PATRIOTS HEAD COACH BILL BELICHICK
BB: We're ready to go here on the Dolphins this week. Obviously, there's a lot of familiarity with us and some of their players and coaches, but really, all of that aside, it's fairly common every week that there's some type of crossover there. We'll just really focus on what we know about the Dolphins, what we've seen in the five games they've played – four preseason, one regular season game – and concentrate on what they've shown. We know they have other things that they haven't done. I'm sure we'll have some game plan adjustments that we'll have to make. You know, Chad [O'Shea], Pat[rick Graham], B-Flo [Brian Flores], Danny [Crossman] all do a great job of that, so we'll have to take that as it comes. Very good group of skilled players offensively – tight end, backs, receivers. Obviously, they addressed the defensive line in the draft with [Christian] Wilkins. He's an outstanding player. Good team speed on defense and good in the kicking game. Very impressive in the kicking game with a lot of players. [Jakeem] Grant's an explosive guy. So, that's a strong area of the team, as well. It's been a tough matchup for us down there. We've got to do a better job than we've done in the past if we expect different results, and we'll work toward trying to get that. On Antonio's [Brown] situation, both Antonio and his representatives have made statements, and so I'm not going to be expanding on any of those. They are what they are. We've looked into the situation. We're taking it very seriously all the way through the organization. I'm sure there are questions, but I'm not going to be entering into the discussion about that today. So, that's where we're at.
Q: Were you aware of the lawsuit when you signed Antonio Brown?
BB: I'm not going to be expanding on the statements that have already been given.
Q: Don't you think the fans deserve to hear a little bit more from you…
BB: When we know more, we'll say more.
Q: … on such a major development that could impact the team?
BB: Yeah, I just said that.
Q: Don't you think fans deserve to hear a little bit more?
BB: When we know more, we'll say more.
Q: Are you preparing to have Antonio Brown at practice today?
BB: Yes.
Q: And are you preparing for him to play on Sunday?
BB: We're taking it one day at a time. Just like we always do.
Q: Are you preparing for the possibility that he could be on the commissioner's exempt list?
BB: We're preparing for one day at a time.
Q: How much would the allegations against him weigh into if you play him on Sunday?
BB: Yeah, I appreciate all of the questions, and what's been said has been said.
Q: You brought up Randy Moss yesterday. Do you think Antonio Brown will require as much attention as Moss did to get him in-sync with the team?
BB: Yeah, I didn't say that.
Q: Well, I'm asking you.
BB: Yeah, I don't know.
Q: You don't know if he'll require more attention?
BB: No.
Q: How difficult or frustrating is it to have a distraction like this right at the beginning of the season?
BB: Yeah, we're working on Miami. We're working on Miami. The rest of it is – we're on Miami.
Q: You've had bigger distractions before. Are you confident this isn't going to throw you off track at all?
BB: We're working on Miami. Went through the scouting report, went through the game plan today. We're going to practice for Miami.
Q: Can you tell us at all what Antonio Brown has said to you?
BB: Yeah, I mean I'm done with that, OK? Anything else on Miami? Any other questions?
Q: You're done with it in what way? Can you explain what you mean that you're done with it? We're just trying to find out if he's said anything to you about his position or about the allegations.
BB: Yeah, and I just answered that question.
Q: Well, actually you didn't.
BB: Actually, I did.