**

WIDE RECEIVER DANNY AMENDOLA**

(on the team grinding out the win)
"Yeah man. We grinded it out. You know, it was a good stop there by the defense at the end and we just kept plugging away and came out with a win."

(on how the Patriots were able to turn the game around in the second half)
"We just wanted to focus on making plays and moving the ball down the field and just do our part to put points on the board. That's what we did."

(on if they have the feeling that the team is never out of it given what they can do offensively)
"Yeah, you never want to feel like you're out of it. The last two weeks, we just got to come out a little faster and play. We fought hard today and we're all excited about the win for sure."

(on the team playing sharper offense in the second half)
"We just need to execute better in the first half. It's just some little things that didn't necessarily go our way and we just need to fix them."

(on the play of TE Rob Gronkowski)
"Gronk (Gronkowski) is a great player. You have to put a couple of guys on him because he's so big and fast. He did a good job today."

(on if he feels things coming together for the offense)
"Yeah, I feel like there's still work to be done. We're still going to keep fighting. It's a long road, so we're taking it one game at a time and we're looking forward to next week."

RUNNING BACK LEGARRETTE BLOUNT

(on what adjustments were made at halftime)
"We just stuck to the game plan, and executed it a little bit better in the second half."

(on how much playing time you expected to get today)
"I wasn't sure what I was going to get. I prepared all week for whatever was thrown at me. I did whatever I could, whenever my number was called."

(on staying motivated against a 2-9 team)
"This is the NFL; the record doesn't tell you how good a team actually is. I saw out there that they are a really good team. They did some things well, and we did some things well. Ultimately we came out win the win."

(on getting off to a better start in games)
"We just have to start faster, and execute the game plan in the first half just like we do in the second half. We had the same game plan in the first half as we did in the second half. It's just about executing."

GUARD DAN CONNOLLY

(on DE J.J. Watt and DE Antonio Smith)
"Both are equally strong d-linemen, so we had a tough job ahead of us. And we just had to work hard and we got the job done and we won today – so that's what we're happy with."

(on the team trying to make every game the game of the year)
"Every game is the game of the year. It's the game we're playing, so yeah."

(on how tough the Texans' defense was)
"Yeah, and we know that. Their record doesn't reflect the way their defense plays. They're a great front seven, and we knew that. We knew we had to play a good game against them."

(on how the team can start faster on offense, and if starting slow frustrates the team)
"That's what we need to work on, I don't know. I don't have the answer to that. I think we're just going to look at the positive, and whatever we're doing in the second half is working, so we'll just focus on that and try to give it a full 60 minutes of good football."

FULLBACK JAMES DEVELIN

(on if he has ever had as much contact on a 1-yard run as he did on his touchdown run)
"No. I don't get the ball much, so honestly I was just trying to do my job and get in there."

(on if there was anything on earth that could have stopped him)
"I don't know. That's yet to be seen. But I'm just blessed that they gave me the opportunity to get in there and I'm glad that I made the best of it."

(on if he had a sense that he was going to get his hands on the ball today)
"Honestly, I maybe thought of it in the back of my mind, but I knew that I just had to go in there and do what they asked of me, whether it be block on the goal line or run on the goal line. I'm thankful that they gave me the ball and let me do my thing."

(on becoming a more comfortable receiver)
"Yeah, I'm trying to run some good routes. It's not really a fullback's job, but I like to try to be more versatile when I can. So other than running the routes, I'm just trying to do my job, like I keep saying. Just trying to get out there and do my thing."

WIDE RECEIVER JULIAN EDELMAN

(on his assignment)
"Just trying to get open and catch a ball when they call my number, so that's just what it is."

(on preparing for each team)
"I prepare the same. So, I just go out there, work hard and try to take things from the classroom to the practice field, execute it and make the game a reality."

(on having Rob Gronkowski back from injury)
"I mean, Gronk is one of the top tight ends in the league. Anytime you have big Gronk out there, it definitely makes the team better."

(on the expectations of the Texans ability to have a good game)
"Well, you know, we knew this team would be a tough team. If you look back to the film, games just didn't go their way. They were in a lot of close games. I think they were 1-3 or 1-4 in close games and they just haven't been able to do it. Last year at this time they were 10-1. We knew we were going to battle. We've played them a few times and they are familiar with us, so we expected it to be a hard fought game and it was. Those guys are going to be alright."

