WEBVTT - Pats from the Past, Episode 22: Troy Brown 0:00:07.240 --> 0:00:09.840 It's time for another episode of Pats from the Past 0:00:09.880 --> 0:00:12.760 our podcast Matt Smith alongside Brian Mooree, and we are 0:00:12.920 --> 0:00:16.279 pleased to be joined by Patriot Hall of Famer Troy Brown. 0:00:16.320 --> 0:00:17.240 Troy, how are you doing today? 0:00:17.480 --> 0:00:17.960 Doing awesome? 0:00:17.960 --> 0:00:18.080 Man? 0:00:18.120 --> 0:00:20.079 How about you guys? Doing great? Doing great? 0:00:20.239 --> 0:00:21.720 Can't good to see you? Yeah, good to see it. 0:00:22.040 --> 0:00:24.080 Get I see you guys much anymore? 0:00:24.160 --> 0:00:24.320 Yeah? 0:00:24.320 --> 0:00:28.200 I know that's that's too bad on our end, maybe 0:00:28.240 --> 0:00:31.360 not on your end. Let's see before we get started, Troy, 0:00:31.360 --> 0:00:33.840 why don't we tell fans who might not be aware, what. 0:00:33.760 --> 0:00:34.760 Are you up to these days? 0:00:34.880 --> 0:00:35.080 Well? 0:00:35.120 --> 0:00:38.520 These days I'm actually, uh, I'm down in coaching now. 0:00:38.760 --> 0:00:42.600 So I've changed things up a little bit and decided 0:00:42.640 --> 0:00:45.120 to get back into the game. And that was the 0:00:45.120 --> 0:00:47.600 only way I could do it, is to become a coach. 0:00:47.640 --> 0:00:49.640 Couldn't play anymore, So I just decided to become a 0:00:49.680 --> 0:00:53.040 coach and stay involved in the game and. 0:00:52.159 --> 0:00:53.880 And be right up in the action that way. Do 0:00:53.960 --> 0:00:56.279 you like it? I love it? I love it. 0:00:56.320 --> 0:00:56.400 So. 0:00:56.440 --> 0:00:58.160 I mean, a lot of a lot of good kids, 0:00:58.160 --> 0:00:59.720 a lot of interesting kids come through, and you get 0:00:59.720 --> 0:01:02.480 a chance to teach and share some of the things 0:01:02.520 --> 0:01:04.880 that I was able to do as a player some 0:01:04.920 --> 0:01:07.479 of the things I learned as a player, and it's 0:01:07.520 --> 0:01:09.240 actually pretty awesome to be able to share that with 0:01:09.280 --> 0:01:10.000 a lot of the players. 0:01:10.160 --> 0:01:12.240 How much of that were you able to do as 0:01:12.280 --> 0:01:15.839 a twelve thirteen, fourteen, fifteen year veteran when young guys 0:01:15.840 --> 0:01:16.120 came in. 0:01:16.160 --> 0:01:17.200 Did you do a lot of that? 0:01:17.640 --> 0:01:17.840 Yeah? 0:01:17.880 --> 0:01:18.920 So focused on your job. 0:01:19.160 --> 0:01:20.560 Yeah, that was a lot of it, But it was 0:01:20.600 --> 0:01:23.560 it was different because I wasn't exactly involved in the 0:01:23.640 --> 0:01:26.600 game planning and you know, behind the scenes stuff that 0:01:26.640 --> 0:01:28.800 went down. It was everything that I got from them, 0:01:29.080 --> 0:01:32.160 you know, or whatever from the coaching staff, and then helped, 0:01:33.600 --> 0:01:36.679 you know, disperse that to the to the to the 0:01:36.720 --> 0:01:38.319 rest of the players and then kind of helped those 0:01:38.360 --> 0:01:41.720 guys understand firsthand, you know, what it took to get 0:01:41.760 --> 0:01:43.679 ready to play, you know, when I was still playing 0:01:43.720 --> 0:01:46.360 as an older player. Being able to pass that knowledge 0:01:46.400 --> 0:01:49.560 down to the younger players, especially receivers, you know, it 0:01:49.600 --> 0:01:51.600 was uh, you know, it was a it was a 0:01:51.600 --> 0:01:54.760 good feeling too. But this side of ask is completely different. 0:01:54.920 --> 0:01:56.880 Now You've got to teach the whole entire thing to them, 0:01:56.880 --> 0:01:59.600 and you know, so it's it's a different type of 0:01:59.600 --> 0:02:00.760 fulfilling and feeling for me. 0:02:01.000 --> 0:02:05.280 You saw first hand Troy as a player, the hours 0:02:05.320 --> 0:02:08.760 that these guys need to do the way what in 0:02:08.800 --> 0:02:11.120 your right mind went through your head to say, you 0:02:11.120 --> 0:02:13.920 know what, that seems like funding me to work eighteen 0:02:13.960 --> 0:02:16.640 twenty hour days. This seems like a good idea to 0:02:16.680 --> 0:02:19.920 do like well, because most of the modern players see 0:02:19.919 --> 0:02:22.040 the hours that goes into coaching and say. 0:02:22.200 --> 0:02:24.840 No, then't made enough money where they don't write, so 0:02:24.919 --> 0:02:25.480 they have to do it. 0:02:25.960 --> 0:02:27.760 Yeah, you got that right, right, you got that right. 0:02:27.760 --> 0:02:30.480 But you know, it's one of those things I think maybe. 0:02:30.240 --> 0:02:32.560 At some point in my career where I've said I 0:02:32.560 --> 0:02:36.000 will never do this, and then as the end starts 0:02:36.040 --> 0:02:38.680 to creep near and near, you start to give it 0:02:38.720 --> 0:02:42.359 some thought, you know, and you think about it, and 0:02:43.720 --> 0:02:45.080 you know, yeah, you would. 0:02:45.800 --> 0:02:47.600 I trying to get better love it, right, You better 0:02:47.680 --> 0:02:47.919 love it. 0:02:48.080 --> 0:02:48.679 You better love it. 0:02:48.880 --> 0:02:51.720 You better love this part of the game or you 0:02:51.800 --> 0:02:55.480 won't enjoy it, you know. So, And you know, thankfully 0:02:55.600 --> 0:02:58.799 for me, at this point in my life, I got 0:02:59.000 --> 0:03:02.639 two grown kids, I got one young son. You know, 0:03:03.040 --> 0:03:05.400 that's a little easier to manage for me, you know, 0:03:06.240 --> 0:03:09.280 And I'm able to spend time with him. Like this 0:03:09.400 --> 0:03:12.480 time of year where we've had some off days we've 0:03:12.560 --> 0:03:15.840 had we go home at a regular hour, so it's 0:03:15.960 --> 0:03:18.400 like just being a regular dad. It's got a regular 0:03:18.480 --> 0:03:20.560 nine to five this time of year. Now when the 0:03:20.639 --> 0:03:23.720 season comes around, it's a little different, you know, and 0:03:24.600 --> 0:03:27.079 you're lucky to get home to tuck them into bed, 0:03:27.800 --> 0:03:31.519 you know, and you know, so you in the weekends 0:03:31.680 --> 0:03:35.080 obviously you know you're playing and you're traveling maybe whatever. 0:03:35.240 --> 0:03:37.960 But for home games it's a little different. You get 0:03:38.000 --> 0:03:40.360 to spend a little time with them, you know, on Friday, 0:03:40.400 --> 0:03:41.680 get out of here a little bit early, and then 0:03:41.720 --> 0:03:44.160 Saturday you're able to you know, come in here and 0:03:44.200 --> 0:03:45.560 then you got some time before you have to be 0:03:45.640 --> 0:03:47.240 to the hotel that night, so you get to do 0:03:47.360 --> 0:03:49.600 some things that with them that way, go to check 0:03:49.640 --> 0:03:51.600 out a basketball game with them or whatever they're doing 0:03:51.720 --> 0:03:52.280 on Saturday. 0:03:52.320 --> 0:03:54.320 You know, if they got basketball flag for whatever it 0:03:54.400 --> 0:03:55.360 is they're doing, that's great. 0:03:55.400 --> 0:03:56.880 So you got a little bit of time to do 0:03:56.960 --> 0:03:59.840 stuff during the season. But you know, obviously it's not 0:04:00.000 --> 0:04:01.320 the kind of time that you would love just been 0:04:01.360 --> 0:04:03.600 with him during the season, but obviously just this time 0:04:03.640 --> 0:04:05.720 of year, you know, you make up for it because 0:04:05.760 --> 0:04:08.080 you would get home at a regular hour, you know, 0:04:08.680 --> 0:04:10.120 so it's not not not too bad. 0:04:10.200 --> 0:04:10.520 So good. 0:04:10.840 --> 0:04:12.920 As I was told before I took the job, is 0:04:13.000 --> 0:04:16.480 that you get uh, the same amount of time a 0:04:16.520 --> 0:04:20.000 teacher has off. It's basically when a coach has off 0:04:20.040 --> 0:04:23.159 in the off season, so combined, not not the whole 0:04:23.200 --> 0:04:26.680 summer like that like school for the summer, but combined 0:04:26.720 --> 0:04:29.359 into off season. So so that was a little bit 0:04:29.360 --> 0:04:31.520 of advice I received from another coaches who was already here. 0:04:31.640 --> 0:04:32.200 That's good to know. 0:04:32.520 --> 0:04:36.159 Yeah, well, okay, let's you want to any more coaches 0:04:36.320 --> 0:04:36.839 know that question? 0:04:37.000 --> 0:04:39.200 Since I mean, I think Troy is you if you 0:04:39.279 --> 0:04:41.880 were to talk to a twenty five year old kid 0:04:42.640 --> 0:04:44.839 and you ask him about Troy Brown, that say, oh, yeah, 0:04:44.880 --> 0:04:46.920 Troy Brown, Hall of Famers in the Patriots Hall of Fame, 0:04:46.960 --> 0:04:49.640 one of the great players in franchise history. My guess 0:04:49.760 --> 0:04:51.760 is that a twenty five year old kid wouldn't know 0:04:52.400 --> 0:04:56.360 Troy Brown was cut right, yeah once twice? 0:04:57.080 --> 0:05:00.120 Yeah, I think I was cut twice. So no, I 0:05:00.200 --> 0:05:02.600 know I was cut twice. Well, courselves did it, and 0:05:02.720 --> 0:05:05.200 then I wouldn't say I was cut. Well, you didn't 0:05:05.200 --> 0:05:07.760 make the team. How about I just wasn't re signed, yes, 0:05:07.960 --> 0:05:11.440 you know, oh until late so I was. I guess 0:05:11.480 --> 0:05:14.719 I was cut once and then not re signed because 0:05:14.760 --> 0:05:16.680 one particular time, you know, so. 0:05:17.040 --> 0:05:19.080 Right, Patriots have a pretty good success with players in 0:05:19.120 --> 0:05:22.320 the one hundred and nineties as far as I mean. 0:05:22.320 --> 0:05:24.760 Eighth round, which doesn't mean a lot today because there's 0:05:24.760 --> 0:05:26.360 more than one hundred and ninety eight picks, but there 0:05:26.400 --> 0:05:29.440 wasn't There was only there's only seven rounds now, one 0:05:29.520 --> 0:05:31.760 hundred and ninety eighth pick. So when you come in, 0:05:33.120 --> 0:05:36.000 you probably already feel like I'm behind the eight ball 0:05:36.080 --> 0:05:38.160 with a chance to make this roster, right, I mean, 0:05:38.680 --> 0:05:40.960 how that first camp did you feel like you did 0:05:41.040 --> 0:05:42.200 well enough to make the team? 0:05:42.839 --> 0:05:45.560 Well, when you don't know any better when you're coming in, 0:05:45.720 --> 0:05:48.440 it's like all I wanted was an opportunity. So the 0:05:48.480 --> 0:05:50.280 first round would have been great. It could have got 0:05:50.320 --> 0:05:51.880 some drew bled so money, you know, that would have 0:05:51.880 --> 0:05:55.120 been awesome. But that