Stephen Neal, Patriots Guard

I know I don't have to introduce you this guy you guys were teammates was going oh man you don't. Do -- again Stephen -- has been joined us here on on patriots Friday I asked this to Sammy few minutes ago all askew. Are you one of those guys and as a thank god training camps over that.

I think everyone's one of those guys you know I you know training camp it's it's it's great opportunity it kind of hone your skills and and and try to get to level where you you wanna be for -- season. And hopefully -- at that point.

I I read a report this -- a Twitter yesterday from the field. And a couple hours for the game it's said that Tom Brady was out on the field running sprints with you and that you guys were -- on his friends who want. Tom -- got -- that he's he's I didn't think that was possible I mean I I thought that the offensive -- to a man -- out sprint race. Who we know we have to have a race you know here we are doing conditioning and I was getting tired so he that's that is definitely man I know -- and out. As the president can be -- Yeah W. That's really better for it for him away you know so. I had and it does gather you like the there was them from playing well. And you don't wanna giving you could so he barricaded themselves from the room by himself a I guess gathering Willie McGinest and Bobby Hamilton and out of gas trying to push a program that could open because he put -- put this to. But if it's not like you avoided the haircut forever you you know what. They they've made some arguments. -- said the door that said. We're gonna -- your helmet -- playbook. You're gonna -- find 101000 dollars annual good acclaim came at the ants I said okay guys are locked -- mojo so. Hope that the we -- it's about 2 AM in the morning and and that may explain that mean. I I just want them.

They could put up the good fight fell -- did it one of refinement that was pretty impressive they could barbs that by the room -- those. I mean some big gas and Kristen there ointment if they gave up a little.

Yeah they they broke my door handle and so I had to get. The nightstand and put that against the door. But all they could see and then there was my arm or an alert that that's what the -- So as you you lot of the things that by the exactly exactly that's that's all you need is just one hand although both are about. Were you one of those veterans who wanted to play in the fourth pre season game don't give me the peace -- being here to tell the truth now that you wanna play last night.

I know it's gonna sound -- you know my my biggest thing is whatever I can do to help the team whatever coach Belichick wants me to do. I'm more than willing to do so it it wouldn't matter either way in Europe they're considered a few miles we'll get out there and mangled that.

Go to Ireland a one appointment if you want me to the and obviously you're never gonna say I don't wanna play if they want you to. But you know it's not exactly unusual in the fourth pre season game Brady hadn't played in the fourth pre season game since 2003. Before last night so what happened last night even though was only two series profits to for defense. Was kind of against the grain here did you guys think you needed it you needed to get out there for another couple of series.

I'm not sure if you think you needed that like I said. It's great -- coach Belichick is he's gonna do what's best for the team. And and and he's he's my leader whatever he says I believe and -- he says you're good don't don't play tonight or go ahead. And that's that's what we need.

You that if if there is a hallmark of the offensive line in the years that that this whole that Belichick has been here in Dante's and coaching your position. It's versatility it's the ability of guys to play. Multiple positions maybe even all of them at times like I don't know that we'd -- map like to snap the ball but you know what -- where you guys can can move around a lot. Is that something that from the minute you walk through the door here as a rookie they say. Don't just learn your job Neil you make sure you know all these other jobs --

Well you know. An important part of this this offense is not just knowing your role but knowing the the offense the scheme and and once you've. Understand that you can you can fill up in and do different rules because you understand what I'm trying to do what session with the text and do. And in profits and forget.

And it and -- out how much. Right now what all all the injuries right now on on the on this team in the -- and so when a position men. No policy -- is not here how much is this team. Miss and logo right now especially with a cut downs coming around a corner. It was gonna -- a more personal guys like yourself to play a couple more positions. Know a couple of Kabul for his position just in case. Something happens to some other guy you may have grown Lucas how much is this team has some Logan Mankins.

I think you're definitely in you know him listen a Pro Bowl player tough guy and just a great got to be around. But you know we can't really focus on that right now we've just got to do whoever's here just. I'll strap it up and got they're together and and just go to your glass -- like doctor -- says you know.

You hate me right now. Astronaut question and answer. There it I I believe Tom was talking about you when he told the story the other day. It was an offensive lineman and I believe it was Andy was saying he was walking off practice field the other day and I think it was with you when he was talking about. You know when when when I'm calling the offensive play. How much of it do you hear. And I think he's that you with a one they said you know it's like those. Those those movies you know that are delved in -- in another language where the lips -- movement in and in policy and you just hear one word out of there that you understand. And that as an offensive lineman -- really care. Where the wide receivers go what the running back there when you wanna know what's the blocking scheme. What do you want from me and that that's almost the only part of the whole thing that you hear is that true.