KICKER STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI

(on games coming down to his leg)
"Yeah, it's just crazy how games can play out. It's nice to get opportunities to get long kicks in good weather. It's tough to make kicks at that distance in December at Foxboro, so we would expect to be called out there for a couple of 53, 55 yard field goals. So, just to do it in the fourth quarter when the team may be a little tired makes it feel a little bit special after the fact. But during the fact, I'm just trying to go out there and make the field goal. That's what I tried to do on the first one, I missed it a little bit, regrouped myself and told myself that I've hit more kicks than I've missed in this league. Then with the next one, if you take one kick at a time then you're going to go out there and nail it. That's been the situation with two games and you've just got to go out there and make the kick. I felt that if I take that approach, I'll be successful."

(on how the Patriots' coaching staff and team view the special teams)
"It's nice to have a big factor in the game. We've been in games where the offense just dominates people and the defense does, too. We work so hard on it; It's definitely not looked at any less by the team or the coaching staff. We go out there and do our job. It's a matter of going out there and doing our job, and doing what we've done in practice. They have confidence in us and for them to send us out there in big time situations and be looked upon as a guy who can get through those situations is really nice and rewarding."

TIGHT END ROB GRONKOWSKI

(on what ultimately was the difference in the game)
"That is a very good team out there, the Houston Texans. We knew going into the game it was going to be a dogfight. They have a great defense; they were all playing hard, every play, very hard. We knew we had to dig deep down, and play as a team, play as an offense, and out the put our foot on the pedal and keep on grinding in order to come out. It was a good team win overall."

(on what needs to happen for the team to get off to a faster start)
"We have to come out ready in the first half. We've got to start playing better football in the first half, and come out with a better start, and move the ball better. We have to keep working hard, keep improving on the offense, and keep grinding."

(on the demeanor of QB Tom Brady)
"Yes, his demeanor is unbelievable. He's a great leader, and he gets everyone motivated in the huddle. Every drive you have to be on top of your game, and you've got to be ready for the ball and you've got to be ready to block. He's a great guy in leading the team, and he takes control of the huddle, and gets everyone rolling."

(on what halftime adjustments were made)
"Just that we had to keep playing ball. We had to go one play at a time, and one drive at a time. Not worry about the score, and keep moving the ball to try and put up points. The chemistry started rolling in the second half, we were moving the ball and putting up points. Our special teams did a great job; Steve (Gostkowski), with his kicking, did an unbelievable job; great kick to win the game."

(on potentially having a letdown playing a 2-9 team)
"No, this is a very good team. Their record meant nothing. Going out there, I have to say they've got a really good defense. They have a lot of great players, and they all play hard. That's why it was such a tough game out there. It was a hard fought game. You have to give them credit. They are a very good team."

(on if he got a look at FB James Develin's touchdown run)
"No I didn't. I was on the opposite side blocking. He scored so obviously he did a great job running the ball, and I can't wait to see the replay. Give him credit he's been working hard, and he's a great player."

LINEBACKER DONT'A HIGHTOWER

(on if fatigue from last week's game against the Broncos was an issue in today's game)
"I'm not going to use that as an excuse. I mean every week, everybody has the same thing and everybody has a different schedule and regardless of the Houston Texans record, they are a real good team, too. It was just a hard fought game and that's what football is and that's what you want. You want to play a hard fought game and that's what we did."

(on what the Patriots saw defensively to pull out the win)
"We just played the run a little bit better than what we were doing. Ben Tate is a great running back. Their front line with (Duane) Brown and (Chris) Meyers and all those guys is a really good front. Then, you have to respect Andre Johnson out wide, (Garrett) Graham and all those guys out there. We just kind of got a beat at what they were trying to do. They were trying to manipulate us inside and outside and we were able to make some adjustments."

RUNNING BACK SHANE VEREEN

(on the recent games coming down to the end)
"We're working. We have to get better and we know that. We have some success and sometimes we stumble a little bit. That's what practice is for and the more we work at it the better we'll be."

(on him being back and being a key factor in these last possession games)
"I wouldn't say that. When it does come down to those types of games, we feel comfortable and it's something that we've done so many times. When it comes to game time, we're ready to go."