didn't happen. But I got my 0:05:55.200 --> 0:05:56.800 foot in the door, so I was like, I'm fine, 0:05:56.800 --> 0:05:58.080 I'm going I'm gonna go ahead and make a name 0:05:58.120 --> 0:06:01.720 for myself. I didn't really understand in the whole process 0:06:01.960 --> 0:06:03.800 of that me, being an eighth round picked me, I 0:06:03.839 --> 0:06:07.559 was gonna have less opportunities to somebody else, so until 0:06:07.600 --> 0:06:09.480 I really got here, and then I saw how the 0:06:09.480 --> 0:06:11.760 play count was going, and then oh, you got the 0:06:11.839 --> 0:06:14.200 last two snaps of our team and we get to 0:06:14.360 --> 0:06:17.280 wash it in. So uh, that's kind of when I 0:06:17.320 --> 0:06:21.440 started figuring all that out. So but you know, as 0:06:21.520 --> 0:06:25.440 a young player, you know, you learn really quickly that, uh, 0:06:26.520 --> 0:06:28.280 you got to learn to make the best of those 0:06:28.320 --> 0:06:31.599 situations and be ready to go, you know, for those 0:06:31.640 --> 0:06:35.400 two plays that you might get all day. And for me, 0:06:35.839 --> 0:06:38.240 I was able to make it happen and perform and 0:06:38.480 --> 0:06:41.240 uh and put some good stuff out there that they 0:06:41.279 --> 0:06:44.120 could see. And then the key was is that being 0:06:44.160 --> 0:06:47.680 from a smaller school like Marshall, I had an opportunity 0:06:47.720 --> 0:06:50.480 to play special teams. I played defense there as well, 0:06:51.279 --> 0:06:52.960 and uh, and then a lot of different things. So 0:06:53.040 --> 0:06:56.880 playing special teams was not like degrading to me. So 0:06:57.560 --> 0:06:59.120 like a lot of you know, guys who come from 0:06:59.200 --> 0:07:03.000 Michigan doing some Power five schools, special teams especial teams 0:07:03.040 --> 0:07:05.480 is kind of you know, they kind of looked down 0:07:05.520 --> 0:07:08.520 on that stuff back then. So and for me, it 0:07:08.640 --> 0:07:10.240 was just like an opportunity to get out there and 0:07:10.280 --> 0:07:11.560 say what I could do and get a spot on 0:07:11.640 --> 0:07:12.840 the team, and that's what happens. 0:07:12.840 --> 0:07:14.000 So I was able to say I can cover. 0:07:14.040 --> 0:07:17.040 Kicks, I can return kicks, I can return punts, I 0:07:17.080 --> 0:07:19.680 can cover punts, I can hold up on device. Whatever 0:07:19.720 --> 0:07:21.120 you needed me to do, I could do it, so 0:07:21.280 --> 0:07:22.560 and that helped me make the team. 0:07:22.840 --> 0:07:25.440 I say I had asked that previous question Troy, because 0:07:25.440 --> 0:07:27.920 I think people all team Hall of Fame. He must 0:07:27.920 --> 0:07:30.080 have had this unbelievable career, which you did have a 0:07:30.120 --> 0:07:32.600 great career, but it wasn't like it started like that. 0:07:33.080 --> 0:07:34.720 You had to work your ass off in order to 0:07:34.800 --> 0:07:35.120 get there. 0:07:35.520 --> 0:07:36.280 And I think. 0:07:37.600 --> 0:07:40.280 I want to ask you is how much of a 0:07:40.360 --> 0:07:44.680 factor do you think in coming to New England. 0:07:44.480 --> 0:07:46.440 And being there when Drew first started. 0:07:46.840 --> 0:07:49.880 You know, you kind of immediately got that relationship going 0:07:49.960 --> 0:07:51.480 with Drew and you could see that you guys had 0:07:51.520 --> 0:07:53.880 a connection. How helpful do you think it was for 0:07:54.040 --> 0:07:57.120 you from a staying power standpoint to know that he 0:07:57.280 --> 0:07:58.040 was in your corner. 0:07:58.080 --> 0:08:00.400 He's not picking the team. I'm not saying that, but 0:08:00.480 --> 0:08:00.960 do you think that. 0:08:01.000 --> 0:08:03.920 That relationship was important to eventually getting on and staying 0:08:03.920 --> 0:08:04.360 on the team. 0:08:04.600 --> 0:08:06.440 Yeah, it was definitely important. You know. 0:08:06.440 --> 0:08:08.360 I remember coming here and his drew like in the 0:08:08.920 --> 0:08:11.520 we came here in the off during the summer whatever 0:08:11.520 --> 0:08:14.280 it was. We started off season training and he actually 0:08:14.360 --> 0:08:17.360 gave me the keys to his his Taurus. He had 0:08:17.360 --> 0:08:18.800 a he had a white tarist. He gave me the 0:08:18.880 --> 0:08:21.480 keys to it. Just from doing you know, being around 0:08:21.520 --> 0:08:23.480 him doing workouts and stuff. He was kind of generous 0:08:23.560 --> 0:08:25.440 like that. Of course, he had just bought a Porsche. 0:08:25.600 --> 0:08:28.600 He just brought it. He just bought a blue Porsche. 0:08:29.120 --> 0:08:35.480 He had he had this what didn't go down like that? 0:08:35.679 --> 0:08:37.840 You know, I wish, Yeah, I wish. 0:08:37.920 --> 0:08:39.559 But he gave me, you know, he gave me the 0:08:39.640 --> 0:08:42.559 keys to his his his dealership card that he had, 0:08:43.320 --> 0:08:45.959 you know, and uh told me, hey, go hey, do 0:08:46.040 --> 0:08:47.360 whatever you need to doing it, you know. And uh, 0:08:47.800 --> 0:08:50.439 so our friendship was you know there, and the trust 0:08:50.600 --> 0:08:52.840 was there, you know, even before we even set foot 0:08:52.880 --> 0:08:55.360 on the field. So just from off season training and 0:08:55.400 --> 0:08:58.040 stuff like that, so and uh and then being able 0:08:58.040 --> 0:08:59.959 to get on the field and show what I could do. 0:09:00.200 --> 0:09:04.319 He always tells a story about you know, his dad 0:09:04.360 --> 0:09:06.839 would ask him about the receivers and how you know, 0:09:06.880 --> 0:09:08.679 who's good, really goodness, and that he said, well, we 0:09:08.760 --> 0:09:11.319 got some good guys, but this one guy, he's really good. 0:09:11.360 --> 0:09:12.839 You got to you gotta see him thatad, you know. 0:09:12.960 --> 0:09:15.800 So he always tells that story all the time about 0:09:15.880 --> 0:09:19.280 you know, his first stories from training camp and uh, 0:09:19.480 --> 0:09:20.600 who could play, who couldn't? 0:09:20.640 --> 0:09:20.920 Or whatever? 0:09:21.080 --> 0:09:23.559 He wearing number six or something? Right, you were weren't 0:09:23.559 --> 0:09:24.280 you wearing number six? 0:09:24.360 --> 0:09:25.280 I was wearing number six? 0:09:25.400 --> 0:09:29.040 Yes, I was, yeah, number six man, And uh, yeah, 0:09:29.160 --> 0:09:31.480 those were the good days, man, those were the good day. 0:09:31.559 --> 0:09:34.400 So and uh, did that help you from a confidence standpoint, Troy, 0:09:34.559 --> 0:09:38.240 to know that. I mean, here's first round, pick first overall, 0:09:38.320 --> 0:09:40.920 pick first, pick money, all those things that you're saying, 0:09:41.200 --> 0:09:44.200 that that guy's in your corner. From a confidence stampoint, I. 0:09:44.400 --> 0:09:47.559 Would sell, yes, But I didn't know those conversations was 0:09:47.640 --> 0:09:49.840 going on behind the scenes with he and the coaches 0:09:49.880 --> 0:09:52.320 that he was fighting for me to be on the team, 0:09:52.720 --> 0:09:55.360 you know, as as as guys that he liked, you know, 0:09:55.840 --> 0:09:58.240 and uh you know, and as you know, back in 0:09:58.320 --> 0:10:00.559 those days, it was it was more like if you 0:10:00.600 --> 0:10:01.839 weren't from a big school. 0:10:01.600 --> 0:10:03.520 You were more likely you were gonna get cut. 0:10:03.640 --> 0:10:05.840 You know whatever have of that, like, you know, they 0:10:05.880 --> 0:10:07.880 didn't think you could play or compete with these guys 0:10:07.960 --> 0:10:08.240 or whatever. 0:10:08.240 --> 0:10:08.520 It was. 0:10:09.120 --> 0:10:13.319 So so I didn't know he was fighting that much 0:10:13.360 --> 0:10:16.040 for me behind the scenes until you know, years later. 0:10:16.400 --> 0:10:19.160 But when you so, I'm always curious when a guy who, 0:10:19.360 --> 0:10:21.719 especially a guy like you, who now we know what 0:10:21.920 --> 0:10:25.800 happened when you get cut and Coach Parcels calls you 0:10:25.800 --> 0:10:29.160 in the office, assuming he did, Yeah, do you get 0:10:29.160 --> 0:10:31.640 an indication when he's letting you go there that hey, 0:10:31.760 --> 0:10:34.120 stay in shape, Well we could come back to you 0:10:34.200 --> 0:10:36.320 here or is it you're just. 0:10:36.400 --> 0:10:37.360 Cut and you don't know. 0:10:37.600 --> 0:10:41.640 I didn't get any indication, not me, because I had 0:10:41.800 --> 0:10:44.079 I had a poor This is my second season. I 0:10:44.120 --> 0:10:46.520 was going into my second season. In the preseason, I 0:10:46.600 --> 0:10:48.360 had a poor showing in Green Bay. I think it 0:10:48.400 --> 0:10:51.319 was the last preseason game of of that of that 0:10:52.200 --> 0:10:55.160 of the of the season that year. And I didn't 0:10:55.160 --> 0:10:56.640 I didn't play great. I had a guy I had 0:10:56.679 --> 0:10:58.640 the balls strip from me and all this stuff, you know, 0:10:58.800 --> 0:11:01.240 and you know, and it it just wasn't a good showing. 0:11:01.320 --> 0:11:02.760 So he called me in the office and said, I 0:11:02.760 --> 0:11:04.480 don't know, you know, what's going on with you, but 0:11:04.960 --> 0:11:06.400 we're gonna have to you let you go. And there 0:11:06.480 --> 0:11:10.040 was no indication whatsoever about staying in shape, but we'll 0:11:10.080 --> 0:11:12.040 bring you back in a week two weeks. You know, 0:11:12.080 --> 0:11:15.959 when I was out of football for nine weeks, I 0:11:16.040 --> 0:11:17.600 think it was nine weeks, eight or nine weeks. 0:11:17.679 --> 0:11:19.800 Did you think that was it? Did you think that 0:11:20.000 --> 0:11:21.199 was it? That your dreams? 0:11:21.280 --> 0:11:21.480 Yeah? 0:11:21.679 --> 0:11:23.480 I felt like that was it because I had a 0:11:23.520 --> 0:11:27.040 couple of visits that I went on and I was 0:11:27.080 --> 0:11:30.280 still working out back at Marshall, you know, catching punts 0:11:30.320 --> 0:11:30.560 or whatever. 0:11:30.679 --> 0:11:32.000 Running it's trying to stay in shape. 