Yeah that is there's a few of us walking out there in Matt Light was the wanna put in those terms okay it was mapped that out yet definitely. We we hear the snap count. We hear that play. Protection of the run run and play and and literally information but you know like said it. Where the wonder Steve whether -- routes that run and I could care less I.

I've never anything to do with UN that's not my job so that so so what when he's saying this big long play thing. You're only here in about three other words there that matter to you exactly out of all of that stuff yet you now when any say in this big long play calling your in the huddle yeah what are you listening.

Well I used to be I used to build a point where it was just all want it was a formation. And indigo -- them you know from within got to the point where -- can implement these teams and can we know seven for protection -- Now move back when I moved from outside receivers and that was primarily -- that. It was I had to know what the protection with which we have -- that land you know the -- that away from the back to me because I had nine cited this responsibility -- this pick ups and stuff like that some to ahead no. What the protection listings -- just in case. You know -- while I was I was as -- as a blocker but it. Mired in my Mac came from me -- told them well so that's what it was when a snap count mistake is made. Is it just you were too tired there was too much stuff going on -- thought he heard two when he really said 3 AME when those sorts of things happen and don't happen much on this offensive line. What happens when that when it goes like that.

Well you have a few situations sometimes you know yet. -- double cadence and you think they went through one time or you're looking that your guy and you forget about this that count. Or unity they check -- play and you think once they check and it's gonna go on bond but now it's gonna innocent -- there's some there's some things they.

Get more complicate yeah they just weren't going don't want to get it to me those guys have like probably the hardest job in football next to be in -- coordinate because. -- And so depend on what defense they're in man. Then that's contains a place so it is it's kind of amazing to me to see you can. So you guys were -- that the situation is basically as a team like Pittsburgh Steelers were. Yeah they move around and jump around -- some Japanese economic trouble for saying met with Parcells did but. Hedo they you know they come in and effectively is as honest and open man's commitment bailout -- the -- back of the bailout of the doesn't -- and and that that stuff in the coverage and as -- and it to -- asking him all this stuff.

Well I said I don't know I don't know the coverages like the white receivers do it in and you know if -- cover one break this thing cover to cover five minutes. That's amazing do I have my respect for for the receivers the tight ends. Because they need to know you know that running plays the passing plays. There's lot of tough positions out there especially in this offense.

After the game last night bill spoke glowingly and especially for bill spoke glowingly about Alge Crumpler. And what he's brought to this team and not just the physical on the football field -- Alge Crumpler but what he's brought in general what's been your experience is what.

Man I think what he's -- great distances football team we have a couple of young tight ends and he sit there on the sideline not only plan but also be in on the field. I don't -- coach but he's given them great words of inspiration and and can really get them on track so I think he's going to be a great leader on this team that can help open the young presidents come along.

I know the offensive -- pretty tight group -- and and your your little picky about you know who gets -- and who doesn't it's almost. He's be big enough to be an offensive linemen anyway he could almost be an honorary offensive lineman with your --

I think he said in his with Tennessee. -- him he. Take snaps at guard and tackle himself after that he could do what threatening yeah he's he's good good athlete. He's strong too and knows -- he knows what's going on so he knows how to do the -- there.

When you're out there in training camp and you guys are doing one on one -- who's the strongest guy on the Patriots defense that you match up against. We there's a few. When Gerard Warren and and Ron Brace and and that's what for a society is gonna run straight to -- confident that there's not much I can do. He's got to put your head down and just keeps them backwards but yet there's we have a lot of we have less strong guys. On this team.

That I mean I know how strong some of the offensive linemen aren't and what talked about you know your athletic background. You'd like that little test of physical will's not there. Yeah contest of you know what -- you here's the -- here's the little four foot area wherein what was gonna walk out here.

Yet it is it is fun. You never wanna lose and and and it's hard because yep two professionals that are a very good at what they do and you're out there battling and it it is fun it's just. It's stuck it stops being fun when your little banged up you know and and your fingers or your shoulder elbow and he just got to get out there and tough -- out.

At this point you mean -- come in unison in the compliment on this and they attack attack came within a couple of times in the company go to where what do you what do you -- you know that it -- they're -- ones they. He can't get a look at him says and I hope is go on this way -- I was around at at at polity to get them working on Cincinnati. You know they they don't openly say worker assists but I'm sure we've been working around for awhile so.

Stuff that you've been doing. You're gonna find in the game plan when it shows up in your locker in our next week you're gonna all okay now in a while we're doing the stuff.

Yeah probably so in our coaching staff I think we have one of the best coaching staffs. -- and I. I don't -- on the X and or anywhere else but they they always have us prepared have a great game plan and give us the best opportunity to win so. We'll be working hard this week in and now hopefully we'll get out there in -- well.

Collecting its fund finally get the regular season gone thanks for coming by I think -- Offensive line isn't even Neill joining us here on Sports Radio WEEI.