and things that you had on other people. At the end of the day, with
all of the men that I’ve been around, to one day look back here and listen to
men say, ‘He was one of people who helped changed my life,’ is probably one of
the greatest legacies to be remembered for.”
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) AP2013
MG: How special has this Ravens team been this year?
RL: With everything that we went through, the up and down roller
coaster all year, the injuries and things we went through … We dealt with so
much the entire year. For us to fight, fight, fight, fight and now be back here
with the same opportunity … We were here last year in the same position. We
were a catch away, a field goal away from going to the Super Bowl. For us to be
back here shows how dedicated we were to get back to this point. I just tip my
hat and give credit to my team. No matter what we went through this year, we
fought to get back here.”
MG: NFL offenses are pushing the
envelope more now, what is the challenge to be a dominating defense in this era
of the NFL:?
RL: We have to be very honest about it. It favors [the offense]. It
favors the offense with the rules and all of the different things that are put
in now. Defensively, you can’t touch them here, you can’t hit them high, you
can’t hit them low. It kind of favors them to pick up the pace and try to … I
call it steal yardage throughout the game. That’s what kind of makes it hard.
Even if you are on defense and make the perfect hit, you get flagged 15 yards
here, because the pace is so fast, we have to kind of slow the pace down and
line up. If you watched the [Houston vs. New England game], [the Patriots] were
able to get people out of alignment, people were standing around on the goal
line, which is supposed to be the hardest place to score. But it was the easiest
place for [the Patriots] because [the Texans] weren’t getting lined up and
things. I think it’s kind of give and take.
MG: What the difference in
defense from the beginning of your career to the end?
RL: Absolutely. Earlier in my career, honestly, you just didn’t have so
many rules. There are so many rules that are put in now, and of course, I’m a
biased [defensive player]. There are so many rules that are put in now for the
offense. So, it helps them. It favors them a lot. Why wouldn’t they do it? You
throw the ball downfield and there is favorable pass interference, you hurry up
and get 12 men on the field. There are so many things that favor [the offense]
and it’s changed so much from earlier in my career to now.”
MG: What’s the differences
between playing Peyton Manning and Tom Brady?
RL: You’re talking about arguably the top two or three greatest
quarterbacks of all time. So when you go from Peyton Manning to Tom Brady,
you’re going from 1A to 1A. It’s not like you get a drop-off. I’d back up to
the same fact we had last week. Is he going to make plays? Absolutely. But you
have to play the whole game. You have to be patient enough to let them make
plays and move on to the next play. You can’t harp on one play good or bad. You
have to keep on moving. These are guys, and I always said, they play chess
matches. That’s the thing that you have to be prepared to play when you get
ready to play these guys, because they understand the game so well. Playing
against Brady and just watching him sometimes, you’re always in awe on watching
on how good he really is.
MG: What will you miss the most
when you end your career?
RL: I think the brotherhood. There is nothing greater than the
brotherhood. It’s what I kind of preach in my locker room. I understand we’re
in an age where social media is kind of taking over, but I kind of try to get
my guys to really understand how close your locker room has to be. And when you
come into the locker room, understand who your brothers are. Understand who the
men are that you are fighting with. Because, that’s the thing you’ll remember
the most. The wars and battles, they are going to always take care of
themselves, and that’s competition and most of us have been in that our entire
lives. But what we will always remember the most are those locker rooms. What
they felt like and the commitment and sacrifices you guys made – that’s the
thing that when you are done with the game, you will definitely miss what those
locker rooms felt like.
MG: What is the most
extraordinary moment of your football career?
RL: You always have to ask yourself, ‘How can you top the moment of
hearing those famous words?’ And that is, ‘Ravens have won the Super Bowl.’
When you play the game, that is what you play the game for. You play and hope
that one day you hear those words. That is what I am trying to get this team to
go back and hear one more time. So they can really feel what it feels like.
Because once you hear it, like I tell all of them, your life will never be the
same again. That is what I am trying to get these young guys to understand –
don’t let the moments go by so fast. Cherish the moment. And that for me, when
you sum up my career, that can never be taken away from you. Once you are a
champion, you are always a champion, and that is probably one of the greatest
things I will remember of all time.

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MGS Chat: New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft https://mediaguystruggles.com/mgs-chat-new-england-patriots-chairman-and-ceo-robert-kraft/ https://mediaguystruggles.com/mgs-chat-new-england-patriots-chairman-and-ceo-robert-kraft/#respond Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:52:00 +0000 http://mediaguystruggles.com/2012/01/24/mgs-chat-new-england-patriots-chairman-and-ceo-robert-kraft/ New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft speaks at Gillette Stadium on Monday, January 23, 2012. RKK: For not being here [the podium] in quite a while, I’m showing up a few times [lately]. We’re really excited, needless to say. We were trying to think – this year has been dedicated to volunteerism and people […]

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New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft speaks at Gillette Stadium on Monday, January 23, 2012.




