DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR TODD BOWLES

(On his initial observations of CB Richard Sherman)

"[He's] smart. I'm still observing him. He's got to get into football shape, obviously. But I've watched him play for a long time – he's still smart, savvy and understands the ballgame. He's just got to get his legs under him."

(On the expectations of Sherman coming into Bowles' defensive system)

"I don't think it's [different from] the expectations with any of our guys – it's just to run the system, learn what he can do, what he can't do and try to play to his strengths just like anyone else. We're not going to baby him or complicate it any more than what he can do or what we have him do. He's just going to fit in, see what he can do, and we'll go as we see it."

(On how realistic it is that Sherman could play this Sunday vs. New England)

"It's still early. We've still got a lot of injuries to go over and everything else like that. But he's practicing and we're letting him learn some things, so in case he has to, he can go out there and function at a high level and do the right things."

(On the importance of the leadership and accountability Sherman brings to a young secondary)

"Well, it's important all across the board. We've got to have that regardless of whether he's here or not, but he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge at the corner position [and] sometimes players hear things better from players than they do from coaches, with guys that actually are playing the game right there. So, he brings a lot to the table that way."

(On the defense allowing explosive plays last Sunday vs. the Los Angeles Rams)

"We just busted. There is no other way around it – we just busted. We understand we've got to play it better and we've got to coach it better, as well."

(On how much of an advantage it is for a defense to know the opposing quarterback well)

"I don't know if it's an advantage. You can hear what they like to do or what they think, but I don't think it's an advantage or a disadvantage – it's just insight. It's all a matter of what kind of pieces you have to use that insight or not use that insight."

(On the lack of sacks that the defense has generated through Week 3)

"It's not a problem. Sometimes we get there and the ball is out. Sometimes we cover and they don't get there. It's a combination of everything. It's Week 3. We're working at it and we're close. One aspect or the other is letting it down at the wrong time and the timing is not there yet, but we'll get that part together and we'll straighten it out."

(On if there was a lack of energy defensively in the absence of OLB Jason Pierre-Paul last Sunday)

"It's always different when you lose a guy with that kind of energy. But from an urgency standpoint and an energy standpoint, we didn't lose anything there. We've just got to coach it better and play it better."

(On the health status of CB Jamel Dean)

"He's still got a couple of days to get ready. You play at 100 percent your first year. After that, it's all pain tolerance. We'll see how he looks in a couple of days."

(On his impressions of Patriots QB Mac Jones)

"He's poised, he understands where to go with the football. You can tell he's extremely smart. You don't get to start on an NFL team as a rookie unless you're very talented and understand the game very well. He has good ball placement, he's very competitive and I'm impressed with him."

(On putting LB Devin White in a better position to make plays)

"I don't think it's Devin – I think it's that our defense has had some struggles here and there. You can point out a guy or a coach on any given play, but we're just going to coach it better and they're going to play it better. We're going to play as a group and coach as a team and go from there. There is no specific guy that we can point out and say that has not had a play or two that went the other way. We're just going to work on that, work as a group, take care of our fundamentals and go play."

(On if the team is preparing any differently this week on the defensive side of the ball)

"No, we're not doing anything different. We've just got to coach it and play it better. Everybody is in tune. Everybody understands that. We're 2-1. We understand we didn't play well, but at the same time, we understand it's Week 4, so we've got to go out and play."

(On if QB Tom Brady has spoken with him about the Patriots offensive system)

"No, more or less. He understands the Patriots, but they understand him, as well. We have things that we do that we like to run and if we can incorporate something that fits what we do, we'll try to incorporate it. It's always good listening to somebody else trying to give insight to another team."

(On how Patriots QB Mac Jones has handled pressure)

"He stands in there. That's what is great about him – he stands in there and he understands it. He knows where to go with the football and he's very accurate in going somewhere with the football."

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR BYRON LEFTWICH

(On how potentially missing RB Giovani Bernard will affect the running game this week)

"Obviously, he was involved a lot last week. Any time you lose that type of guy that can do that all the things that he can do, it hurts you. But I trust in the guys that will be out there to go out there and play if they need to."

(On if TE Rob Gronkowski practiced today)

"I don't talk about players and their injuries. That's a B.A. (Bruce Arians) question."

