Press Conferences Video and Audio

New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel addresses the media during his postgame press conference at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday, December 28, 2008. On how efficient the team was with the poor weather conditions The weather conditions were as they were, so we knew that was going to play a role in how we called the game. So, we just figured when we got the wind with us and we were able to throw the ball we'd do that, but the offensive linemen and the running backs really stepped up today and we played a different style of game than what we've been the last few weeks, and those guys did a great job and we were able to execute and come out of here with a "W." On specific play calls when Cassel ran the ball individually They were called passes in which I saw something and figured I should run the ball instead of trying to throw it into the wind. On the difficulty of throwing the ball into the strong winds It was difficult, especially going away from our locker room, going out that way the wind gusts were coming, I guess they had to be up to 50 m.p.h. and so to throw into that you just had no accuracy, and so we didn't want to take a chance in possibly turning the ball over. On his thoughts on the team finishing the season with 11 wins It's been a satisfying year. To say 11 wins, I didn't know how this year was going to go when it all started. I stepped into this role, and I had some big shoes to fill, but to come out here and put ourselves into position to possibly be in the playoffs and to win 11 games was a big accomplishment, not only for myself, but also this team and this organization. And it showed the resiliency and also the great coaching that goes in every week, from Coach Belichick to Coach McDaniels to the defensive side of the ball, and it's a testament to what we do here as a Patriot. On preparing for weather conditions as severe as they were in the game You start making the adjustments re...

New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel addresses the media during his postgame press conference at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday, December 28, 2008. On how efficient the team was with the poor weather conditions The weather conditions were as they were, so we knew that was going to play a role in how we called the game. So, we just figured when we got the wind with us and we were able to throw the ball we'd do that, but the offensive linemen and the running backs really stepped up today and we played a different style of game than what we've been the last few weeks, and those guys did a great job and we were able to execute and come out of here with a "W." On specific play calls when Cassel ran the ball individually They were called passes in which I saw something and figured I should run the ball instead of trying to throw it into the wind. On the difficulty of throwing the ball into the strong winds It was difficult, especially going away from our locker room, going out that way the wind gusts were coming, I guess they had to be up to 50 m.p.h. and so to throw into that you just had no accuracy, and so we didn't want to take a chance in possibly turning the ball over. On his thoughts on the team finishing the season with 11 wins It's been a satisfying year. To say 11 wins, I didn't know how this year was going to go when it all started. I stepped into this role, and I had some big shoes to fill, but to come out here and put ourselves into position to possibly be in the playoffs and to win 11 games was a big accomplishment, not only for myself, but also this team and this organization. And it showed the resiliency and also the great coaching that goes in every week, from Coach Belichick to Coach McDaniels to the defensive side of the ball, and it's a testament to what we do here as a Patriot. On preparing for weather conditions as severe as they were in the game You start making the adjustments re...

New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel addresses the media during his press conference at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, December 24, 2008. Q: Are you looking forward to some warm, sunny weather in Buffalo? MC: Oh yeah, there's no doubt about that. It's probably about as nice as it is here right now. Q: Even though you can always improve no matter where you are at, are you at the level you thought you'd get to or have you exceeded it or not reached it? MC: It's been a continuous process. I didn't really think that far ahead because I never really had the opportunity to prove what I could do, so I always thought I could get it done. Did I ever foresee starting 16 games this season for the Patriots with Tom Brady here and everything else going on? I definitely would not say that, but I thought if I got all the reps throughout the course of the year, I could steadily improve and win some ball games. I did think that. Q: How important has the running game been the last few weeks for your and the offense's success? MC: It's been huge. Those guys have been running the ball great. All the running backs are doing a great job. The offensive line is blocking great up front and when you get a running game going it really opens up other dimensions of your offense. It kind of slows down the pass rush [and] wears out the defense. So, it's huge if we can continue to get that going and continue to establish a run game. It will help all other aspects of the offense. Q: Is it helping play action also? MC: There's no doubt. We were able to hit a few play actions last week and I think that goes hand in hand with a steady running game. Q: How do you feel you've grown as a quarterback over the course of the season? MC: It's been a long journey. When you first jump in there you have to gather yourself and you have to establish a new role for yourself amongst your players, in the locker room, as a leader. Then as you move forward in the season, you ...

New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel addresses the media during his postgame press conference on Sunday, December 14, 2008.

New England Patriots running back LaMont Jordan addresses the media during his postgame press conference on Sunday, December 14, 2008.