0:11:32.480 --> 0:11:35.839 And then it got around like what week six seven, 0:11:35.960 --> 0:11:38.320 somewhere in there, I went in and out and rolled 0:11:38.360 --> 0:11:42.400 back in school. I started working at the UH at 0:11:42.400 --> 0:11:44.959 the at the Boys and Girls club there, you know, 0:11:45.480 --> 0:11:48.839 and and I said, well, you know, this is what 0:11:48.920 --> 0:11:50.760 it is. I'll be back in school in January. And 0:11:51.559 --> 0:11:54.120 you know, it was just as soon as I was putting, uh, 0:11:54.360 --> 0:11:57.079 putting the claks up and getting ready to you know, 0:11:57.480 --> 0:12:00.199 look to the next chapter of my life, at a 0:12:00.240 --> 0:12:03.120 phone call from Bobby Greer saying, we're sending you a 0:12:03.160 --> 0:12:08.240 plane ticket to come back, you know, And so I said, okay, 0:12:08.800 --> 0:12:09.360 I'll be back. 0:12:09.720 --> 0:12:11.720 First thing, think about this for a second. 0:12:12.240 --> 0:12:16.640 Troy Brown is talking about ball security issues that he 0:12:16.760 --> 0:12:21.400 had in preseason that led to his being released. If 0:12:21.440 --> 0:12:24.319 there's one thing to ever sum up about Troy Brown 0:12:24.400 --> 0:12:26.800 in his career that you would never even think about, 0:12:26.800 --> 0:12:29.960 would be ball security, because if the ball was anywhere 0:12:30.000 --> 0:12:32.319 in the area code, Troy was going to get his 0:12:32.400 --> 0:12:34.800 hands on it and catch it, or if somebody else 0:12:34.880 --> 0:12:37.199 had his hands on it, I e. Marlon McCree in 0:12:37.280 --> 0:12:39.280 San Diego, he was going to get it out of 0:12:39.320 --> 0:12:41.800 his hands. Well, I mean, how ironic is that that 0:12:42.280 --> 0:12:46.400 that ball security failed him but never failed you again 0:12:46.480 --> 0:12:48.000 for the rest, that must have been a lesson that 0:12:48.080 --> 0:12:49.760 you said, Well, if I'm going to get cut, it 0:12:49.800 --> 0:12:51.319 ain't going to be because I fumbled the ball. 0:12:51.400 --> 0:12:55.640 And that's the executive attitude I took. That was the 0:12:55.720 --> 0:12:56.240 number out there. 0:12:56.280 --> 0:12:58.199 I think at some point, I think how many touches 0:12:58.240 --> 0:12:59.960 I had of the ball without fumbling at some point, 0:13:00.360 --> 0:13:02.560 you know, I'm not sure if Kevin Falk or James 0:13:02.600 --> 0:13:05.760 bide Is somebody surpressed that at some point, but you know, uh, 0:13:06.720 --> 0:13:10.800 you know, so it became a major thing to me 0:13:10.920 --> 0:13:12.679 not to turn the football over no matter what you do, 0:13:13.280 --> 0:13:15.560 just don't turn it over. You know, if you return 0:13:15.640 --> 0:13:17.880 it for one yard and don't turn it over, you 0:13:17.960 --> 0:13:19.520 still got a chance to score. If you return it 0:13:19.559 --> 0:13:21.520 for fifty yards down to the five and you fumble 0:13:21.600 --> 0:13:24.240 it and give it back to the other team, you know, 0:13:24.679 --> 0:13:26.839 which would you rather have the fifty yard to one? 0:13:27.559 --> 0:13:29.439 You know, you rather have the one yard return, so 0:13:29.880 --> 0:13:31.960 and you have possession of the football. So and uh, 0:13:32.600 --> 0:13:35.280 you know, you kind of had to adapt those attitudes 0:13:35.360 --> 0:13:38.480 to learn the ways of not just the NFL, but 0:13:38.559 --> 0:13:41.360 of Bill Parcells and and the way he coached the 0:13:41.400 --> 0:13:44.120 game and things that would get you beat. 0:13:44.360 --> 0:13:45.280 As a football team. 0:13:45.320 --> 0:13:46.640 And that was one of the quickest ways to get 0:13:46.679 --> 0:13:51.240 yourselves beat and cut obviously, so as to not have 0:13:51.400 --> 0:13:52.400 the ball at the end of the play. 0:13:53.000 --> 0:13:53.719 So you come back. 0:13:54.320 --> 0:13:56.880 You in ninety five, you start to carve out a 0:13:56.960 --> 0:14:00.400 little bit of a role, you know, catching some passes. Obviously, 0:14:00.520 --> 0:14:03.880 ninety six you have that amazing catch that everybody remembers 0:14:03.880 --> 0:14:06.800 in the season finale, lying on your back. 0:14:08.360 --> 0:14:11.440 And then don't play in the Super Bowl that year? 0:14:11.960 --> 0:14:14.839 Yeah, could you have played in the Super Bowl that year? 0:14:15.280 --> 0:14:17.120 I would like to say I could have played, you know, 0:14:17.240 --> 0:14:19.640 I knew I was injured, and it was just a 0:14:19.800 --> 0:14:22.960 matter of how long I could have held up. What's 0:14:23.040 --> 0:14:25.960 the major issue of why I didn't play and what 0:14:26.040 --> 0:14:29.800 was the injury I had? I had hernias. I didn't 0:14:29.800 --> 0:14:32.040 know at the time. All I know was that I 0:14:32.160 --> 0:14:34.960 had pain in that area and in my groans, and 0:14:36.160 --> 0:14:39.560 they didn't know exactly what it was. And so at 0:14:39.600 --> 0:14:42.120 that point it was just like he Bill just was like, 0:14:42.520 --> 0:14:46.080 you know, Parcelles just said, I would love to you know, 0:14:46.120 --> 0:14:48.160 I know it's killing you and questioning you. And I 0:14:48.240 --> 0:14:50.960 was sitting at the breakfast table crying. I was looking 0:14:50.960 --> 0:14:52.480 at him like this and I had tears in my eyes. 0:14:52.560 --> 0:14:54.840 Rolled him down and he said, I can't actually sent 0:14:54.920 --> 0:14:58.560 Johnny Parker over the strength coach to tell me that 0:14:58.600 --> 0:15:00.160 I couldn't play, because he didn't have the heart to 0:15:00.200 --> 0:15:03.200 tell me. I couldn't you know that I wasn't going 0:15:03.240 --> 0:15:05.240 to be dressing for the game, you know, And I 0:15:05.320 --> 0:15:07.160 knew it all along because he didn't really I didn't 0:15:07.200 --> 0:15:09.560 practice all week, you know, we had we had that 0:15:09.640 --> 0:15:12.440 week here before and it was just like things that 0:15:12.520 --> 0:15:15.040 I was doing in practice, I'd be good until I 0:15:15.120 --> 0:15:16.840 did this, and then there'd be a shooting pain up 0:15:17.000 --> 0:15:19.520 my torso, you know, and then I'd be good for 0:15:19.560 --> 0:15:21.360 a little while and there'd be another shuitting paint up 0:15:21.360 --> 0:15:23.920 my Torso he just, you know, his his you know, 0:15:24.040 --> 0:15:25.800 reasoning was at the end of the day, he just 0:15:25.840 --> 0:15:26.920 didn't know how long I was going to. 0:15:26.920 --> 0:15:30.840 Hold up in the game and then be dout a body, right, 0:15:31.040 --> 0:15:32.160 you know, for having me in the game. 0:15:32.240 --> 0:15:35.360 I don't think it's a stretch to say New England 0:15:35.480 --> 0:15:40.080 fan folklore that that decision. You know, you think about, okay, well, 0:15:40.080 --> 0:15:41.680 who's going to be the fifty third guy or the 0:15:41.720 --> 0:15:43.400 forty fifth guy in the Super Bowl? 0:15:43.680 --> 0:15:45.000 How big of a decision could that be. 0:15:45.120 --> 0:15:48.880 I think they're Patriot fans that say, Hassan Graham started 0:15:48.960 --> 0:15:50.920 that game and was on special teams and if it 0:15:50.960 --> 0:15:53.040 had been Troy Brown, there's no way that Howard would 0:15:53.040 --> 0:15:55.600 have returned that kick for a touchdown. I mean, that's 0:15:55.640 --> 0:15:57.200 how crazy some fans are, right, right. 0:15:57.240 --> 0:16:00.600 Who knows, I know, I've heard that a lot right years, right, 0:16:00.840 --> 0:16:02.240 and I agreed I would have made that tackle. 0:16:04.400 --> 0:16:06.840 Doubt no, maybe they would have double team blocked you though. 0:16:06.760 --> 0:16:08.560 Because it was Troy possibly. 0:16:09.960 --> 0:16:10.000 So. 0:16:10.280 --> 0:16:11.840 But then over the next three years with. 0:16:11.880 --> 0:16:15.440 Pete Carroll here ninety seven to ninety nine, you start 0:16:15.480 --> 0:16:18.520 to get a little more action. Terry Glenn injuries maybe 0:16:18.560 --> 0:16:21.000 help you out a little bit because you got more opportunities. 0:16:21.320 --> 0:16:24.280 Yeah uh yeah, though Terry Gunn his injuries that did 0:16:24.360 --> 0:16:25.880 help me out a lot of being able to get 0:16:25.880 --> 0:16:27.680 on the field a little bit more, because at that 0:16:27.800 --> 0:16:32.480 point in ninety seven, now I had to reprove myself 0:16:32.560 --> 0:16:35.120 all over to a new coaching staff. They had no 0:16:35.200 --> 0:16:38.680 idea who I was, you know, after four seasons under 0:16:38.720 --> 0:16:41.760 Bill parcels So. And that was a process in itself. 0:16:42.080 --> 0:16:44.240 But I think the biggest factor that helped me along 0:16:44.320 --> 0:16:50.440 the way was Ernie's MPAZI coming in in ninety seven, 0:16:50.560 --> 0:16:54.240 ninety eight, eight, yeah, and ninety eight and him coming 0:16:54.280 --> 0:16:57.160 in and watching tape of the ninety six ninety seven 0:16:57.240 --> 0:16:59.880 season and ninety six seasons and stuff like that, and 0:17:00.120 --> 0:17:02.640 then saying he was basically like and he told the 0:17:02.720 --> 0:17:04.200 story to me while he was smoking one of his 0:17:04.280 --> 0:17:08.840 cigarettes in his blue sweatsuit with his pens. Yeah, his pens, 0:17:08.880 --> 0:17:11.480 and he you know, fidgeted around. He was just basically like, 0:17:12.320 --> 0:17:14.440 you know, I came in and I saw the tape, 0:17:15.640 --> 0:17:19.960 I said, I said, God, no, who's that Terry Glynn. 0:17:21.040 --> 0:17:24.680 They said, no, that's Troy Brown. I said, well, I 0:17:24.800 --> 0:17:26.240 gotta have that guy, you know. 0:17:26.480 --> 0:17:30.159 So he was. Uh so he was. 0:17:30.240 --> 0:17:33.000 He was a guy that ended up ended up saving 0:17:33.080 --> 0:17:35.080 my career into that coaching staff, you know, because at 0:17:35.080 --> 0:17:37.000 that point they were bringing they brought in Tony Simmons, 0:17:37.560 --> 0:17:39.280 you know, it was the early second round picks. He 0:17:39.359 --> 0:17:42.400 brought in Brian Stablind and at that particular time gave 0:17:42.440 --> 0:17:44.320 me three million dollars signing bonus, which was a lot 0:17:44.359 --> 0:17:47.120 of money at that particular for you know, a third guy, 0:17:47.240 --> 0:17:50.080 third fourth guy. You know that they just repaid they 0:17:50.240 --> 0:17:54.080 just paid Vincent Brisbee, you know, uh a pretty decent contract. 0:17:54.440 --> 0:17:58.000 So and uh so it was looking like man, you. 0:17:58.040 --> 0:18:03.400 Know, m he missed a big chunk too with his hamstring. 0:18:03.440 --> 0:18:05.439 I think he had some hamstring injuries. 