Manza Young On DeflateGate: Patriots Taking It Personal
BOSTON (CBS) - 98.5 The Sports Hub's Ryan Johnston and Mike Flynn, filling in for Toucher & Rich, spoke with Shalize Manza Young of the Boston Globe Monday morning live from Arizona for Super Bowl XLIX.
The Globe reporter noted how both Belichick and Brady's recent pressers have revealed how much of a nuisance the DeflateGate distraction has been, even reaching a personal level. And while Belichick spoke at length about the science behind the deflation of footballs on Saturday, the swarm of media outlets will continue to dig deeper into the situation during media week.
"It's going to get pretty uncomfortable because they're going to want to ask about it, and [Belichick] is not going to say anything," said Manza Young.
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The Patriots are no stranger to controversy, as their divisional round game against Baltimore received heavy criticism from Ravens personnel for making unorthodox substitutions and formations with eligible linemen and ineligible wideouts. In the third quarter of that game, wide receiver Danny Amendola threw a 51-yard pass to receiver Julian Edleman as the Ravens scrambled to align to the Patriots formation.
"One of the first lessons you learn when becoming a New England Patriot is whatever the outside noise is, you need to learn to block it out. Whatever message you get from Bill [Belichick], whatever message you get from your teammates, that's the message you should be listening to," said Manza Young.
As for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, the criticism and questions haven't been any softer for him than head coach Bill Belichick regarding DeflateGate. Brady faced multiple questions about his role in the treatment of the footballs as well as the prospect of him being a cheater in his press conference Thursday.
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"I think he does take it personally, and he said it stung because that's something he controls is the condition of the footballs," said Manza Young.
Brady has certainly weathered the media storm in the past, winning three Super Bowls and now playing in his sixth Super Bowl, passing John Elway for the most appearances by a quarterback in NFL history.
"He knows how to compartmentalize as well as anybody and get down to business, and there's nothing else he wants more than to win the Super Bowl, and I would be stunned if he was taken away or distracted from that goal," said Manza Young.
Listen below for the full interview:
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