New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker addresses the media during his postgame press conference from Qwest Field on Sunday, December 7, 2008. (On whether he should be sore and bruised after the last two weeks... ) I think everybody is, at this point in the season everybody is a little banged up. That is one of those things you just have to fight through to make sure you're ready to go on Sundays. (On how he gets up after the tough hits...) That's just part of your job. You're going to take some vicious hits out there, and you just have to make sure that you're bouncing back and getting ready for the next play. (On improving the third down conversions, compared to last week... ) It's huge; it's something that we put a lot of work into: third down and the red area. We're trying to make sure that we can come through in those two areas. (On whether he was surprised by the comeback...) Not at all. We have a lot of veteran leadership, and guys are going to fight 60 minutes, and make sure that they're giving it their all each and every play. That is what this league is all about; to make sure that you're bringing it every single play. (On the big catch by Gaffney...) I think there were about 6 or 8 minutes left in the game, something like that, and who knows if we'll get another opportunity. So, we have to make sure that we take full advantage of it, and play the series as if it was our last one, and give it everything we've got. (On his play...) I'll do whatever they ask me to do. I just go out there and do my job each and every play, and do it to the best of my ability, and I think that's everybody's role out there on the team. (On Matt Cassel's leadership...) He did a great job. He took some hits, they blitzed us. They were coming after him, and he did a great job of keeping some poise and trying to make plays every opportunity he got...

New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel addresses the media during his postgame press conference from Qwest Field on Sunday, December 7, 2008. (On the the importance of this game...) It was a huge win. A huge win, a huge drive. Everybody stepped up. That is what big games come down to and we knew that that the season was on the line and we had to come up here and take care of business in order to put us in the position to still be in that playoff hunt. It was a huge drive and everybody understood and went out and we were able to execute and get points on the board. (On being able to convert third downs in the second half...) We had some left over from last week so we did a great job on third down. The offensive line did a great job on third down, people made some plays on third down. (On what more you can say about Wes Welker...) What can't you say about Wes Welker? He is the all around football player. He is a guy who you can rely on. He is a guy that I look to constantly in big pressure situations because I know that he is going to get open. He is a guy that everybody looks up to because he gives you 150% on every play. (On the Seahawks blitzing a lot and being able to find Welker to beat it...) Right you know where he is going to be and you know if they are blitzing multiple players then there is probably going to be one-on-one coverage in some capacity outside so we try to take advantage of that. All I know is that I have to beat the defender who is rushing with the ball. The reciever has to do his job of getting open. (On if they expected Seattle to bring that much pressure...) We knew that they were a pressure team. So we prepared throughout the week for the pressure. Until you get into any game you don't really know how much pressure it is going to be. It just turned out to be one of those games for them. (On being able to consistently use the screen play...) It was effective. They made some big plays for us when we needed them. Especia...

New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel addresses the media during his postgame press conference on Sunday, November 23, 2008. (On having two consecutive 400 yard passing games) - "I'm happy about it, there's no doubt. I'm just happy about the fact that we were able to win and put together a great outing today and continue to move forward offensively. I think the production is starting to come around, and that's a good thing for us." (On his comfort level) - "Everybody has to work together. You know, the receiver has got to run good routes. The offense line has to block, running backs have to do their job. And when it all works together and works right, it's easy for me." (On not being as tentative anymore) - "I think that you just become more comfortable as you play. As I talked about earlier in the season, a lot of it has to do with game speed. You cannot simulate game speed in practice. So as much as you want to say that you're ready and that you've stepped on the field ready to go, the fact of the matter is that it takes you a little time to adjust to that game speed. So now I feel like I've gotten a few games under my belt. I feel a lot more comfortable out there." (On becoming more acquainted with WR Randy Moss) - "Today we had a great day, and I'm happy to be able to go out there and have some production with him. He made some great plays out there, and we've got to keep doing that and keep going to them and let him do what he does best, which is make plays." (On being amazed by Randy's ability) - "I'm always amazed at what Randy can do. He's got amazing hands, his body control, and how he's able to control the defender with his body, and then go up and get the ball. He's a special player and those guys don't come around much, so I'm lucky to be on the same team with him." (On his future as quarterback) - "I'm going to continue to move forward and continue to try to have production ...

New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss addresses the media during his postgame press conference at Dolphin Stadium on Sunday, November 23, 2008. Transcript to follow

New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker addresses the media during his postgame press conference from Dolphin Stadium on Sunday, November 23, 2008.