07-24-08 Michael Felger, Comcast SportsNet & WEEI

Once it was decided at 9:59 AM who would be here today and and it's -- and Hagerty because of the person who's joining us right now.

On the phone -- Michael -- Michael to the unbelievable. What you guys do I I tease about coming back the dark side and now but it's true it's. What a dark -- what you people do.

And that's only -- people after -- opinion. Opinion. May not saying just ripped it right it. I forgot I hit it now it ought to remember how. We operate your -- yet but not like it. I Jimmy Stewart bill. At the start of the week Thursday morning could be an issue support it training camp I was -- ethical for -- We -- Thursday could be an issue I call it -- night it's that Thursday looks like you know go oh. I can understand a lot and advance. I'm going to be a look at the -- with a I want Juqua elastic and -- sports is simply -- I've heard say that yet Brito I.

Bob I don't use a lot of things that I've tried to forget the last 24 hours we're -- It. All I know -- 1:59 PM yesterday were saying our goodbyes I I I looked unity among going to be here tomorrow I'll be here tomorrow about it my ticket at that then it's just been a never ending string of phone calls since 8 o'clock last night from Jimmy Stewart like you may not happen I mean. It's nice I wanted it's I mean you you must feel good that you're so wanted -- by the station that's for that's without debate. I didn't aptly said let's let's start -- let's -- they -- I think also you -- remembered -- I think there -- a lot of conflicting reports on how much -- Jimmy Stewart actually got from you know you're going to be here -- that's up for debate you know what I'm willing to turn the -- let's move on -- let's start let's start -- you're down -- you've been working for Comcast sports -- you can do little work for us right now -- and give us the latest what was that first practice like twelve guys on the pup -- year. Including Rodney Harrison.

What Tibet because they had to go into the practice bubble which just as an -- practice does wander outside and -- outside. The deal but it'll little more hitting -- a little bit more can really what's going on they weren't at. I always take it up open behind what kind of camp pretty Abbott the first practice about the shoot going to be a -- though David are short. -- keep Adam up and they start knocking heads they want -- they went knocking heads. That tells me well I think built going to hit some this camp and go easy on them -- overall. Out of the -- it's pocketed. Yet and you know -- first stated to a day first morning practice they were hitting -- for the pop guys. It out of perspective more notable who -- and better than what that are. And there are other people stated it well -- what epic comeback anytime of the mean any thing all this to be just one big thing. And that's certainly true Erica and not -- joke but it probably guys are able could be back tomorrow Bears could be back tomorrow bought. I was also an exact same thing -- despite what Richard Seymour. -- started the camp on YouTube and when we all thought he would be ready and real but -- thank all these -- little bit late coming back. From that needs that they -- the back it'll wait for the back in the stately backed by the second pre season game. Back out they kept going on throughout camp throughout camp throughout camp the next thing you know you're not VP yet yet they can't which means yet and it the first six games. You know this the first seven games. And it turned out -- industry or physically unable to perform status was very real about. That's only cautionary tale.

Any I don't know any name's Mike that that stick out that you that raised an eyebrow are you concerned about largest credit.

Bowl it'll bring what they want Joe I I think sore shoulder thing last year if you happen -- camp I'm not mistaken on the field working out now. But they kept an eye contact -- to -- but. It has sort of raise an eyebrow but you know overall. I don't know it Jarvis Green. Com Wes Welker. Crable. Oh -- we know battle but sports hernia and quite thing all last year but. We won't know. Until we get into camp whether it's a real injury. -- Is that it gate is that a conditioning brought is that we is real injury it's gonna cost them. The first six weeks of the it and you just don't now.

Goes without saying I think Michael I don't know if you agree that the quarterback is the area than -- is going to be watching every practice every day and and I mean can we learn anything here from that first practice because if there are guys who have come into an NFL experience I think Fernando Bryant. You know play last year with -- you guys who have come in and you're expecting these guys especially with the departure and while the first questions. You know to Brady and Bill Belichick addressing it's like -- guys who aren't here and that's going to be the -- going forward but. Is quarterback the key area of concern for you heading into this training camp.