0:18:05.480 --> 0:18:08.080 So they were forced in the and to playing me 0:18:08.160 --> 0:18:10.440 a lot there in ninety seven, you know, because a 0:18:10.440 --> 0:18:13.040 lot of those guys were just banged up. So and 0:18:13.280 --> 0:18:15.480 uh again, you know, you learn, you make that you 0:18:15.600 --> 0:18:17.359 make the best of your opportunities when you get a 0:18:17.440 --> 0:18:20.320 chance to make them. And uh so that ended up 0:18:20.359 --> 0:18:23.000 you know, having me stick around a little bit longer. 0:18:23.200 --> 0:18:25.239 So and then you got a new coaching staff, right right, 0:18:25.280 --> 0:18:26.520 and well the new coaching staff. 0:18:26.600 --> 0:18:29.480 So my words here, Troy, I want to say that 0:18:29.840 --> 0:18:34.240 the official Troy Brown coming out party Monday night football 0:18:34.240 --> 0:18:38.200 against Kansas City two thousand, Bill's first year, uh huh, 0:18:38.560 --> 0:18:42.280 Charlie's first year back as offensive coordinator. Would you agree 0:18:42.320 --> 0:18:44.880 with that number one? And do you think that maybe 0:18:45.080 --> 0:18:48.640 it's something clicked with Bill and Charlie where they said, 0:18:48.640 --> 0:18:52.240 you know, this guy's he's been undervalued. Look at what 0:18:52.359 --> 0:18:54.560 we got here. You know, what are we doing, Let's 0:18:54.560 --> 0:18:55.320 get this kid to ball. 0:18:55.640 --> 0:18:58.160 I remember, well, I think it happened before then, because 0:18:58.240 --> 0:19:03.600 Bill was here in ninety six yep. And and I 0:19:03.720 --> 0:19:05.159 think one of the first things he did was he 0:19:05.240 --> 0:19:06.960 had Charlie called me. I was out in Kansas City 0:19:07.000 --> 0:19:09.480 on a visit. I was a free agent that year. 0:19:09.760 --> 0:19:12.040 I was out there on a visit and Charlie called 0:19:12.920 --> 0:19:14.880 and said that we want to we want to sign 0:19:14.960 --> 0:19:17.320 you back, you know, And then I'm like, I'm out 0:19:17.320 --> 0:19:19.320 here a visit in Kansas City right now. Whatever he said, 0:19:19.359 --> 0:19:21.560 we said, well, we want to give you every opportunity 0:19:21.600 --> 0:19:24.239 to be a starting receiver in his league, and then 0:19:24.320 --> 0:19:27.600 I was like, okay, I'll be back, so I need 0:19:27.680 --> 0:19:29.440 to know and you started that yet because they weren't. 0:19:29.440 --> 0:19:31.159 They weren't talking that way in Kansas City. It was 0:19:31.240 --> 0:19:33.639 like they wanted me to come in and basically, you know, 0:19:33.880 --> 0:19:36.480 fight be whatever fourth guy, third fourth guy, maybe a 0:19:36.560 --> 0:19:40.240 point returner, some kick returner. And you know, he said 0:19:40.280 --> 0:19:42.560 those words to me, like, you know, I'll be back 0:19:42.600 --> 0:19:45.119 on the next flight then and I got back, and 0:19:45.400 --> 0:19:47.720 you know, it was basically like, you know, I said, 0:19:47.760 --> 0:19:49.879 I saw you in how much trouble you gave my 0:19:49.960 --> 0:19:52.040 DBS when I was coaching here in ninety six, and 0:19:52.760 --> 0:19:55.160 you know, thought you practiced really well and practice hard 0:19:55.200 --> 0:19:57.560 and you're a good player. And then he had to 0:19:57.600 --> 0:20:00.159 coach against me when he went to the Jets, you know, 0:20:00.160 --> 0:20:01.600 a couple of times a year, and he was like, 0:20:01.640 --> 0:20:03.080 you know, we had a hard time containing you and 0:20:03.160 --> 0:20:05.520 stopping you did so I mean, so we want we 0:20:05.560 --> 0:20:06.920 want to sign you back and give you a chance 0:20:06.960 --> 0:20:08.600 to be a be a starter here in the league. 0:20:09.040 --> 0:20:11.040 So was it more did they talk to you about 0:20:11.119 --> 0:20:13.560 a role at that point? Was it was it like 0:20:13.720 --> 0:20:17.040 Wayne Krabbet type role because they had was. 0:20:17.080 --> 0:20:18.760 Telling me I was a lot better than Wayne Cubit, 0:20:18.960 --> 0:20:20.400 you know, with the return ability. 0:20:20.520 --> 0:20:21.520 So I agree with that. 0:20:21.680 --> 0:20:24.720 I mean, I mean, according to him, you know, so 0:20:24.880 --> 0:20:27.200 that's that's what he was saying to me. And I'm like, 0:20:27.320 --> 0:20:29.680 you know, well I should be starting because Wayne's Wayne 0:20:29.720 --> 0:20:31.600 was a starting receiving the national and did pretty well 0:20:31.640 --> 0:20:34.720 for himself, you know, so and uh, you know, so 0:20:35.320 --> 0:20:36.680 according to him, that's what he was thinking. 0:20:36.760 --> 0:20:39.120 And a small school guy, another small school. 0:20:38.920 --> 0:20:41.679 Guy, hofsta, So you know, I mean, so that was uh, 0:20:42.240 --> 0:20:44.840 that was the deal. So, I mean, so all I 0:20:45.040 --> 0:20:46.760 when it was an opportunity, don't promise me you'll give 0:20:46.760 --> 0:20:48.639 me a spot, Just give me a just let me 0:20:48.680 --> 0:20:49.760 fight for it, you know, right. 0:20:49.800 --> 0:20:50.719 Do you think then? 0:20:51.320 --> 0:20:55.760 So do you think people in football outside of football 0:20:55.800 --> 0:20:57.960 knew what the concept of a slot receiver was at 0:20:58.000 --> 0:20:58.360 that time? 0:20:59.320 --> 0:21:01.480 You know, I don't know because I don't remember really 0:21:01.600 --> 0:21:04.440 hearing the term as much as I did. You know, 0:21:04.560 --> 0:21:07.320 up until those days about the slot receiver, you know, 0:21:07.359 --> 0:21:10.000 I know, you had like, uh, you had the fun 0:21:10.080 --> 0:21:12.919 bunch in Washington and those type of guys you had, uh, 0:21:13.600 --> 0:21:17.000 the guys in Houston, the running shoot guys in in Atlanta. 0:21:17.280 --> 0:21:19.959 You know, so you had those guys, but you've never 0:21:20.040 --> 0:21:22.360 really heard like the slot receiver guy. You just heard 0:21:22.400 --> 0:21:24.240 like the running shoot, you know, and that type of 0:21:24.280 --> 0:21:28.879 stuff and the fun bunch guys and so. Uh So 0:21:30.119 --> 0:21:33.800 I think that really started becoming a term, you know, 0:21:33.800 --> 0:21:35.800 I guess around the around those years. So I'm not 0:21:35.840 --> 0:21:37.760 really sure who started it off, if they really were, 0:21:37.880 --> 0:21:39.600 if they were using those terms back then. You know, 0:21:39.720 --> 0:21:42.840 I'm not really sure where it all started at, you know, 0:21:42.920 --> 0:21:44.560 but it became a big, big thing. 0:21:45.359 --> 0:21:47.360 They have a good slot receiver the football team. 0:21:47.400 --> 0:21:50.480 I'm not the historian, but I mean, wouldn't you say, 0:21:50.480 --> 0:21:52.920 from a Patriot standpoint that Troy is the first real 0:21:53.040 --> 0:21:56.080 slot receiver And look at how it look at how 0:21:56.119 --> 0:21:59.359 it's evolved since Troy, I mean, where it's become. 0:21:59.520 --> 0:22:03.480 Three three highest catches in Patriot's history are slot receivers. 0:22:03.240 --> 0:22:05.800 Right, And so it's now an integral part of the offense, 0:22:05.920 --> 0:22:06.159 isn't it. 0:22:06.320 --> 0:22:08.639 Yeah, Well, we had a lot of success running with 0:22:08.760 --> 0:22:11.440 with that, with the slot receiver, so and it was 0:22:11.520 --> 0:22:14.040 it became something you were comfortable with and uh able 0:22:14.080 --> 0:22:16.440 to grow it. And then West came in and took 0:22:16.480 --> 0:22:19.239 it to whole other level, and Julian followed that up 0:22:19.359 --> 0:22:22.359 and you know, and we've got guys now is just 0:22:22.520 --> 0:22:25.159 you know, trying to fill those voys now. And so 0:22:25.560 --> 0:22:28.560 it became a very productive thing for us here in 0:22:28.600 --> 0:22:30.760 New England, uh, you know, over those years. 0:22:30.760 --> 0:22:32.320 So I was just glad to be a part of it. 0:22:32.600 --> 0:22:35.280 You know, I'm not sure exactly how it started, where 0:22:35.280 --> 0:22:37.280 it started, when it started, but you know, I was 0:22:37.320 --> 0:22:39.360 just happy to be a play. 0:22:39.240 --> 0:22:40.800 My role in that part of in that part of 0:22:40.840 --> 0:22:41.120 the game. 0:22:41.320 --> 0:22:44.000 If I could ask an x's and o's question related 0:22:44.040 --> 0:22:48.399 to that, is is it something where that in that position, 0:22:48.640 --> 0:22:52.960 in this offense where everything you do is maybe predicated 0:22:53.040 --> 0:22:55.720 on what the defense does and you and the quarterback 0:22:55.800 --> 0:22:57.960 being on the same page. So if I, you know, 0:22:58.000 --> 0:22:59.800 if I'm covering you and I turned my shoulders this way, 0:22:59.840 --> 0:23:02.520 you cutting that way, and the quarterback reads that, it 0:23:02.600 --> 0:23:03.880 depends on what route you have called. 0:23:04.119 --> 0:23:06.120 Now there's plays you gotta call it. There's plays called 0:23:06.160 --> 0:23:08.440 and then you gotta run them, you know, and then 0:23:08.520 --> 0:23:10.560 you it may be an option route that you may have, 0:23:10.680 --> 0:23:12.080 it may not be an option route that you have. 0:23:12.760 --> 0:23:15.200 You know, you just gotta you gotta have a little 0:23:15.200 --> 0:23:16.760 bit of a little bit of savvy in there. When 0:23:16.800 --> 0:23:19.359 you're playing and a good feel for it and you 0:23:19.520 --> 0:23:21.800 and you gotta have a good relationship with the quarterback, 0:23:22.320 --> 0:23:22.520 you know. 0:23:22.680 --> 0:23:25.120 And so I was able to grow with Drew. 0:23:25.160 --> 0:23:27.840 I was able to grow with Tom and those roles 0:23:27.960 --> 0:23:31.000 and you just kind of learn each other and I know, 0:23:31.240 --> 0:23:33.640 you know what each other expect. He expected certain things 0:23:33.640 --> 0:23:35.760 from me. I expected certain things for him like not 0:23:35.840 --> 0:23:37.679 throwing me over the middle and getting my head knocked off, 0:23:38.200 --> 0:23:40.600 you know, and may not lead them into interceptions, right, 0:23:40.760 --> 0:23:42.879 so by my decisions, you know, based off the defense, 0:23:42.920 --> 0:23:45.000 so that type of stuff. But you know, so it 0:23:45.160 --> 0:23:47.560 was uh so you know it it Yeah, you had 0:23:47.560 --> 0:23:50.480 to have a good relationship with the quarterback to be 0:23:50.520 --> 0:23:52.399 able to play. And that Dion Branch had a he 0:23:52.560 --> 0:23:54.120 was pretty good. He could play all over the place 0:23:54.160 --> 0:23:56.359 as well too, so what he was pretty good in 0:23:56.400 --> 0:23:56.800 there as well? 0:23:57.040 --> 0:23:57.800 How does that happen? 0:23:58.200 --> 0:24:00.840 Uh, Troy, how do you develop that kind of relationship? 