(On what emotions QB Tom Brady might face heading back to New England)

"It's probably going to be different. I imagine it's going to be different. I remember I went back to Jacksonville but thank God I was a backup when I went back. It's going to be different. Such familiarity to him up there. What they did together for 20 years is unique and special. It's supposed to be emotional to be honest with you. That's how it's really supposed to be when you accomplish what they accomplished up there, it will be emotional. There's no way around that. Tom's a pro and knowing him, he'll be ready to play his best football when we get up there."

(On getting WR Antonio Brown back this week from the Reserve/COVID-19 list)

"It helps. It gives us another guy who you know is constantly winning out there when he's running routes. A guy that you always want to get the ball in his hands because of the unique things he can do with it when he has it in his hands. He's special before the ball gets to him [and] he's special once it gets to him. Any time you have the opportunity to have him out on the grass it's better for you as a team."

(On establishing the running game more consistently)

"I think it's important because obviously we have to do better. I think I can do better job too of helping out the run game. Last week, it made it tough – just the situation. We'll try to get better at everything. One thing I know about this group, we bring issues up, we try to correct them and we normally do a good job of correcting them. So, we're just trying to make sure we're getting a hat on a hat in the run game, making sure we're doing all the right things from an assignment standpoint to give our backs the opportunity to make yards when they run it."

(On correcting pre-snap penalties)

"Easily, you tell them what's wrong - you communicate. It's really communication. When you think of pre-snap penalties, all the time it's communication and it doesn't really matter who it comes from. It can come from any position group – anybody can be responsible. So, we just try to put them in enough situations, so they have to overcommunicate. Communication is going to be big especially when you're on the road. It's going to be loud Sunday night, so we just have to continue to communicate. As long as we're all on the same page, we'll work everything out. It's all about communication to be honest with you."

(On how he creates a game plan when the Patriots said they know their game so well due to having similar offense concepts to when QB Tom Brady was in New England)

"There used to be a time y'all said we weren't doing that. Remember that? That's something. It had to come from Bill [Belichick]? This is the one thing I will say about this – we all have the same concepts. We all do the same things. I didn't hear the comment really or notice the comment, so I can't really comment further. But in the NFL, you cut the tape on and you see really all the same concepts through every team. Obviously, you do what the quarterback does best. You put him in position to win and have success regardless of the play. We're going to go out here and prepare, try our best to be ready for Sunday night and we'll see."

(On what stands out about the Patriots defense)

"Anytime you play that defense with how well coached they are, how multiple they are up front … 20 years ago, it seemed like the same guys but different numbers. It almost looked like the same bodies – the same type of bodies. They like a certain type of player, a certain type of body type on defense. They're always smart. They're always smart. You never see them making a mistake. You never see them making a bone-head play. That's why they've had the success that they've had. They're a well-coached team. They're always prepared to play, so it should be fun Sunday night. It's a challenge for anybody that plays against them to make sure you're on your homework, make sure you're going everything you need to do to have success. That's what makes it fun. That's what going to make Sunday night fun. You know you're going against a good opponent who's well-coached. You get an opportunity to test and see where you're at."

(On one team having an advantage of knowing what the other team might do during a game)

"This is unique right? This is something that's probably never happening again. This is probably never happening again. I'm quite sure they know each other well. If you've been around somebody for 20 years, you know them well. Especially with what they've been through and the success that they've had together. I'm quite sure they know each other well. We're just going to prepare. We're just going to go play a football game and just try to play our best football Sunday night."

(On Brady being more helpful this week against the Patriots)

"We'll see. We'll see."

(On how Brady can keep his emotions in check during a game like this)

"I don't think this will be his first emotional game. I think being in the games that he's played in, being in the moments that he's been in, I think he'll handle his emotions well to be honest with you. He always does. I wouldn't expect nothing less. I expect it to be a little bit different for him. It has to be. That doesn't mean anything. It's probably different before the game, before the snap. Once the game is kicked off, I'm quite sure football will turn into football. That's for all football players – you'll lock in and try to execute and play well on the football field. But I'm quite sure before and after it will be emotional."