All right are we don't operate like because I think -- impact plays about the extent. They can get away with having. Western great quarters like it did in 2004 when they want fourteen to what do you all back here that the -- I law ripped up his knee. I won't all what are what that would not factor to beat in the spot based -- would not expect to know that being. -- gave it really at third fourth quarter was restarting or quarters and it got away with that. Because they're great -- like Rodney Harrison and Eugene Wilson back with a -- play and it at impact got in the front seven that got away with it. Long way to answer that question is I don't necessarily think quarterback in the number 18 providing. Mail make plays -- a Bill Thomas -- perceive mortgage backed debate what is -- or James standards can make that next step. I think it the other pieces around the east -- an impact it get away with what ethnic or vote epic quarter today was two veteran that they signed. Sort of off the wire article scrap -- guys but Fernando Bryant Jason Webster were two guys who were not. Early create I think they were second -- signing those. Two guys would. Quarters -- the first deep as they were built opt out and will that be good enough well you know go back my answer if you get impact around the defense maybe. -- the past Russians want any consistent like last year and -- Baltic.

Mike did you reads during the open locker session just talking to anybody in general that. You evidence that either way this team is still may be and it lingering you know the littlest bit. On the superbowl last year or beating David does clear evidence there that they've moved on that's not even a Clinton Iraq at this point.

Don't like great public that because. You -- hole that and it's obvious that Phillips although we're not talking but -- yeah we're not talking about last year -- Any question related to game last year up immediately to bust aside though. As a intrepid or annoying reporter that but that could be you got that they are creative way to Robin insult -- these guys want. Did you watch the game digital film session on the game every single game every single practice guys. Is eight and walks and be viewed in Dublin traditional group. As often as a decent at fatigue. Did you watch the game -- came as a unit and consult. All the got you out at that they start at third and that it could could tell what to do what. All they get watched the game. I don't know it was a total 53 or eight and -- and that it is right now. In camp I don't know built bad about and watch this garbage is being -- that would that. Or go to individual plays broken up for the individual player at that position. -- it -- to game it just Whitney and -- question has told me that. Putting last year behind it and not answer the question is out of first impulse -- let you know I know bill I I active pitcher coming into the team meeting thank. He's able to recommend your.

Asked about an and I specific DL do you think he'd be he held above picture you've underwent. --

Asked about who all actually ask -- about that and you're not going to get a tool and edit and so that's clearly what. -- and -- Holliday actually. Like a way to put physically on the field or -- spoke -- legit question but the battle lot that you gonna put everything. I'm a lot last year and it was don't want -- wind sensibly get this thing off the field and all the pressure on the field. They don't want to carry over they would be human or. And I think it is spiritual well but updated October -- something tangible that you you really replica.

But Mike isn't that the way that -- has told his players and maybe how he's presented to handle it even after a Super -- win I mean last year was devastating we all know that but it it. Hasn't has always been and we you know we heard this press conference we heard what telecheck at the same Brady had to say you didn't know there was. You know training camp after Juan 34 -- it's just it's it's the same.

Well that Eric is about your ability uses the past when it benefits motivational tactics if he's. I mean your example estate or quit which that's this year and the jet star. A mill road game. Anybody -- it expect the -- to beat the Jets. It was going to bring out. That game at the end of all sick when Eric Mangini came in here and they upset the -- it -- a terrible game the pat the Jets beat them. And -- could you expecting you to -- a result of what happened. In 2006 but the jet came in here that don't -- but after -- bring it up -- shoulder. So. You talk about what it to a damaged and he ignores it -- it. We feel it was a batters -- all right now out to feel getting passed last game is the way is to it in ignore what to say Eric refuted that that's what really does.

Are you think it's ever and it is this then in many ways the greatest motivational tactic he could never come up with you know you lost one game all year and you've played poorly. In that game against the New York Giants and you know you'll use that to his benefit more than you know any other thing we can think up from the recent past whether -- in certain games are teams are. You know like to match with the Jets.