0:24:00.920 --> 0:24:03.080 Because you mentioned it with Tom and that I would 0:24:03.080 --> 0:24:05.920 say that it's an understatement. I mean, certainly for those 0:24:06.040 --> 0:24:08.639 years Tom's first years, he was dialed in on you, 0:24:08.800 --> 0:24:10.840 you know, and knew where you were and and you 0:24:10.920 --> 0:24:12.360 were gonna be the if it was third and six, 0:24:12.440 --> 0:24:14.120 and he knew you were gonna get seven at least 0:24:14.520 --> 0:24:15.240 every single time. 0:24:15.320 --> 0:24:15.639 How did that? 0:24:15.680 --> 0:24:18.520 Div just started with building trust like I did with Drew, 0:24:18.760 --> 0:24:21.040 had to build it with him as well. So and 0:24:21.119 --> 0:24:22.520 it had to happen in the middle of the season 0:24:22.600 --> 0:24:25.239 with Tom because of what happened with Drew. And then 0:24:25.320 --> 0:24:27.879 Tom became the starter, but he was familiar with me too, 0:24:27.920 --> 0:24:29.520 with a few refs that he did have with me 0:24:29.640 --> 0:24:32.239 in practice, you know, and he knew I could make 0:24:32.280 --> 0:24:36.200 plays and and and then you know, kind of became 0:24:36.280 --> 0:24:38.960 comfortable with me that way. But it also took place 0:24:39.000 --> 0:24:40.639 in the off season as well too. You know, we 0:24:40.800 --> 0:24:42.360 we were able to doing those times. We were able 0:24:42.400 --> 0:24:46.240 to work all all postseason sure, you know, and we 0:24:46.320 --> 0:24:48.159 could be in the bubble throwing, we could be in 0:24:48.240 --> 0:24:51.520 the creating stuff, you know what I'm saying, And let's 0:24:51.520 --> 0:24:53.840 see how this looks and see how that looks, you know. 0:24:54.000 --> 0:24:55.520 So and that was all that was. That was a 0:24:55.600 --> 0:24:58.480 plus for us, you know, to be able to do that. 0:24:58.600 --> 0:25:00.800 You know, Drew was there, Tom was there, so it 0:25:01.000 --> 0:25:03.960 just it worked out worked out pretty well for us, 0:25:04.040 --> 0:25:05.639 you know. And to be able to spend that kind 0:25:05.680 --> 0:25:07.800 of time together and get to know each other that way, 0:25:07.880 --> 0:25:10.600 and you know, they studied my body language and I 0:25:10.640 --> 0:25:12.080 would you know, they were tell me what they what 0:25:12.200 --> 0:25:14.760 they think and what they wanted. And then I knew, 0:25:15.200 --> 0:25:16.560 you know, for men not to do this, not to 0:25:16.640 --> 0:25:19.119 do that when this look and then make the right 0:25:19.160 --> 0:25:19.840 decision for him. 0:25:20.359 --> 0:25:22.280 You know, I think, you know, you mentioned Drew and 0:25:22.400 --> 0:25:25.240 Tom so and I think we have three Drew Bloodsoe 0:25:25.320 --> 0:25:27.119 fans sitting in here. So I don't want to I 0:25:27.160 --> 0:25:29.280 want to make sure I'm clear on that. But when 0:25:29.400 --> 0:25:32.280 Drew got hurt, ye and Tom steps into that huddle 0:25:32.359 --> 0:25:34.640 and and we well, let's say week. 0:25:34.520 --> 0:25:36.640 Three, his first start indie game. 0:25:36.880 --> 0:25:40.359 Yeah, well, what did you The team had struggled the 0:25:40.400 --> 0:25:43.440 first two weeks offensively three points against the Jets, a 0:25:43.600 --> 0:25:47.520 tough opener in Cincinnati that year. What was the difference? 0:25:47.640 --> 0:25:52.200 Why did it change when Tom came in? From your perspective, obviously. 0:25:52.359 --> 0:25:53.080 Well, it was a lot. 0:25:53.200 --> 0:25:55.879 There was a lot going on that particular time too 0:25:55.960 --> 0:25:59.560 as well, you know, and uh, you know, just just 0:25:59.680 --> 0:26:03.040 trying to find some footing and trying to find a rhythm, 0:26:03.920 --> 0:26:06.399 you know, and then you know, we had not eleven 0:26:06.520 --> 0:26:08.880 that happened and then you know, he got your quarterback 0:26:08.920 --> 0:26:10.720 thats almost died in your locker room, you know, and 0:26:10.800 --> 0:26:12.840 having to you know, get him to the hospital as 0:26:12.840 --> 0:26:15.800 soon as possible. And so there was a lot going 0:26:15.840 --> 0:26:17.919 on with that football team. Those room was about firing 0:26:17.960 --> 0:26:20.600 Belichick and all this stuff. You know, he was on 0:26:20.680 --> 0:26:23.119 the he was on the chopping blocks, and so it 0:26:23.200 --> 0:26:24.760 was a lot going on for our football team. So 0:26:24.800 --> 0:26:26.440 at that particular point, I think there was just a 0:26:26.560 --> 0:26:29.760 lot of behind the scenes meeting with you know, guys 0:26:29.840 --> 0:26:31.679 having you know, one on one meetings with each other 0:26:31.760 --> 0:26:34.080 and guys stepping up and seeing their peace with each 0:26:34.119 --> 0:26:36.359 other and we gotta do this and we gotta do that, so, 0:26:37.160 --> 0:26:39.080 you know, kind of soul searching as a football team. 0:26:39.359 --> 0:26:41.159 And then we just said, you know, we gotta we 0:26:41.240 --> 0:26:43.040 gotta come out. We just got to play better football 0:26:43.680 --> 0:26:46.359 and uh not turn the football over, you know. And 0:26:47.359 --> 0:26:50.240 you know, Tom came in and he showed a poise 0:26:50.320 --> 0:26:53.199 that you know, I don't think anybody really expected him 0:26:53.240 --> 0:26:56.680 to show when he came in. And then his leadership 0:26:56.760 --> 0:26:58.680 skills on the splay, not that he was lighting the 0:26:58.720 --> 0:27:01.359 place up, but is there some of his decision making, 0:27:01.480 --> 0:27:05.040 his confidence that he played with you know, it just 0:27:05.160 --> 0:27:06.880 kind of permitted through everybody else. 0:27:07.160 --> 0:27:10.200 I remember a conversation with you from back then and 0:27:10.960 --> 0:27:14.000 you probably remember it, but it was about the week 0:27:14.440 --> 0:27:17.840 or the day after the loss in Miami in September 0:27:17.920 --> 0:27:21.960 or early October where Tom got up in the team 0:27:22.040 --> 0:27:25.560 meeting and addressed the team about the preparation the week before. 0:27:26.200 --> 0:27:26.840 Do you remember that. 0:27:27.280 --> 0:27:29.760 I don't quite remember that one, but you know, but 0:27:29.880 --> 0:27:31.359 there was there was a lot of those types of 0:27:31.440 --> 0:27:34.720 things going on, you know, in the locker room and 0:27:34.840 --> 0:27:35.480 behind the scenes. 0:27:35.520 --> 0:27:38.840 You know that, you know, guys get hard for a 0:27:38.960 --> 0:27:41.320 second year guy who hadn't played a game to lead 0:27:42.640 --> 0:27:44.479 a group where they had a bunch of veterans too. 0:27:45.040 --> 0:27:48.280 I mean, yeah, yeah, that's a difficult thing to do 0:27:48.400 --> 0:27:50.560 for a lot of people, you know, but you know, 0:27:50.640 --> 0:27:52.439 you're the quarterback of the football team that you get 0:27:52.480 --> 0:27:55.240 you kind of get elevated to that spot and not 0:27:55.480 --> 0:27:57.840 everybody can step up to the plate like that and 0:27:58.680 --> 0:28:01.200 you know, speak their mind and and you know, and 0:28:01.359 --> 0:28:03.880 put that stamp on on that leadership spot on the team. 0:28:03.960 --> 0:28:06.040 And he was one of the guys that were able 0:28:06.080 --> 0:28:09.600 to do that. So a six round pick guy who 0:28:09.720 --> 0:28:12.040 was a backup to the backup, you know, so we 0:28:12.080 --> 0:28:13.720 didn't even know who the starting quarterback was going to 0:28:13.760 --> 0:28:17.520 be really as players, you know, because that it was 0:28:17.600 --> 0:28:19.960 it was a Damian Hewett. Yeah, you know, so that 0:28:20.160 --> 0:28:21.600 was that we thought. I mean, it was the second 0:28:21.640 --> 0:28:23.639 team back, the second team, second strand quarterback, you know. 0:28:23.720 --> 0:28:26.920 So we had the idea, you know, so we named 0:28:27.000 --> 0:28:30.200 Tom and that was it, and that maybe as players, 0:28:30.240 --> 0:28:32.320 you just put your out you keep playing, you know, 0:28:32.560 --> 0:28:33.200 and maybe that's. 0:28:33.119 --> 0:28:36.080 How it played out in that year where you were 0:28:36.119 --> 0:28:38.640 saying a lot of things going on, you know, you 0:28:39.000 --> 0:28:41.040 haven't really been able to find yourself. And when Bill 0:28:41.160 --> 0:28:44.040 finally said, hey, look here's what we're doing. Tom's a quarterback. 0:28:44.080 --> 0:28:46.200 I know Drew's back, but we're going with Tom. Did 0:28:46.280 --> 0:28:48.760 that maybe just free everybody? Okay, now we know who 0:28:48.840 --> 0:28:51.080 it is, let's go. So you didn't you didn't lose 0:28:51.120 --> 0:28:51.720 from that point. 0:28:51.600 --> 0:28:53.680 Yeah, you know. And and as players say, you just 0:28:53.800 --> 0:28:54.800 you just you just keep playing. 0:28:54.840 --> 0:28:56.280 And that's one of the things that Bill talked about, 0:28:56.320 --> 0:28:59.280 you know, you guys just worry about playing and we'll 0:28:59.320 --> 0:29:02.040 make all the decisions out there. You just do your job, 0:29:02.520 --> 0:29:05.360 you know, And uh, that's what we did. And we 0:29:05.480 --> 0:29:08.880 just didn't really pay a lot of attention to, you 0:29:08.960 --> 0:29:10.880 know what else, all the stuff that was going outside 0:29:10.880 --> 0:29:13.239 of here, and you know about you know, who's going 0:29:13.280 --> 0:29:16.000 to play, who's not going to play, and that type 0:29:16.000 --> 0:29:17.760 of stuff, and then throughout the course of the season, 0:29:18.400 --> 0:29:20.000 just staying focused. And I'll tell you what, then, the 0:29:20.000 --> 0:29:23.720 way Drew blesseolhandled the situation was admiral Wood itself. 