Patriots Blog: Belichick Praises Light, Wilfork
FOXBORO (CBS) - It was a longer press conference for Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on Wednesday. He touched on many things, including veteran lineman Matt Light.
Light has been solid all season, and throughout his career for the Patriots. The 11-year-vet will have to be that again on Sunday with Baltimore's Terrell Suggs lining up opposite him. Stopping that guy will be a chore, but Bill praised the left tackle for being a productive Patriot.
"He's really had a great career for us," he said, referring to him as durable, dependable and always in good physical condition. "Matt goes up against some of the best pass rushers in the league at that position, really on a weekly basis. He'll certainly see another great player this weekend in [Terrell] Suggs."
Coach also talked about Vince Wilfork and what his leadership has meant to this team this season.
Read: Levan Reid's Patriots Blog
"He's been been huge. Vince has had a great year for us. He's obviously had a great career and I thought he had an outstanding year last year, but this year it's even gone a step higher. He's played a lot of plays. He's become really an every-down player, not just a situational player. He's been very productive for us in the running game and in the passing game, made plays in pursuit. And of course, his interceptions are legendary, as well as his runbacks. From a leadership standpoint, he's been outstanding."
More Mayo Please
Linebacker and defensive captain Jerod Mayo also spoke to reporters on Wednesday. Here's some of the stuff that he had to say:
Ray Rice can do it all: "He's one of those guys that can do it all," Mayo said. "He can catch the ball in the backfield, he's good in blitz pickup, he's a small guy but at the same time he's strong. He always has his feet going, breaks a lot of tackles, so he's dangerous weapon for them. There's a reason why he's their leading receiver and leading rusher. You rarely see that, so he's a great player."
Gronk is a freak: "I mean, he can do it all," Mayo said. "He can block, he's a big target, his catch radius is huge, so it's difficult. I don't know how people try to stop him or anything like that, but he gives us a good look each and every week."
Read: Gronk 'Always Wanted To Spike'
Mayo also talked about the teams communication. He said the talking on the field has been what has kept the team together. Many moving part in that defense but they have been able to stay on the same page by talking.
Tune in to the AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens Sunday, January 22 at 3pm on 98.5 The Sports Hub and WBZ-TV. Pregame coverage begins with Patriots GameDay on WBZ at 11:30am, with Patriots Preview beginning at noon on the Hub!