Yeah you might ask I think I I guess there's something airport I guess. I'm really looking forward to early on is our team pieces itself and Tom Brady we can -- shoot. Has based himself he can focus more and and he talked a lot of Bob you're not particularly toward it or if he'd do it to date. They get more attitude that you did not going to well and white -- issue I'm -- without there -- took about. I bumped all the ball maybe a couple times you looked -- but it wasn't. What are taking regular reps all the ball on the field that you that this you don't has periodically last couple years well now he's done it went out the shoot out he also admitted. That he gave up -- parking spot this year you can not compete. Which the other guys in the offseason program for putting in the most hours about. You know what I did that up mr. I was more or we spend more time. Think off the field -- get the chance to it was like I was away a lot more me at all what that would it be bought him. You know in the -- the other day looking a lot so with. We're Wichita.

Is that is that the is that the Gisele factor in their -- right fielder. That's -- the parking space if you beat them again. Argue that they ought.

But you know and it -- it the yeah you know what. Let about the market by I had ghetto you know and now I'm paraphrasing but that -- just what I had to get away a little bit more that I had in the past and you gotta see the physical mental grind of last year how would that managed -- this year. The pads on early morning and they were hitting but I still get the feeling. -- recognize it and he's got to he's got to keep at it back I. To play its best football at the end the year not the beginning of last year was really let you know they -- in the -- although it to the superbowl. They were challenged and -- got height -- or -- he had the Baltimore and Philly game to those two playoff games those came at the and if these guys start it's something that's our yard Duke -- we of the table so we -- and I'm actually okay. -- look at the schedule. For straight game the cupcakes. Applied that we or you're a lucky break we'll be a 100% in December welcome back -- I've actually okay with that I want them accurately about. At the end upbeat and.

Mike I know you pride yourself on not thinking outside the box which I think some people confused sometimes throwing stuff against the wall but. Who who are some of the outside the box names that you're looking at this training camp on our players that you're particularly watching closely to maybe not everybody is.

On the articulate that people watching them by the -- Thomas. And Richard Seymour these guys are if guys are you guys tell lies are marketable -- players in the it in the lead to probable impact offensive guys on paper did you want on your -- and yet Seymour or two plus years hasn't been that -- injuries. Offseason work regiment whatever the reason I don't know why more hasn't been -- got the last couple Padilla Thomas. At all that money. They splashy free agent last year came made some plays early the total wonder where he'd -- all week. Those two guys you know US open quarters -- If Richard Seymour had built promised our game -- the quarterback and making plays on the edge in sort of impact. That I you know I think that you get away with a quarterback situation that's why those guys are so important it's important all of them do what I just -- that Seymour has the talent. To beat that -- public -- at the pure bought element to beat those guys the other -- that I am looking.

Michael Felger resign with us from Foxboro here on WEI on the offensive side of things that right side of the offensive line we know about -- But the knee injury at the Super Bowl we know about catchers problems off the field they're both on the do you delist that you know we're not going to find too much out about catcher we know what's happened in the courts and and and what's come out that way but. That's got to be a huge question heading into the season you're not just the injury that -- coming off of but also just the off the field stuff with casual when --

Well he'll let you right tackle and a I'll pick it is a great right tackle spot that's probably other -- healthy or are they got to find someone who can play that spot that's been a record -- Belcher got -- revolving door. On the right side. Com you don't want. It's just circling their frustration because I think. He can be such a great player I've got a cute Steve -- and I think for a guy is side is such great movement and feet and let -- them and watch them. It's such a great all blocker on a capital -- up he's pulling for not quite but he's just so wrote greater I -- I just and I had his game. We can't stay on the field. Every other year every year frankly it's one thing or another and some players just. Unfortunately that's the way they are is they don't hold up physically and and that's about I think Steve Neal. As a chance to be our special player in this league ballplayer for a little or -- guide but he can't be out there are you -- an out there about. To prove that he has that god and you look at all those that -- and ill. Are both injured and both could be out. Well what I don't know all of the different because I don't know others stepped up. Inside. I know it's going to happen that the that right tackle and if you -- to get that they are but. Those two guys off that might not -- the talk about stressing the depth that.