0:29:24.360 --> 0:29:27.440 You know, for sure, he allowed us to stay focused 0:29:27.600 --> 0:29:28.120 to do our. 0:29:28.120 --> 0:29:31.520 Job instead of trying to go to this guy's locker 0:29:31.560 --> 0:29:33.000 and say, man, what do you think about them doing 0:29:33.040 --> 0:29:35.600 this to me? He didn't do any of that stuff. Man. 0:29:35.640 --> 0:29:38.000 He just kept encouraging Tom and rooting them all and 0:29:38.360 --> 0:29:38.600 had to. 0:29:38.600 --> 0:29:41.680 Help the rest of his team, right, Yeah, Troy, when 0:29:41.680 --> 0:29:44.160 you're talking with your kids, and maybe your kids are 0:29:44.160 --> 0:29:46.000 gonna ask you a question, like dad, you know, was 0:29:46.040 --> 0:29:48.239 your favorite play in your career? You know, was there 0:29:48.320 --> 0:29:50.480 something that you look back and say, you know, And 0:29:50.600 --> 0:29:52.360 so I was going to focus in on the AHTY 0:29:52.440 --> 0:29:55.160 Championship game in Pittsburgh. You know, would you prefer the 0:29:55.240 --> 0:29:59.520 punt return over you know, the scoop in the later roal? 0:29:59.680 --> 0:30:01.600 Do you have a play where you look back and go, boy, 0:30:01.600 --> 0:30:02.520 if I had to pick one. 0:30:03.160 --> 0:30:04.920 This is the play that I remember, uh. 0:30:05.440 --> 0:30:07.600 Me, not me, not being a Pittsburgh fan as a kid. 0:30:08.000 --> 0:30:10.120 Any play I meet against Pittsburgh is my greatest. 0:30:10.920 --> 0:30:14.400 So but uh so then you love the exter Championship 0:30:14.440 --> 0:30:15.440 an championship game. 0:30:15.520 --> 0:30:16.080 Was it was? It was? 0:30:16.160 --> 0:30:17.240 It was great, you know. 0:30:17.400 --> 0:30:19.600 So I mean, uh, picking the field go up and 0:30:19.680 --> 0:30:22.320 ladling it backwards to returning the punt for a touchdown. 0:30:23.640 --> 0:30:26.760 After after a sixty plus yard punk was nullified by 0:30:26.800 --> 0:30:27.280 a penalty. 0:30:27.520 --> 0:30:28.760 Yes, that was. It was a big time. 0:30:28.840 --> 0:30:31.000 But I screwed that up to in the first punt 0:30:31.000 --> 0:30:32.520 because I didn't catch the ball on the sideline. I 0:30:32.520 --> 0:30:34.880 thought it was going to bounds and I think that 0:30:35.240 --> 0:30:37.040 hit that far from the sideline and then rolled like 0:30:37.120 --> 0:30:39.200 twenty yards down to say, you gotta be kidding me. 0:30:39.320 --> 0:30:43.440 Then Bills gonna cust me out on this, you know, 0:30:43.680 --> 0:30:45.800 And then I saw a flag. I was like, whoo man, 0:30:46.640 --> 0:30:48.800 But uh, you know, so they put they put the 0:30:48.840 --> 0:30:51.040 ball in the wrong hash right, and he was trying 0:30:51.040 --> 0:30:52.800 to get it over there and he screwed up the punting. 0:30:52.920 --> 0:30:54.479 And you know what I remember about that right too, 0:30:54.800 --> 0:30:58.280 is they the uh the vice guys had the gunner 0:30:58.480 --> 0:30:59.960 blocked all the way back into the end zone. 0:31:00.000 --> 0:31:00.640 That's what happens. 0:31:01.040 --> 0:31:02.840 That's what happens when you got a punt again, those 0:31:02.880 --> 0:31:04.920 guys are tired or he brings somebody off the sideline 0:31:04.920 --> 0:31:06.960 who's not as good as the first guy. So you 0:31:06.960 --> 0:31:08.840 don't want to get penalties on the punt team. So 0:31:09.040 --> 0:31:11.400 and uh so that's what happened on that one man. 0:31:11.440 --> 0:31:12.760 They had them he was in then Zon when I 0:31:12.800 --> 0:31:17.600 got to them, Erry it was Lawyer malloy was Tyl 0:31:17.800 --> 0:31:19.920 Tyler had one guy picked up too somewhere in there. 0:31:19.960 --> 0:31:22.000 So, yeah, they did a good job. 0:31:22.560 --> 0:31:24.960 Where's the catch against the Rims in the Super Bowl? 0:31:25.040 --> 0:31:26.440 Where do you? Where do you rank that? 0:31:26.800 --> 0:31:28.080 Do you? That was? That was? 0:31:28.240 --> 0:31:31.480 That was high up there too, you know, put us 0:31:31.520 --> 0:31:34.080 in the range for a field goal and Wiggas gave 0:31:34.160 --> 0:31:36.560 us a few few extra yards to make sure, you know. 0:31:36.720 --> 0:31:38.760 So that's just it was just a lot of plays 0:31:38.840 --> 0:31:41.080 I think, uh a lot of the players that I 0:31:41.200 --> 0:31:43.080 was able to share with my teammates, you know, like 0:31:43.200 --> 0:31:44.880 you know, things like the stripping the ball from Marlin 0:31:45.000 --> 0:31:48.680 McCree in San Diego that year. You know, I like 0:31:48.760 --> 0:31:51.040 plays like more players like that and special teams plays 0:31:51.840 --> 0:31:55.000 you know that kind of helped us get into position 0:31:55.080 --> 0:31:57.400 and win win a football game, you know, like I said, 0:31:57.440 --> 0:31:59.800 like the block kick in Pittsburgh was huge, you know, 0:32:00.880 --> 0:32:03.400 Brandon Mitchell getting his calls up there and betting that 0:32:03.520 --> 0:32:06.880 thing down and then doing what we practiced, you know 0:32:07.560 --> 0:32:10.120 for years it was just scooping and scoring with the 0:32:10.160 --> 0:32:12.440 big guys on the field that can't catch you, you know, 0:32:12.520 --> 0:32:14.200 scooping and scoring. I was scooped it up and I 0:32:14.200 --> 0:32:16.600 couldn't score, so A looted it back to uh Antoine 0:32:16.640 --> 0:32:19.040 Harris right there, you know so, and he took it 0:32:19.120 --> 0:32:20.760 in for the score. So it just plays like that. 0:32:20.960 --> 0:32:23.800 There's a lot of team team coordination in that in 0:32:23.880 --> 0:32:25.680 that particular play, you know so. 0:32:26.480 --> 0:32:29.160 And then okay, in your last Super Bowl Championship year, 0:32:29.600 --> 0:32:31.520 you obviously moved to the other side of the football. 0:32:32.920 --> 0:32:35.560 Can you elaborate for us how that went down? And Bill, 0:32:35.800 --> 0:32:37.920 if I know, Billy probably referenced that you played defense 0:32:37.960 --> 0:32:39.040 at Marshall, But. 0:32:39.800 --> 0:32:40.200 Did he know. 0:32:41.360 --> 0:32:43.160 I don't think he knew that. So I don't think 0:32:43.200 --> 0:32:45.080 he at that particular time. I don't think he knew that. 0:32:45.120 --> 0:32:45.640 I knew that. 0:32:46.080 --> 0:32:48.080 I mean I've heard him talk about you know, he 0:32:48.200 --> 0:32:50.520 thought you could match routes and you had, you know, 0:32:50.640 --> 0:32:52.560 being in the slot and having played that position. 0:32:53.040 --> 0:32:55.000 But how did it happen specifically for you? 0:32:55.200 --> 0:32:57.880 Like when they came to you, were you like what? 0:32:59.680 --> 0:33:01.920 Well, at first I didn't know how to take it was. 0:33:02.120 --> 0:33:03.480 It was Eric Mangini that came. 0:33:03.640 --> 0:33:05.000 I was sitting in front of my lock of minding 0:33:05.040 --> 0:33:07.760 my own business, getting ready for a training camp practice, 0:33:08.480 --> 0:33:10.600 you know, and he comes in with this little highlight, 0:33:10.760 --> 0:33:12.880 so this is covered two, you got cover three whatever 0:33:12.880 --> 0:33:16.600 it is, you know, and uh, are you playing defense today? 0:33:17.000 --> 0:33:18.680 You know you're doing one on one. You're doing one 0:33:18.720 --> 0:33:22.240 on ones and all this stuff. So and uh, I'm 0:33:22.320 --> 0:33:27.120 like looked at him like seriously. He was like yeah, seriously. 0:33:27.320 --> 0:33:30.360 And I was just like like, all right, Dan, I 0:33:30.480 --> 0:33:32.840 give you the best that I got. So that's all 0:33:32.880 --> 0:33:36.040 I said to him. So I continued to get dressed 0:33:36.080 --> 0:33:36.960 and metim on the. 0:33:37.000 --> 0:33:41.200 Field and showing up. I was doing one on ones 0:33:41.640 --> 0:33:44.120 and and you know all the little drills they do 0:33:44.200 --> 0:33:44.920 to get warmed up. 0:33:45.400 --> 0:33:47.600 It wasn't a discussion about it. You were just like, 0:33:47.680 --> 0:33:49.360 here's what you're doing, and you said, okay, great. 0:33:49.920 --> 0:33:50.120 Yeah. 0:33:50.240 --> 0:33:52.280 I was like yeah, did you think, what do you mean, 0:33:52.280 --> 0:33:53.600 I'm not playing my receiver anymore? 0:33:53.840 --> 0:33:55.560 I give you the best that I got. I mean, 0:33:55.960 --> 0:33:56.680 I wasn't. I wasn't. 0:33:56.720 --> 0:33:58.520 I wasn't afraid of that. I was just like you know, 0:33:58.880 --> 0:34:00.600 I mean, we're at that time, you know, it was 0:34:00.720 --> 0:34:02.479 it was later in my career. We had we had 0:34:02.600 --> 0:34:05.720 good receivers on the team. We had David David Gibbons, 0:34:05.840 --> 0:34:09.000 we had d Branch I think David pat was still there, 0:34:09.320 --> 0:34:09.480 you know. 0:34:09.640 --> 0:34:12.520 So we had Bethel Johnson was here. 0:34:12.840 --> 0:34:15.200 So we had some some talent on the football team 0:34:15.280 --> 0:34:18.840 that would allow to give us some flexibility to go 0:34:18.960 --> 0:34:21.040 over and play on that side of that ball, just 0:34:21.080 --> 0:34:22.560 at least at least for practice anyway. 0:34:22.640 --> 0:34:25.600 So so yeah, did you ever think, well, did you 0:34:25.680 --> 0:34:28.520 ever think when you're practicing in training camp, like you know, 0:34:28.800 --> 0:34:30.720 I get it. This is an emergency situation. 0:34:30.840 --> 0:34:33.120 They got to see what. I don't know what. I 0:34:33.200 --> 0:34:34.279 had no idea what the playing was. 0:34:34.360 --> 0:34:36.279 But this will never happen, Like I'm never I'm not 0:34:36.320 --> 0:34:37.560 going to play in the game. 0:34:39.880 --> 0:34:40.319 Super Bowl. 0:34:40.760 --> 0:34:43.600 We still we still had ten leven receivers on the roster. 0:34:44.640 --> 0:34:46.640 It wasn't like this was late in training camp or something. 0:34:46.680 --> 0:34:49.080 You know, this was like right in the heart heart 0:34:49.120 --> 0:34:54.000 of camp so and so I didn't know the roster 0:34:54.120 --> 0:34:56.480 wasn't paired down yet, so I had no idea what 0:34:56.680 --> 0:34:59.239 was what was on Bill's mind, you know what he 0:34:59.360 --> 0:35:01.160 was thinking at that particular time. 0:35:01.239 --> 0:35:02.759 So the more you can do, the more you can do, 0:35:03.440 --> 0:35:03.880 The more. 0:35:03.719 --> 0:35:04.960 You can do, the more you can do. But it 0:35:05.040 --> 0:35:06.719 wasn't pretty. I mean, I'm telling you what at the 0:35:06.760 --> 0:35:10.920 first that first practice, man, so So. 0:35:11.040 --> 0:35:15.120 Did you end up talking trashed with Drew Bledsoe after 0:35:15.160 --> 0:35:16.440 you after you intercepted him. 0:35:18.480 --> 0:35:20.200 I didn't. I didn't really talk any trash. 0:35:21.840 --> 0:35:22.040 It was. 0:35:22.200 --> 0:35:24.400 It was one of those things where I just, uh, 0:35:26.600 --> 0:35:29.000 it was like just just a sweet moment and I 0:35:29.160 --> 0:35:31.800 was celebrating and jumping in Teddy's arm, you know that stuff, 0:35:31.840 --> 0:35:34.879 and like so happy I got a pick, and then 0:35:35.200 --> 0:35:37.400 it set in and I just picked off Drew Bledsoe, 0:35:38.600 --> 0:35:40.880 you know, and I was like, oh, man, so, how 0:35:40.920 --> 0:35:43.040 do I how do I handle. 