(On how Brady he can keep those emotions together and focus on the game)

"To imagine that Tom Brady can't control his emotions … These guys are professional athletes. It's hard to get to this level of sports, to get to this level of doing anything. All of these guys are pretty good at handling emotions because that's part of getting to this level, getting to this league, being a part of this league year-in and year-out. It's an emotional game – week-in, week-out, day-in and day-out. I think for the most part all these guys do a good job from an emotional standpoint getting themselves ready. The ultimate thing is to get ready to play a football game. I think he'll be fine doing that."

QUARTERBACK TOM BRADY

(On how difficult it is to prepare to play against a Patriots defense that knows his tendencies)

"I think it's probably most difficult to play against them. I think preparing is one thing, I think playing is a whole other thing. They [have] a lot of great players, obviously well coached. They all play hard, tough, smart. I know those guys really well. They're great friends, they're fun to compete against there on the practice field quite a bit, but obviously the game's going to be quite a bit different."

(On how the emotions of Sunday's game compare to big games like Super Bowls)

"I'm not sure, I haven't done it yet. You're right, I've played in a lot of big games. This is a big game for our team, a big game for our guys. We had a tough loss last week. We want to get back track, get back to winning. You've got to do things right, right? Obviously, this team challenges you to do it the right way. They do a lot of difficult things for the offense. It will be a big challenge for us."

(On if he has visualized things on Sunday like walking through the tunnel)

"Not much, not much. Again, I try to just be – like I said the other day – I always feel like I put 100% into it. I use the time as wisely as I can and try to just do what I always do and communicate with our guys, try to put us in the best position to be successful."

(On managing emotions regarding seeing many members of the Patriots organization)

"I haven't thought too much about it. I'm just going to try to do what I always do: Go be a great quarterback. Obviously, I understand the opponent, I know all those guys, they're some of my great friends [and] they will be for the rest of my life. I know a lot of coaches, players, the owners, the staff. It will be great to see everyone after the game, but up until the game I'm focused on trying to go win a football game."

(On how much he has seen of Patriots QB Mac Jones)

"I haven't seen him much at all."

(On if his voice is hoarse because he was yelling over the loudspeakers in practice)

"Yeah, that was loud today. I've had a few of these days, I don't know what the deal is, so I've got to try to figure this out. I said my throat's more tired than my arm. Imagine that."

(On having the same issue on some days in training camp)

"Same thing, I know. It came back. I know, very strange. Something must be a little off. I can't explain it."

(On the Patriots' defense)

"They're really well coached. Obviously, they've got a lot of great players, smart players. They're going to be in the right spot. They prepare really well. Obviously being there for a long time I know how well they prepare. I think when you put great preparation with great players, it makes for a great defense. They have one of the great defenses in the league. Dont'a [Hightower] and Kyle [Van Noy], Ja'Whaun [Bentley], Matt Judon's a great player. Obviously, the guys up front – Lawrence [Guy], Deatrich [Wise], I know those guys really well. Jon Jones, Devin [McCourty], Kyle Dugger, Adrian [Phillips], J.C. [Jackson]'s a great player. Jalen Mills I've played against. I'm pretty familiar with kind of who they are, what they do. We've just got to go do a great job against it. But they're going to make it challenging. It's going to be a very, very, very tough game."

(On his relationship with CB Richard Sherman)

"It's great. I like Richard a lot. I got to know him on that one particular day out there. He was kind of young and brash and excitable. I threw him a pick, that was the problem. I should have never tried him, but I didn't quite know the scouting report as well as I should have. He made a great interception. He was a Stanford wide receiver, [they] made him a DB. Obviously he's great against go routes and I tried to throw one up the seam to Deion Branch. I regret that throw."

(On having connections with players like Sherman and Rams CB Jalen Ramsey)

"We have a cool fraternity of guys. To make it to this point in the NFL you've got to be a great guy, you've got to work hard, got to be a real professional. Then you see the guys that are really consistent year-in and year-out, they even take it to another level. I think when I see that from a young player, I think I have a lot of appreciation for that because I know how challenging that is. There's a lot of things that tug on you. There's a lot of things that change as you get older. But the guys that can stay really consistent with it end up widening the gap between a lot of other players because they just mature, they learn, mentally and emotionally, and physically you've got to maintain your skill level as long as you can. A lot of those guys have done that."

