Patriots quarterback Tom Brady addresses the media during his postgame press conference on October 17, 2010.
Q: Long game. You pulled it out.
TB: It was a battle. I think there were a lot of things we wish we could have done better but, I'll tell you, it feels good to win down 10 [points] in the fourth quarter. We are going to watch the film and there is a lot to correct and a lot to build on but it's a good one to win.
Q: How much did Deion Branch help you out?
TB: He did great. You guys asked me earlier this week if there was some chemistry there. I've been throwing balls to him for a long time; he made some big time plays, [a] touchdown catch, so we all kept battling and I think that was why we pulled it out.
Q: On that crucial third down play there was it a coincidence that [Deion] Branch goes for the ball?
TB: We put him over there to see if he could get open and he doesn't let us down.
Q: You seemed to rely on him down the stretch. You really haven't seen him in four seasons. How do you pick it up that quickly?
TB: We've known each other for a long time so I think that chemistry is there and it will be there for a long time. He made some big catches - all those play-action passes - he made some good plays on those, so it's great to have him out there.
Q: Were you limited at all on what you could do with him?
TB: No, not at all.
Q: What can he do best? What makes him such a good receiver?
TB: Everything. I don't think there's a lot that he doesn't do well. [Jokingly] I don't think there are any limitations other than that he is as big as Danny Woodhead and Wes [Welker]. We put that jump on there at the end of the game and I look over and its Wes and Brandon [Tate] so, there's not many limitations that Deion has.
Q: Do these kinds of comebacks ever get old for you?
TB: No. I am telling you, the first half we just didn't play well and the second half we were sporadic. We had some opportunities there and those are the things we are going to kick our self on. I know I missed some reads out there and some open receivers so I have to do a better job of getting us the ball and getting those guys the ball and keeping those chains moving but I am glad we pulled it out.
Q: How do you come back when they had the ball more than you did? How do you deal with that?
TB: Well they did and when we get the ball we have to possess the ball, I think that's how you counter it. You can't go in there and they have the ball for a while and then you go out there and go three and out, which we did a few times. You have to be able to protect the defense when they've been on the field for a while, we have to go out there and put together drives.
Q: Coach [Bill Belichick] talked about this being a big week for the captains. Can you talk about the influence that guys in the locker room have had this week? He even mentioned Kevin Faulk as well.
TB: Kevin is always involved. Alge [Crumpler] has been a great addition to that group as a captain. I think there is a sign when you come in the door that says "mental toughness," and that's doing what you've got to do for your team. I think that was on display today and [is] something that we can really build on and hopefully go out and play better next weekend in San Diego.
