PATRIOTS LINEBACKER KYLE VAN NOY
Q: What's it like to be back in Detroit, but in a different jersey?
KVN: It feels good. It feels good to come back a winner and say hi to people I haven't seen in a while.
Q: Does coming back here make you extra thankful for the opportunity to be a Patriot?
KVN: I'm happy to get to work, to hang out with my teammates, and then to see old faces. The behind-the-scenes people that don't get enough credit – the Elton Moore's, the cafeteria people, Gina, I mean there's so many people I could just name – the behind-the-scenes people that have been so good to me and my family that I've got to show them love when I come back. They've been amazing to me, and always have and always will be.
Q: Not knowing how much you're going to play Thursday, how important are the reps over the new few days?
KVN: It's great. Detroit, they're building something. Matty P [Patricia] is running a tight ship and it's good competition. They have really good players. [Matthew] Stafford has always been good. I think he's one of the most underrated, toughest players in the league. I always have respect for him and what he does, and they have really good up-and-coming players. They've just got to put the pieces together, and I feel like they'll be pretty good.
Q: How does being together on the road together for a week help you develop routines?
KVN: Yeah, it's no secret we didn't do hot on the road, and this is a great way to start for us. The first preseason [game], getting away from familiar territories back at home to come in here, get a routine, come to something that is not normal to most. It is to me, but just to get it going and play hard.
Q: Bill Belichick said this morning that the scheme in New England is a better fit for you than Detroit's scheme. When did you feel like New England's scheme was perfect for you?
KVN: I don't want to sit here and tailor my skills, that would be kind of like, "I'm only good because of a certain scheme." I'm not going to go that route. Bill, and when Matty P was there, and Flo [Brian Flores] and [Jerod] Mayo, and all of these coaches that I've played with in New England have put me in a spot to play to my strengths, and put me in a position to succeed. I respect that and I'm happy to be a part of it, and I would just leave it at that. I just don't want to take away from my talent, my skill, and my capabilities if I said that was the reason, if that makes sense.
Q: Tom Brady talked earlier about the uncertainty his new contract has with salary following this year, and you're in the same situation. What's it like going into a season with some uncertainty surrounding your contract following the year?
KVN: Honestly, since you said it, I haven't even thought about it in a while. I'm honestly just enjoying my time playing and focusing on just getting better and playing at an elite level.
Q: Does it surprise you that Tom would talk about other players in the final year of their contracts?
KVN: Well, it's funny you brought that up. Not many people said "congrats" to him because of all the money he's made, but I went up to him and said, "Congrats, man, you made some more money." It's always a blessing to make money, so he's been doing it for a while. I'm happy to play on the defensive side of him, go against him. He's a phenomenal player, and I'm excited to see what he can do at 42. Shut some more people up.
Q: What have you learned from Tom over the past couple seasons?
KVN: I mean, we could be here all day, but I'd say the base of it is just being a competitor. Every day you've got to show up at practice, no matter how hurt you are or sick you are, don't matter if your feelings are hurt, you've got to come out and ball.
Q: So he raises the intensity?
KVN: For sure. In everybody. He holds everybody to that standard, but that's set by the highest level. That's set by Bill, and Bill does a great job of making everybody on that same page.
Q: No old guy jokes when you guys get together?
KVN: I'll keep those to myself.
Q: Is it cool to just soak in what the Hall of Fame has to offer?
KVN: Yeah, it's cool to see players in there that I know. It's cool to see players that I know that are about to go in there. It's an amazing honor, and it was an amazing trip as a team to do it.
Q: What do you think about the depth of the linebacker corps?
KVN: Elite. I think it's very elite, and I'm excited to let loose and see what we all can do together. I'm really excited for it. Some people have knocked us – we're slow and all that – but I'm excited to come out and play.
Q: Ja'Whaun Bentley missed a lot of time last year. What progression have you seen from him from year one to year two?
KVN: Just comfortable, was around us so we've got a relationship with him. In all assets, he's just a good player. I'm excited to see what he does.