(On if he had to get tickets for family members for Sunday night)

"A lot. The first four weeks have been tough on me – the home opener, then California, Patriots. So, after this, I'm done for the year. I'm tired of it. Maybe that's the problem with my voice."

(On if he has heard much from his father)

"Not much. I think he took the warning. He's going to keep it nice and quiet."

(On what he appreciates the most from his time with Bill Belichick)

"He's a great coach, obviously a great coach. [He] has everyone prepared, does a great job of that. Obviously, I've said before, [he] taught me a lot. He was a great mentor for me for a long time and I really enjoyed my time in New England. But at the same time, I'm super excited about what we've done here. I've got a great group of coaches here, an amazing group of guys that still motivate me and inspire me to be the best I can be for this team and this organization. The last 18 months have been very fulfilling in a lot of different ways and I love my football experience here, as well. I've been very blessed. I went [to] high school football, where I fell in love with [football]. I went to Michigan, which was amazing for me – had its challenges but I learned a lot. The 20 years in New England were incredible. I learned a lot. Coming down here for a year-and-a-half I've learned a lot. I have nothing but incredible thoughts, memories, emotions towards all of the kinds of football experiences I've had. That's obviously one that was the longest and I still have a lot of great friends there, but they know I want to kick their butt this week. They'll know exactly how I'm feeling once I'm out there."

(On if he knows why Belichick met with him over the phone instead of in person)

"All of those things are super personal. We had a great relationship. I think it was handled the right way. We handled everything as gracefully as we could. It was an amazing time. It was handled perfectly. I think everyone understood where we were at, the people involved in the situation. Things worked out for the best for all of us and we're all trying to do the best we can do now. That's what happens in life. You go through these experiences, you don't know where life's going to lead. And I think the only thing I know how to do is give it all I can in every day, moment. And the people that really bet on me, I want to do really well for them. [General Manager] Jason [Licht] and [Head Coach] Bruce [Arians], I think them coming into my life and saying, 'Hey, we really want you to be here,' has been an amazing thing for me. I'm just excited to go up there and try to beat a really good football team. That's ultimately what this week is about. It's not about the quarterback, it's not about the fans or the home crowd or relationships of 20 years. It's about two good football teams going at it, and we've got to do a great job. It's going to be a huge test. Last week was a huge test and we didn't quite meet it. This is another huge test; we've got to go meet the challenge."

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER SHAQUIL BARRETT

(On understanding what this game might mean to QB Tom Brady after he made his return to Denver last season)

"Yeah, I'll have an understanding for it and of it. I want to make sure we get the job done. I want to win every game, but especially this one because of Tom being there for a while and now he's down here. It's just something about when you're leaving home and then you want to come back there and let them know they made a mistake. Then with him beating every team in the NFL, you want to be a part of that too. Whatever we can do to help him get that win, we're going to do it."

(On his experience when he went back to Denver for the first time)

"It felt like a normal game all the way up until arriving at the stadium. That's when I felt some different emotions. It felt good to be back and seeing a couple of the old guys and my friends back there. I said leading up to the game that it's going to be another game for me – a normal game – but I didn't account for the emotions I had once I got to the stadium. It was an amazing feeling to come out there and perform. I held nothing against Denver. There is no way they could have kept us anyway. It was just a great feeling to come out there and perform the way that I did, even though I don't think I played the best game. But number wise, I had some good numbers."

(On what needs to change for the pass rush to improve)

"We just have to win. Bring the mentality that no matter what we are doing – stunting, chip blocks, one-on-ones – we just have to win when we get our opportunities. I haven't been winning enough and I've been working on it in practice, making sure I get back to where I need to be at. Just have to win. Just keep winning and sometimes you win on the three-step drop and you won't get there, but you just have to keep winning because they will hold the ball. When they do hold the ball, we have to be there. It won't be a one sack game for us ever again. We'll have more than one sack every game from here on out."

(On facing a young quarterback like Patriots rookie QB Mac Jones)

"[We are] most definitely ready to take advantage of a young quarterback because they usually are a little slower with their reads, hold the ball a little longer trying to make a play. But Mac Jones has actually been pretty good of getting the ball to the check down and getting the ball out of his hands. It's still going to be a little challenge to get to him because of the scheme he runs and his wits as a quarterback. I love playing rookie quarterbacks. I'm looking forward to us as a defense having a great week."

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