0:35:42.880 --> 0:35:45.280 This one after the game? You know, and all that stuff. 0:35:45.320 --> 0:35:48.360 So it was like, you know, and I just I 0:35:48.400 --> 0:35:50.520 didn't really feel bad, but I just like felt like 0:35:50.640 --> 0:35:52.160 this is just too awkward. 0:35:52.239 --> 0:35:52.359 Man. 0:35:52.440 --> 0:35:55.320 Well in the Hall of Fame, coach does the breakdowns 0:35:55.360 --> 0:35:57.320 the illustrated we call it, and that's one of the 0:35:57.360 --> 0:35:58.000 plays he did. 0:35:58.280 --> 0:35:59.400 And I love his line at the end. 0:36:00.000 --> 0:36:02.240 I tried caught a lot of passes from Drew blood 0:36:02.239 --> 0:36:04.759 Cell over the years, and he got this one on 0:36:04.840 --> 0:36:05.880 defense or something like that. 0:36:07.880 --> 0:36:10.319 I mean, it was going back a couple of weeks though, 0:36:10.560 --> 0:36:13.200 you know, this was before the Buffalo game when I 0:36:13.239 --> 0:36:15.560 think it's a sante that went down in Saint Louis 0:36:15.640 --> 0:36:18.440 and you guys are playing the Rams and that's your 0:36:18.480 --> 0:36:21.120 first time playing. Like, all of a sudden, somebody's I 0:36:21.120 --> 0:36:22.680 don't know if it's Eric, I don't know who was saying, 0:36:22.680 --> 0:36:24.600 all right, Troy, you're up, Like what was going through 0:36:24.600 --> 0:36:24.919 your mind? 0:36:24.960 --> 0:36:27.719 Then? Like, oh, I'm actually going in the game. 0:36:27.800 --> 0:36:29.920 I'm at the miked up audio from the Rams sideline. 0:36:30.160 --> 0:36:31.640 They got Troy Brown in there. 0:36:31.800 --> 0:36:33.920 Right, I'm telling you what. 0:36:34.880 --> 0:36:36.439 And I didn't know all that, like you know, Bill, 0:36:36.560 --> 0:36:38.080 like they go through all this stuff, you know, and 0:36:38.680 --> 0:36:40.520 found out later that, you know, he was hoping that 0:36:40.920 --> 0:36:43.120 at least they would get to the second half, the 0:36:43.200 --> 0:36:44.920 third fourth quarter or so before I had to go 0:36:45.000 --> 0:36:48.160 in and play. It was two plays, two plays into 0:36:48.200 --> 0:36:52.799 the game, right, and it was like all right, Joy, 0:36:52.920 --> 0:36:56.320 you gotta you gotta go in So and it was 0:36:56.400 --> 0:36:58.520 against the Rams of all, absolutely right, you know, and 0:36:58.600 --> 0:37:00.520 they was still a very talented foot ball team. They 0:37:00.520 --> 0:37:01.800 didn't have Kirk, but they had. 0:37:02.280 --> 0:37:04.640 You know, it was aulder Mark Bulger. 0:37:06.000 --> 0:37:08.960 He didn't have the arm strength because I got beat 0:37:09.040 --> 0:37:10.799 one time pretty bad, you know, and he couldn't get 0:37:10.840 --> 0:37:13.520 the ball out there to him. But uh, you know 0:37:13.760 --> 0:37:18.120 it was uh touchdown. Even even the backs were good 0:37:18.160 --> 0:37:20.600 pass catches. Marshall Faulk was, you know, right. So they 0:37:20.680 --> 0:37:22.759 had across the board, you know, four or five guys 0:37:22.800 --> 0:37:24.239 that can come in and catch passes for him. 0:37:24.239 --> 0:37:26.080 And in the back it was really good too. 0:37:26.680 --> 0:37:29.120 So yeah, there was a lot of pressure, scared situation 0:37:29.239 --> 0:37:31.279 to be in in that particular time, you know, as 0:37:31.320 --> 0:37:34.520 a guy that just hadn't played defense in ten years, eleven. 0:37:34.239 --> 0:37:37.840 Years, whatever whatever it was, you know, and uh, amazing, 0:37:38.080 --> 0:37:38.239 you know. 0:37:38.480 --> 0:37:42.120 So we got that game, you know, unscathed, and you 0:37:42.320 --> 0:37:44.359 just kind of start relaxing after that and just like, hey, 0:37:44.400 --> 0:37:45.600 if I gotta play, I gotta play. 0:37:45.840 --> 0:37:47.800 That is what it is, is that kind of the attitude. 0:37:47.800 --> 0:37:50.200 And and you touch upon him maybe a second earlier, 0:37:50.280 --> 0:37:52.960 with Brian. But is that maybe the attitude of those 0:37:53.000 --> 0:37:57.160 Patriot teams back then, Troy, whatever it takes, got to. 0:37:57.120 --> 0:38:00.279 Play tight end. You're playing tight end, Richard Seymour, you're 0:38:00.280 --> 0:38:01.120 blocking it full back. 0:38:01.200 --> 0:38:03.520 Whatever you have to do, whatever it takes. Man, guys 0:38:03.600 --> 0:38:07.120 just played. I know, for me, it was just I 0:38:07.239 --> 0:38:09.400 just want to play football. You know, I don't care 0:38:09.400 --> 0:38:10.960 if you call me a wide receiver, you called me 0:38:11.040 --> 0:38:14.440 a slot wide receiver, you called me an outside wide. 0:38:14.239 --> 0:38:16.839 Receiver, you called me a punt returner. I just wanted 0:38:16.880 --> 0:38:19.120 to play ball, you know. And that was it, you know. 0:38:19.320 --> 0:38:23.120 So you you know, and I signed up you know whatever, 0:38:23.160 --> 0:38:25.560 you sign me up as you need me to do, 0:38:25.640 --> 0:38:28.000 you need me to play, That's that's what I do. 0:38:28.600 --> 0:38:30.040 Okay, help my team in the games. 0:38:30.320 --> 0:38:32.840 So would you play the last play in Miami differently 0:38:33.360 --> 0:38:35.800 that year when that was the game that Brady was 0:38:35.880 --> 0:38:38.400 falling down and threw an interception at the end and 0:38:38.480 --> 0:38:42.320 they were two and twelve and I think they running 0:38:42.360 --> 0:38:42.640 that game. 0:38:42.760 --> 0:38:44.600 Yeah, they scored at the last I. 0:38:44.560 --> 0:38:47.759 Think different I would look back for the ball. I 0:38:47.800 --> 0:38:51.080 would look back for it, you know. So as and 0:38:51.440 --> 0:38:52.920 as I learned, you know, as the guys told me. 0:38:53.000 --> 0:38:54.840 It happens to all of us. You got to be 0:38:54.880 --> 0:38:57.719 a dB. Now you got to forget quickly. And that's 0:38:57.760 --> 0:39:00.800 what I did. So forgot quickly. And I remember hearing 0:39:00.800 --> 0:39:02.200 all this stuff over. They got a week spot in 0:39:02.200 --> 0:39:03.680 the defense. They got a week spot in the defense, 0:39:04.320 --> 0:39:06.319 you know, and it's like Bill kept me out there. 0:39:07.000 --> 0:39:07.560 So it is. 0:39:08.160 --> 0:39:09.560 But you know, but that happens, dB. 0:39:10.600 --> 0:39:12.800 And you covered Terrell Owens in the Super Bowl on 0:39:12.880 --> 0:39:13.320 some plays. 0:39:13.360 --> 0:39:16.040 I mean, we're not talking about like they probably said, oh, 0:39:16.040 --> 0:39:17.960 we're gonna get t o on Troy if we can, 0:39:18.640 --> 0:39:21.080 and you know he had some big plays in that game, 0:39:21.160 --> 0:39:21.640 but not on you. 0:39:22.120 --> 0:39:25.160 Yeah, well not on me. Neither did another knuckle had 0:39:25.200 --> 0:39:25.720 there either. 0:39:25.600 --> 0:39:27.920 Day Mitchell, Freddy Mitchell. 0:39:27.719 --> 0:39:31.000 Fred x yeahd Mitchell man. 0:39:31.040 --> 0:39:34.080 He was Bill Belichick after the game, and Sports Illustrated 0:39:34.239 --> 0:39:36.280 quoted saying, Freddie Mitchell stinks. 0:39:37.000 --> 0:39:38.880 I don't think you haven't played another game in the NFL. 0:39:40.160 --> 0:39:41.120 I don't think so either. 0:39:42.520 --> 0:39:42.719 Troy. 0:39:42.760 --> 0:39:45.319 We're talking about, you know, the road to get where 0:39:45.360 --> 0:39:47.920 you got and then the six and people see all 0:39:47.960 --> 0:39:49.799 the success that you had. Was there ever a time? 0:39:50.400 --> 0:39:53.040 You know, after being cut and well what can I do? 0:39:53.280 --> 0:39:55.640 And now it's a new coach, and well now it's 0:39:55.640 --> 0:39:58.360 a new administration. Was there ever a time were you 0:39:59.080 --> 0:40:01.480 allowed yourself to feel comfortable. 0:40:01.200 --> 0:40:04.799 Like, nope, I made the team, not to that point, 0:40:05.160 --> 0:40:05.680 not after that. 0:40:06.360 --> 0:40:08.320 So and that always drove you. 0:40:08.480 --> 0:40:10.640 It was always a feeling of looking around the corner, 0:40:11.880 --> 0:40:14.480 especially in the old stadium, and looking around the corner 0:40:14.480 --> 0:40:15.480 to see western your locker. 0:40:16.400 --> 0:40:17.640 I tell people that all the time. 0:40:18.680 --> 0:40:22.680 So it just it becomes it became like second nature 0:40:23.280 --> 0:40:27.040 to me to always check before I walk completely into 0:40:27.120 --> 0:40:27.439 the room. 0:40:27.640 --> 0:40:29.279 Don't you think that keeps you on your toes? 0:40:29.280 --> 0:40:31.479 I mean I tell my kids, I tell my kids' 0:40:31.480 --> 0:40:34.719 stories like that, like like, don't ever think you've got it, Like, 0:40:34.840 --> 0:40:37.040 even when you think you got it, your head better 0:40:37.120 --> 0:40:38.120 be on a shwivel, man. 0:40:38.200 --> 0:40:38.640 No doubt. 0:40:38.760 --> 0:40:42.279 It's it's not a not a great feeling to have 0:40:42.560 --> 0:40:47.400 something that you worked hard for and then you lose it, 0:40:48.560 --> 0:40:51.040 you get fired from it. It's not a great feeling. 0:40:51.920 --> 0:40:54.520 And uh, and it's something that it was a feeling 0:40:54.560 --> 0:40:56.919 I never wanted to feel again. Of course I did 0:40:57.200 --> 0:41:00.400 at some point, but it wasn't gonna be because I 0:41:00.520 --> 0:41:02.759 had the kind of off season that I had. I 0:41:02.840 --> 0:41:05.960 didn't I felt comfortable because I felt comfortable. 0:41:05.560 --> 0:41:06.880 After my first year. I'd made it. 0:41:07.520 --> 0:41:09.600 I was an NFL player, I was an eighth round pick, 0:41:09.719 --> 0:41:15.960 number one ninety eight. I was comfortable with being able 0:41:16.040 --> 0:41:18.399 to put that on my resume at that particular time. 0:41:19.160 --> 0:41:22.560 You know, I'm an NFL player, and that was I 0:41:22.719 --> 0:41:25.840 was good with that, you know, so you you and 0:41:25.920 --> 0:41:27.799 as a young player, I was like, I tell all 0:41:27.840 --> 0:41:29.560 of these young guys too when they come in here. Now, 0:41:29.600 --> 0:41:34.320 I was like, don't be that guy. And then I 0:41:34.440 --> 0:41:37.440 finished up the story with that I was that guy that, 0:41:38.239 --> 0:41:42.239 you know. I went back to Marshall. I partied, you know, 0:41:42.400 --> 0:41:46.000 I drank, you know, I came in not particularly in 0:41:46.120 --> 0:41:48.239 the best shape that I should have. 0:41:48.280 --> 0:41:52.560 Been in, and it cost me so and I'm like, 0:41:52.640 --> 0:41:53.479 don't be that guy. 0:41:54.160 --> 0:41:56.080 Don't be that guy, because I was, you know, not 0:41:56.160 --> 0:41:57.640 that I didn't go out or anything when I was 0:41:57.680 --> 0:42:01.080 at Marshall, but I was not a big drinker, you know, 0:42:01.160 --> 0:42:02.960 and I wasn't all those things, you know, and I 0:42:03.120 --> 0:42:06.120 wasn't you know, partying, but you know, that's what I 0:42:06.520 --> 0:42:08.520 kind of turned into for a little while, you know, 0:42:08.640 --> 0:42:09.120 because I. 0:42:09.400 --> 0:42:12.239 Had made it, you know, so i'd made it. You 0:42:12.320 --> 0:42:14.120 know a big time. My dream is complete. 