Mike got ready Maas came into the New England last year not making typical Randy Moss money and obviously there was a lot of motivation there that. Sure exactly what he could do to it to to get a bigger contract he got three years 27 million dollars. I do you get any questions about his motivation and whether he's going to be as motivated this year as he was last year and as good a player frankly as he was last year.

I don't think it appears motivated but that's not don't you know don't take data such sinister things at the major he had. He had a lot to Peru last year he wrote it so. Of course -- have a much to prove -- that doesn't mean you won't be effective I think health is -- with them but at this time last year he. You know he'd stick his hamstring in the fall camp then that raised some eyebrows maybe the people out without ultimate dog out of a what.

Nobody heard it so it doesn't matter if you're under.

I doubt about that -- let that there are. So I mean Joe I think he's got what do what classical what you want last year with arguably the greatest single in the receiver in the history NFL I I think. As he goes back to a more normal that it ought numbers fifteen. Touchdown you know and that range to help you stick with them you know yet approved last year. And the deal that we -- like four okay that was the question was coming out of Oakland. So that's what he had to prove much as any that but we -- Knocked -- contract to a as we all but it stayed there it'll it'll add up every single week that the Big -- but you know. I guess if it takes to pick up -- last year I think we all feel all the you know better about it we realized he'd come back back to other --

You mention guys having full seasons before when you talk about Stephen Neal and keeping guys healthy you know -- everybody you can look at Laurence Maroney and for all the talent he has he hasn't had a full season yet -- anymore solid -- You know for all they did with the air attack last year with Brady and Welker and Moss that. It just feels that these things go and all cyclical ways here might that. -- Maroney could have a huge year I mean maybe that's just the gut feeling and he would need to stay healthy but I think we've seen that the talent is there the question is. Kenny stay on the field you know other and the Patriots you know they're going to the opponents again trying all they can take away what while current Boston last year you know they can't match that so. Are being set up for Maroney to have a bigger year this year.

Yes and you know he's another guy Rupert due may two ought to you can do on the field that we can -- in -- that -- And it is set up for because I think. In all under the cap that the running the running game yet I was overrated great running backs overrated capacity week. And I believe I'm -- up. A whopper and keep you want some balance you want the threat of balance and I think we saw what happened that it -- at the end of last year when the weather got bad in the deep -- got tight. Talk in the ball on the field -- Randy -- forty yards on the field. They got it in the best game I don't want the game best game plan it bit about the wind against Bjorkman all that game plan help booted again. So be able to different take up. So reliant on Randy Moss being able to do that short. Quick read them passing in the used to be the bread and butter well running the ball well whatever it takes to step out that balance. I think it's important not wanting to beat that team that they can't deal running game I don't want that Leo. But what got -- team anymore because got ready bleeping ought throw all too well but on saying you're. -- in your arsenal and out that. Maybe more readily available that you did at various points in the last year.

Mike the most important questions coming up right now was there around a parade for you with the Patriots fans there to shower you with confetti as you arrived at Foxboro today. We know public about it. And we're out of it or not admitted because you're in the Foxboro town limit.

Earlier today -- Pick up and at I don't like people want out tonight that. It's quote immediate well when rain -- on the Bobble does not wrote well.

Close the public okay so is it that's official because we had heard it was on offense lament the -- they're going to practice inside tonight to okay.

But I thought I heard they -- stock company official -- but I --

And finally a bit up housekeeping here around in the building and I know we have to keep you you know kind of focused and on target they want to know if you're going to show -- for the morning showtime -- you know your schedule.

Yeah -- two weeks ago the first pit training camp expect an issue. That I got they got.

There's an issue tomorrow I'm I'm missing are you going to be here tomorrow morning because.

Stay out quite -- Brightened bushy -- six they'll be there.

Okay so there you have it did we record that. So went 650 and I tune in and I hear John Dennis filibustering you know waiting for the arrival Michael -- you've got Michael -- is word which is good as -- old right now and it's in this building gold Michael Felger gold. Thanks for call him Mike. Areas that the man who was supposed to be out for four hours and able we have on like 21 minutes eleven seconds yeah Mike Felger checking in from Foxboro with the latest from Patriots camp.