Bledsoe Still Hurting From Playoff Loss But Quarterback Optimistic That Patriots’ Day Will Come Soon
The disappointment of losing in the AFC playoff semifinals Jan. 3 at Pittsburgh is still evident in his sad expression when he reflects on that balmy winter day at Three Rivers Stadium.
Drew Bledsoe hasn’t forgotten that painful 7-6 loss. Patriots fans haven’t, either.
One lousy field goal was all Bledsoe needed to put on the scoreboard when he took over at his 1-yard line for the final drive of the game, only to watch momentum and the season vanish when he fumbled the ball away on a blindside hit.
He said he never hurt more emotionally after a loss than that day. And apparently, his teammates felt the same way. There was confusion in the Patriots locker room. Players were lashing out at anyone and everyone. Sam Gash was blaming the lack of commitment to the running game. Dave Meggett wondered why he wasn’t playing in the regular offense. Willie McGinest complained there was a lack of discipline. Keith Byars was lashing out at reporters for getting too near him.
Some players noticed Bledsoe entertaining Washington State’s Ryan Leaf and the agent for both quarterbacks, Leigh Steinberg, and wondered why he was doing so after such a devastating loss. Still others questioned whether Bledsoe was a quarterback who could win the big one.
After two months and a litany of off-field activity, Bledsoe briefly returned to Foxboro Stadium Friday, meeting with new offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese to get the nuts and bolts of his third offensive system in as many years.
Will that game and those vivid memories of his teammates haunt him?
“I think there’s always fallout after an emotional loss like that,” said Bledsoe, dressed in a gray cotton Nike sweatsuit. “But I think because we’ve been through some things as a team, that will make us stronger in the long run.”
Speaking optimistically about the Patriots’ future despite the losses of Gash, Byars and the impending departure of Vincent Brisby, Bledsoe said a good gauge of the team’s commitment will be the attendance at the strength and conditioning workouts that begin Wednesday.
“I think it’s a sign of the commitment this team has and I’m hoping it’s well-attended,” he said. “I think myself and a lot of guys came away from that last game using that as a motivational tool for next season. We’re not that far away from a championship, and after the last two years, I think we all realize what we need to do to win the championship.”
For his part, Bledsoe said he was heading back West for his son Stuart’s baptism and then returning the last week of March for good. He said he would be leaving occasionally to fulfill certain commitments all big-time quarterbacks have, but he is intent on staying around and working with his receivers on Zampese’s new scheme.
“It’s very similar to what we did last year,” said Bledsoe. “The terminology is all the same. Ernie emphasizes the timing and rhythm more than Larry (Kennan) did. There are quicker throws, but we’re still going to emphasize our speed and get the ball downfield.”
Bledsoe called Troy Aikman, who gave the Cowboys’ former offensive coordinator, Zampese, high marks. He’s watched the Dallas offense as much as anyone the past few years and feels he’s suited for it.
“This is less of a departure from what we were doing two years ago,” said Bledsoe. “I think it’ll be a great offense. I’d like to be able to get going on throwing the ball to Terry (Glenn) and Shawn (Jefferson) and Ben (Coates) by mid- to late-April. That’s when I usually start throwing after giving my arm a chance to rest a bit.”
While he hasn’t really established an off-season goal in terms of bettering himself, he would like to strive to eliminate “negative plays.” Two that stand out were the interception by Kevin Henry that cost the Patriots the regular-season game against the Steelers and the fumble in the playoff game.
“I thought I made strides protecting the football,” said Bledsoe, “but there were times that I cost my team a game when I lost the football. I have to do a better job at that.”
Bledsoe loved working with Kennan, the deposed offensive coordinator who resigned as quarterbacks coach this week. Now he has to get used to his third quarterbacks coach in as many years, likely to be former Dallas QB coach Jack Reilly.
Bledsoe wants a quarterbacks coach who will harp on mechanics because he’s prone to slipping into bad habits during a game. He also wants a coach who can present the game plan to him in a way he can excel with it. Lastly, he wants a quarterbacks coach who “is on your side no matter what.” He elaborated, “You have to have a certain level of comfort when you’re out there and you have to know that the coach is behind what you’re trying to do.”
Bledsoe plans to call Glenn to urge him to to be in Foxborough often in the off-season.
He praised the organization for re-signing the offensive line. Bledsoe cited the fact that in the past two years, his only injury was a slightly sprained ankle, a tribute to the protection afforded by the line.
The running game?
“I’ve been here for five years and every year I hear we’re going to run the ball and then that’s scrapped and there are balls flying all over the place,” said Bledsoe. “I think we ran the ball enough when Curtis (Martin) was healthy, but when he was out, we went to the air more. If Curtis is healthy this year, I think we’ll run it. That’s what Ernie believes, anyway. He believes in running until they stop you.”
Notes
Bledsoe didn’t want to comment on the situation of Meggett, who faces sexual assault charges in Toronto. “I have strong personal feelings for Dave,” said Bledsoe, who once called Meggett a Hall of Famer, “but I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to comment at this time.” … Cornerback Steve Israel was at the stadium Friday. He’s recovering from a torn left patella tendon, an injury that proved far more serious than what was thought to be… . The Patriots have only some minor details to work out with free agent Indianapolis Colts receiver Brian Stablein on a three-year contract. … An NFL informational guide, “No Means No!” which discusses sexual assault and rape, sits in the lobby of the Patriots offices. The pamphlet arrived one day after Meggett was accused of sexual assault.