Patriots Alfonzo Dennard Focused On Football, Not Talking DUI
FOXBORO (CBS) - While there were plenty of questions surrounding his most recent arrest, New England Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard says he is focused on football right now.
"I'm just worried about the present right now," Dennard said following the Patriots first practice of Training Camp. "And the present right now is just being on the field and trying to help my team win."
"I'm not trying to talk about that right now," he said of his July 11 arrest in Lincoln, Nebraska on suspision of DUI. "I'm just happy to be on the field and for the opportunity. I'm focused on football right now."
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Dennard was in court in Lincoln on Wednesday, where a judge delayed a hearing to determine if he violated his probation from his April 2012 arrest for assaulting a police officer. That hearing will now take place on August 27, two days before the Patriots conclude their preseason schedule against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium.
Head coach Bill Belichick wrote a letter on his cornerback's behalf prior to his April 2012 hearing, and Dennard was asked if he felt he had let his coach down following the second arrest.
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"I'm still on the team right now, so that's what I'm worried about right now," he said.
Dennard's stock in the NFL Draft dropped last year following his April 2012 arrest, as he fell to the seventh round. As a rookie for the Patriots, Dennard played in 10 games and recorded 35 tackles, three interceptions and a forced fumble last season.
But he isn't letting last season's success get in the way of this season's preparations.
"This is a new year, so I'm focused on what's important right now – getting better every day," he said.
After a strong finish his rookie year, Dennard figures to start at corner along Aqib Talib. But his new court situation may put a damper on those plans.
