Patriots head coach Bill Belichick addresses the media during his conference call on Tuesday, September 14, 2010.
BB: We of course spent a lot of time watching the Jets in the offseason and even in the preseason a little bit when we had a little break. Of course now we're into them all the way. [They're a] good football team. [They] had an outstanding year last year. They have a lot of weapons. They're very aggressive. They obviously did a good job against us down there last year in the first game. We know we'll be going into a hornet's nest this week. They're tough. They're well coached. They're physical. They play hard and we have a good rivalry with them. We know it will be that kind of game. It's our first division game. [It's] always good to get off to a good start in the division. We'll need a real good week of preparation because they do a lot of things and they're a hard team to get ready for. They have a lot of looks on defense and they give you a lot of looks and different personnel groupings and formations on offense, too. They'll be a challenge from a preparation standpoint. [They're] always good in the kicking game and that's always a strong suit for them there, so we know that will be a big challenge for us, too.
Q: What is the most challenging thing about the Jets defensively, recognition or the physical act of blocking them?
BB: A little bit of both, but I'd say the bigger problem is just blocking them. Blocking them and getting open and blocking them in the running game, blocking them in the passing game, getting open. But they definitely give you some recognition problems and tough looks and move people around and try to defeat your protection schemes and that type of thing, so that's very challenging, too. You can't afford to turn a guy…it's bad enough that you have to block them, but if you a turn a guy loose and miss him completely then you have no chance. First thing we have to do is get them identified and get them picked up.
Q: What kind of player is Kris Jenkins and how big of a difference is it if he can't play?
BB: Kris is an outstanding player. There aren't many guys like him. He's a major force at his position. That being said, he missed a good part of the season last year and the Jets did very well. I don't want to diminish anything that he's done --really he's an outstanding player, he's one of on the toughest guys to block in the league-- but at the same time, even without him last year, the Jets were very, very good on defense. Whoever's in there we'll have to do a good job with, however they do it, whoever it is, we'll have to do a good job.
