BSJ Daily Briefing 01.27.18: Checking in on the Patriots' locker room

Good morning!

A few random thoughts from the Patriots locker room on Friday, while I contemplate if some people also thought that I was really saying that Tom Brady was giving away state secrets in Tom vs. Time, among other things...

• Spent much of Friday's locker room period checking in with various guys to take the pulse heading into Super Bowl week.


• I must say, this group is totally loose, even the new guys who haven't been through this before. I could understand if the veterans were taking this all in stride — they basically have a 22-week season every year at this point, so this is old hat — but the newcomers seemed to be taking their cues from the veterans. Basically: this is just another week and game.


• One of the most popular questions I get is about the tackle situation for next season, especially with Nate Solder entering free agency, and a possibility for retirement. So I checked in to see if he had any thoughts that this could be his final NFL game ever. After we chatted about my interest in his decision (no, he didn't have a problem with my training camp column), he said that he hasn't thought about it and won't until after he gets a little space from the season.


• Solder definitely didn't knock down my thoughts about him being a biology major and smart, so he more than most would be thinking about the toll football could have on him long-term. But this did surprise me: "I really like football," he said. When I've been asked about Solder, I said the x-factor in this is how much he just loves to play. I wasn't sure. But now we know.


• Because of that, I would say my estimate is that it's 65-35 that he plays next season. I have a hard time seeing him leaving the Patriots, but perhaps the hometown Broncos could be an exception (and they need tackle help). He also loves playing for Dante Scarnecchia.


• Speaking of Solder, one of my Patriots friends asked me the other day which of the players were really good guys. There are more than a few in the locker room, but there's no question that Solder is at the top of my list. He absolutely is deserving of the NFL Man of the Year Award. I try not to root for players I cover, but sometimes you just can't help it.


• My Rutgers sweatshirt elicited a few responses from the usual suspects (Kenny Britt, Devin McCourty) but also one surprising source: Trevor Reilly. First of all, he openly mocked RU's athletic department (easy target), but then that led into an interesting discussion about why RU struggles and the atmosphere on campus. Apparently his time with the Jets made an impact on him. We also shared notes on living in South Florida. Interesting dude that Trevor Reilly.


• I'm not sure if "Steady" Teddy Karras ever has a bad day.


• Patrick Chung didn't want to have anything to do with the podium. Even though he's had a mixed history with the New England media, gotta give him credit for going through with it and not just going through the motions. The old Chung would have punted.


• Hey Pat, what did you think about Bill Belichick calling you one of the best players in the NFL? "It only means something if I play good this next game. We'll see how that goes." Great answer.


• Trey Flowers: consummate professional, on the field and in the locker room. Not surprising given that he was one of 10 children and worked for his father's contracting company.

This picture is ?????????? pic.twitter.com/xuSrRJy5fq

— '03 Kliff Kingsbury (@fearthe_beard11) January 27, 2018

@GregABedard My Mom says the BSJ subscription I gave my Dad is the best gift I’ve ever given him. He’s totally obsessed & talks you guys up to all friend & fam. Thanks for making me look good.

— Mandy Johnson Gilman (@MandyGilman) January 23, 2018