Patriots wide receiver addresses the media during his postgame press conference at Gillette Stadium, on Sunday, January 2, 2011.
Q: Can you talk about your punt return?
JE: Yeah, it was late in the half and we had a middle return called. We knew we were going to get some chances this week with this punter because he was prone to outkick his coverage and he gave us a shot. Our middle of the field, our guys held them up real well. As a punt returner, you're supposed to make at least one guy miss and we were fortunate enough to do that. And guys held on their blocks and we executed the play. It was a good play.
Q: When did you know you were clear?
JE: I knew once... when I was pressing back and I was going to put my foot in the ground and cut back. I knew we were going to hit the house right there.
Q: After what happened in Chicago, how much were you thinking about that after you crossed the goal line?
JE: I'm not going to lie, I was actually thinking about that. I was thinking, 'I'm going to look like an idiot going up into those stands if there's a flag out there.' But [there wasn't], fortunately, and we got the touchdown finally.
Q: Has this been a tough year for you not playing as much as you might have thought?
JE: It's been different but I'm just happy to be here and help contribute to the team in any way possible. My role has changed a little bit this year. I had to take on the punt returning role a little bit more to get my plays. Whatever the coaches ask me to do, I'm going to do because they've given me my opportunity to play in this league and I'm very thankful for that.
Q: Did you guys see this game - you, Brandon Tate, some other guys - as your opportunity to get some extra chances?
JE: Yeah, I mean whatever you put on that film is you. I prepare every week like I'm going to play because you're only a play away from playing in this game. We really didn't know what was going on and it was great to have the opportunity.
Q: On the second touchdown drive, Tom went to you twice and you got through pretty much almost everybody. How badly were you trying to get over the goal line?
JE: I mean, very badly. It would have been nice, but we set up the team to get in there and it was good to get the touchdown. Nice play.
Q: Coach was seen on TV talking to you, was that anything besides 'nice game?'
JE: No, that's all he said. He's a man of few words.
Q: At any time during the season, was your confidence affected because you weren't able to put anything on film until now?
JE: I wouldn't say it was affected. It was difficult. I was still adjusting to coming in for certain roles and I'm still adjusting. I still have to get better every day doing my job and coming in here and going in one play, maybe, in the fourth quarter that you hadn't been in all game. You got to make a big catch or you've got to make a first down or run or something. So, I'm going to be working on that this whole week that we have off and hopefully get better at that.
Q: Is the 94-yard return a personal best for you?
JE: I mean, I've only been returning punts for two years, so yeah.
Q: Do you feel better prepared for that situation of going out there in the fourth quarter if someone goes down after the getting the extra reps this game?
JE: I guess. I still have to work at it more. So, we'll see this next week.
Q: How different is the tempo in the huddle with Brian Hoyer instead of Tom Brady?
JE: It's a little different, but Brian does a real good job. Brian is always in Tom's back pocket. He's always following and doing everything that he does: wears the same kind of clothes as Tom, drives the same kind of car as Tom. If Tom has a Vitamin Water, you'll see Brian with a Vitamin Water or something like that. It's funny, but Brian does an awesome job. He goes in there and he works so hard all week. Whether it's on scout team, he's going to lead that little group and take it like it's a game. So, whatever Brian does, he deserves because he works his tail off.
Q: The debate all week was whether to rest guys or retain momentum going into the playoffs. Is it fair to say that you were able to accomplish both of those this week?
JE: I guess. The score was pretty... We scored some points and we did some good things. We have to go back and watch the film and get better and work towards it this next week.
Q: When you saw the schedule before the season, did anyone say "14-2"? It's a pretty tough schedule.
JE: I don't even think we thought about that. We were thinking about Cincinnati, our first game. And probably we were thinking about our first preseason game against the Saints. So, you know, that's how we thought about it. At least that's how I thought about it.