0:42:14.239 --> 0:42:17.080 I'm in the NFL, and you know, and I just 0:42:17.280 --> 0:42:21.640 never wanted to feel that way ever again, and feeling 0:42:21.800 --> 0:42:23.439 like not that they took it from me, but I gave. 0:42:23.360 --> 0:42:27.839 It away, you know so well, Troy. Yeah, I talked 0:42:27.880 --> 0:42:28.320 to kids. 0:42:28.800 --> 0:42:31.040 We do a lot of virtual field trips right now, especially, 0:42:31.120 --> 0:42:33.319 and so I'll get a Q and A from the kids, 0:42:33.360 --> 0:42:35.640 and they'll say, and never really ask who's your favorite player? 0:42:36.719 --> 0:42:39.880 And I always bring you up. And I always quote 0:42:40.040 --> 0:42:42.879 that that because you said that to me years ago. 0:42:43.440 --> 0:42:45.359 He said, I just come in every day and make 0:42:45.400 --> 0:42:47.320 sure my stuff is still in my locker. And I 0:42:47.520 --> 0:42:50.120 use that example with the kids because I say, this 0:42:50.280 --> 0:42:51.520 guy never took a. 0:42:51.600 --> 0:42:52.400 Day in the NFL. 0:42:52.520 --> 0:42:55.000 For granted, he caught one hundred and one balls and 0:42:55.200 --> 0:42:59.120 still knew that job security was an issue and worked 0:42:59.440 --> 0:43:00.759 every day it was his last. 0:43:00.920 --> 0:43:02.000 And I use that as an example. 0:43:02.040 --> 0:43:03.479 So I think it's an inspiring story. 0:43:03.680 --> 0:43:05.320 Yeah, no doubt, man, it is. 0:43:06.239 --> 0:43:07.839 It is the one thing you should ever ever get 0:43:07.880 --> 0:43:10.719 comfortable with, no matter what you do, you know, no 0:43:10.840 --> 0:43:13.000 matter how great a season you had or how great 0:43:13.480 --> 0:43:15.600 you know. And one thing Parcels always says, you're You're 0:43:15.640 --> 0:43:19.879 only good as the last game, you know so, and uh, 0:43:20.120 --> 0:43:23.759 all your last play and whatever that was, that's what 0:43:23.800 --> 0:43:26.200 they're gonna remember you by, you know so, and uh 0:43:26.280 --> 0:43:28.400 and it was it was a it was a it 0:43:28.520 --> 0:43:30.160 was a great quote from him and it and it 0:43:30.280 --> 0:43:31.080 stays two. 0:43:31.040 --> 0:43:31.520 To this day. 0:43:32.200 --> 0:43:35.240 Last one for me, then, Troy would be is that message? 0:43:36.120 --> 0:43:40.040 Can you see that that message would resonate with a 0:43:40.160 --> 0:43:43.759 Jacobe Myers or with a Gunner ro Chefsky somebody like that, 0:43:43.880 --> 0:43:46.680 who they're not a first round pick. You know, there's 0:43:46.719 --> 0:43:47.640 not a lot of money. 0:43:47.400 --> 0:43:47.960 Attached to it. 0:43:48.480 --> 0:43:52.000 But if you do work, if you do what these 0:43:52.080 --> 0:43:54.520 coaches are trying to tell you to do, you know, 0:43:55.000 --> 0:43:57.000 they don't care where you were drafted, they don't care 0:43:57.080 --> 0:43:59.600 how you got in the door. There's an opportunity here 0:43:59.800 --> 0:44:02.880 and maybe, like what I did, is it just just 0:44:03.280 --> 0:44:05.040 don't ever take anything for granted. Do you think that 0:44:05.160 --> 0:44:07.200 that can work with the younger player today. 0:44:07.440 --> 0:44:08.479 Well, no doubt. 0:44:08.520 --> 0:44:12.040 I mean I think there's still you know, still the 0:44:12.160 --> 0:44:15.479 same type of people you have back then too, because 0:44:15.520 --> 0:44:18.040 there's some people that hurt it then and there's some 0:44:18.120 --> 0:44:19.920 people that hear it now. There were some people who 0:44:19.960 --> 0:44:22.520 didn't hear it then, and there's some people that don't 0:44:22.560 --> 0:44:23.080 hear it now. 0:44:23.640 --> 0:44:23.840 You know. 0:44:24.600 --> 0:44:27.120 And the ones who get it and get it the 0:44:27.239 --> 0:44:30.040 fastest are the ones who are gonna survive the longest 0:44:30.080 --> 0:44:32.879 in this league, you know. And that's just the way 0:44:32.920 --> 0:44:36.080 it is, you know what I'm saying. So it could 0:44:36.080 --> 0:44:37.759 be here, it could be anywhere, you know, so but 0:44:38.080 --> 0:44:41.120 those are the ones that are gonna have a decent 0:44:41.200 --> 0:44:43.560 career in this league. Is the ones who get it 0:44:43.600 --> 0:44:47.960 the fastest. So and if you if few of those 0:44:48.040 --> 0:44:52.480 guys that just kind of slap it out there on 0:44:52.600 --> 0:44:55.279 a regular basis, you know, and it's gonna catch up 0:44:55.320 --> 0:44:57.359 to you. It's gonna catch up to you sooner or later. 0:44:58.080 --> 0:45:01.480 And then you see all the guys the Troy Brown's 0:45:01.480 --> 0:45:05.200 out of Wes Welkers, out of Danny A. Mondola's out 0:45:05.239 --> 0:45:08.960 of you know, all those guys that a catch up 0:45:09.000 --> 0:45:11.880 to you in a heartbeating this league. So, you know, 0:45:11.920 --> 0:45:13.440 and that's just the way it goes, you know, Because 0:45:14.360 --> 0:45:19.880 what's more important to a coach is he needs good players. 0:45:20.560 --> 0:45:24.279 But that coach too needs job security too, so so 0:45:24.480 --> 0:45:26.640 he's gotta he's gotta put some good players on the field, 0:45:27.440 --> 0:45:30.200 you know, to keep his job. That's an eighth round pick, 0:45:30.400 --> 0:45:33.000 that's a free agent, that's not playing somebody else. And 0:45:33.040 --> 0:45:33.800 that's just the way it is. 0:45:34.120 --> 0:45:37.759 My last question, Man asked you about favorite plays. Is 0:45:37.800 --> 0:45:40.839 it just something in general that when you look back 0:45:40.920 --> 0:45:42.680 on your career that you're most proud of. 0:45:45.400 --> 0:45:46.200 Plays I play? 0:45:46.600 --> 0:45:47.799 No, No, he asked you about the play. 0:45:47.880 --> 0:45:49.920 I'm just saying just in general, like if you look back, 0:45:50.239 --> 0:45:53.000 like maybe your legacy or what, what are you most 0:45:53.040 --> 0:45:55.840 proud of that you accomplished as a player. 0:45:57.440 --> 0:46:01.240 Oh, Man, as a lot, a lot to be thankful 0:46:01.280 --> 0:46:06.000 for and and be grateful for that happened throughout the 0:46:06.080 --> 0:46:06.880 course of my career. 0:46:07.440 --> 0:46:08.560 Getting cut was one of them. 0:46:08.760 --> 0:46:12.000 Was I'm thankful for that moment, you know where that 0:46:12.360 --> 0:46:16.319 opened my eyes to a lot of stuff, you know, uh, 0:46:18.280 --> 0:46:23.480 being able to play defense and and play that important role. 0:46:24.320 --> 0:46:28.480 And and not because it was something to show off, 0:46:28.800 --> 0:46:31.239 you know, that you could do to you know, you know, 0:46:31.480 --> 0:46:34.160 kind of slap it out there, say an offensive guy 0:46:34.200 --> 0:46:37.279 playing defense. You know, it was just we needed we 0:46:37.400 --> 0:46:39.319 needed somebody to go in and play, you know, your 0:46:39.360 --> 0:46:42.320 football team, a football team needed me, you know, and 0:46:42.920 --> 0:46:45.480 was able to step up and then be able to 0:46:45.520 --> 0:46:47.560 hold your own. I had a lot of support, you know, 0:46:47.680 --> 0:46:49.040 from a lot of guys on that side of the 0:46:49.080 --> 0:46:51.799 ball when I was doing it, so uh, but being 0:46:51.800 --> 0:46:53.640 able to step in and do that, you know, I 0:46:53.880 --> 0:46:56.600 sometimes I always just feel like I saved somebody's jobs. 0:46:57.080 --> 0:46:59.040 Somebody didn't need to get cut for me to go 0:46:59.200 --> 0:47:00.759 do that, for them to bring and somebody else. 0:47:01.480 --> 0:47:01.640 You know. 0:47:01.840 --> 0:47:05.200 So those kinds of moments like that, you know, things 0:47:05.200 --> 0:47:07.800 that I'm kind of the most proud of and obviously 0:47:07.920 --> 0:47:12.320 being able to you know, win three super Bowls and 0:47:12.440 --> 0:47:15.319 those moments, Uh, those are those are great moments, man, 0:47:15.360 --> 0:47:19.000 I always think about and that I'm very proud of that, 0:47:19.239 --> 0:47:22.480 uh and things that we were able to accomplish, you 0:47:22.560 --> 0:47:27.080 know as a football team. So and uh So I 0:47:27.520 --> 0:47:30.279 don't know if that's is that enough things right there? 0:47:31.960 --> 0:47:34.600 Those are things finish it with supporting to me? 0:47:34.719 --> 0:47:37.240 So yeah, finish it with a red jacket. 0:47:37.320 --> 0:47:39.160 I mean I finished it with a red jacket, you know. 0:47:39.320 --> 0:47:42.040 Thank you, you know to the fans and people that 0:47:42.200 --> 0:47:44.759 voted out there and what they're kind of one hundred 0:47:44.760 --> 0:47:48.440 percent is undred fans yep. Yeah, So I mean that's 0:47:49.400 --> 0:47:52.560 you know, that's you know, pretty pretty impressive. You know 0:47:52.680 --> 0:47:54.600 they have that many people like the way you play 0:47:54.680 --> 0:47:55.520 the game so. 0:47:56.440 --> 0:47:58.040 Well, you give him a reason to like it. 0:47:58.120 --> 0:48:00.840 Troy, he left everything on the field, uh, one of 0:48:00.880 --> 0:48:04.359 the one of the most decorated Patriot players of all time. 0:48:05.040 --> 0:48:07.680 Now a coach with the team all into one roof. 0:48:07.719 --> 0:48:09.400 How great is that that Troy run has spent his 0:48:09.480 --> 0:48:11.400 professional career today as a new Patriot. 0:48:11.560 --> 0:48:13.080 Thank you, Thank you so much for joining. Thank you 0:48:14.120 --> 0:48:14.560 appreciate it. 0:48:17.560 --> 0:48:19.280 Thank you for downloading this podcast. 0:48:19.560 --> 0:48:22.799 Subscribe on Apple, google Play, and everywhere else you listen. 0:48:23.239 --> 0:48:26.400 Like the show, Please rate and review us. 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