RKK: For not being here [the podium] in quite a while, I’m showing up a few times [lately]. We’re really excited, needless to say. We were trying to think – this year has been dedicated to volunteerism and people who dedicate themselves to their communities. I credit my son, Jonathan, with coming up with this idea of trying to think of those people who help make this country so great, but who don’t seek monetary return as the number one thing in their lives, but rather try to serve their community. I personally thought of five areas that I’ve had experience with and I think most of you have. One being nurses, military personnel, teachers, firemen and policemen. I think they all help to make this country so great and probably are, in my mind, underappreciated and in many cases underpaid. We decided we’d come up with a little program that we’re calling ‘Super Bowl for Super People Sweepstakes.’ The exact details of that you’ll be able to get at Patriots.com. I could start telling you the rules, but I might mess it up. But I think around six o’clock tonight we’ll have it. The principal idea is that we have superiors nominating people who they think are most deserving and have done things that are special. We’re going to take two people – and this is a New England award, a New England service award. We’re going to take two people from each of these five categories – nurses, military personnel, teachers, firemen and policemen – and they will be randomly selected next Friday and they and a guest of theirs will be taken with us to the Super Bowl and they’ll represent that part of the community that we’ve tried to celebrate this whole year. We’re really excited about that and we hope that a lot of very deserving people will be nominated and that that will be a very special way for us to cap off our season and keep this spirit of volunteerism and serving our community alive. Thank you.   Thank you all for being here. I’m glad you’re here today. I know NBC, I think, is very happy. We have some good markets and we look forward to a wonderful game. We think a great deal of the ownership of the team we’re playing. I’ll just say something, too. Steve Bisciotti of the Ravens came over to me last night after the game and really was classy in how he spoke to me. We have a great sport and we hope these volunteers who will win this will help make this experience special.  

Q: You’ve seen this franchise succeed and have some ups and downs. The jubilation you saw in the locker room last night, how do you think this team is built to handle getting back to work?  

RKK: I believe in this team big time. We have a coach who has gone through the learning curve pretty well. It’s funny, I was just chatting with Rodney Harrison who was here doing some work with NBC. I was telling him how I had the privilege of having Drew Bledsoe stay at my house the night before the game. He flew in and was one of the honorary captains and then I realized he never played with Drew Bledsoe; Rodney really came in afterwards. What that made me realize and I bring it to Coach [Bill] Belichick and the system we have here that we hopefully have a system and discipline and the best coach in place that will keep people focused. Fortunately, we’ve had the experience of going to this game before. We have certain disciplines we follow and we’ll follow those now. We hope we have the privilege of bringing our fourth championship back to the New England community.  

Q: There are only a dozen players left from the two teams who played in the Super Bowl four years ago. What does that say about both organizations that there can be such a turnover of playersm, but you’re both here again with new rosters?

RKK: I think both teams are blessed to have good coaches and good personnel people. I know the Giants have good ownership. But wow, those two games yesterday were unbelievable. Have the ratings come out? I haven’t seen but it must have been – we’ll have to call the NFL.  

Q: I think the NFC was the third-most watch NFC title game and the Patriots game was the highest rated AFC title game.

RKK: Yeah. I honestly, I’m surprised, usually I see the data, but I’ve been sort of inundated today. But it was something and they both went right to the end. Somehow I feel we’re going to have a Super Bowl that’s going to be in the same category. But how lucky are we to be going to Indianapolis? I hope these 20 people who celebrate the good acts of this region will enjoy the game and hopefully we bring this victory back.  

Q: With how competitive Tom Brady is, do you expect him to be extra motivated to bring home the Lombardi trophy after the losses to the Giants in the Super Bowl and this season?

RKK: He’s always motivated, whether he’s playing golf or playing football. As we saw yesterday, it’s more than Tom Brady; it requires a whole team. I think our team, as a team, played remarkably well: special teams, defense and the offense when they had to. It’s more that the quarterback because there are a lot of great quarterbacks who have never even been to the championship game. He’s always going to be motivated. I see it firsthand, whether it’s at practice or anywhere. Look how he got up there yesterday and spoke about his own performance. He didn’t beat against the bush.  

Q: How vivid are your memories of that 2007 Super Bowl?

RKK: I’ve never been able to watch it. Last night, you saw a kick being missed at the end of the game. But that kick would have tied the game and then put it into overtime, which is amazing. I do remember the end of the game, a ball going through our cornerback’s hands that if he had caught that ball and it hadn’t gone through his hands, we would have been able to take a knee and we would have won the game. And, you know, that Eli [Manning] doing a great job escaping from that pile of guys that we had on him, and whether the whistle blows and the great catch and all these things. In the end, there are a lot of little things. That was a great game, that was a great team and we’re looking forward to having the privilege of going to Indianapolis. Thank you very much.

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