You may have read a thing or two about a certain young quarterback getting himself ready to make his first start for the Patriots.
Oh sure, Jimmy Garoppolo fits that description, but he’s not the only one. The understudy’s understudy is also working hard. After all, Jacoby Brissett is just a snap away from being the man at the controls of New England’s offense.
“Just preparing like a starter,’’ said Brissett, when asked what his mind-set was heading into Week 1. “Doing whatever I can to help Jimmy get ready and help this football team go out and win this game.’’
The third-round pick out of North Carolina State has had a very solid summer. The 6-foot-4-inch, 235-pounder has a powerful arm and excellent athleticism. Brissett has quick feet and good speed, giving him the ability to buy time in the pocket or take off downfield.
He’s also been very heady. He’s avoided mistakes — and sacks — by throwing the ball away rather than taking unnecessary risks. Brissett is light years ahead of where he was when he first arrived in Foxborough.
“I obviously know so much more from when camp started until now,’’ said Brissett, who often could be spotted lugging Garoppolo’s and Tom Brady’s equipment back to the locker room after practices. “You know, I’m just constantly working to get better.’’
If all goes according to the Patriots’ plan, Brissett will be a spectator for the foreseeable future, but that doesn’t mean he’s not looking forward to the trip to the desert.
“We got a great opportunity on Sunday so it’s obviously real exciting — my first regular-season game — so it’ll be a fun road trip,’’ he said.
Andrews focused on task
One guy who couldn’t care less about who’s playing QB Sunday night is second-year center David Andrews. His job description stays the same regardless of who’s calling for the ball.
“Our job is to go there and give him time to make plays, no matter who’s back there,’’ said Andrews.
When asked if Garoppolo was ready for a starring role, Andrews deflected the answer toward himself.
“I don’t know anything about Jimmy and what he’s feeling, I just know what I’m feeling and I’m ready to go play football,’’ he said.
Andrews said the Cardinals are “a great team . . . with a great scheme,’’ but he puts no extra importance on the hype that comes with a season opener.
“You’ve got to prepare just like it’s any other game. It’s the most important game because it’s the next one,’’ said Andrews.
“Then after that, the next one’s the same, it’s just as big. So to me, there’s no difference.’’
He did acknowledge, however, that he still gets butterflies before every game.
“I think if you don’t get butterflies . . . if you don’t get that feeling in your stomach, something’s wrong with you,’’ he said matter of factly. “You’re playing in the NFL.’’
Respectfully yours
While Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer created a minor firestorm with his comments about Brady on Wednesday, Bill Belichick refused to add fuel when asked about it. “I didn’t see [the comments],’’ the coach said. “But I mean I have a lot of respect for Carson Palmer. We’ve known Carson throughout the years, had him out at the Pro Bowl . . . I think he’s an outstanding person, outstanding quarterback, great competitor, and he has had a tremendous career.’’ . . . Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona was asked about 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s recent decision to kneel during the national anthem and the Navy grad simply said, “It’s his right to do that. It’s a right granted to all Americans under the First Amendment.’’ . . . Former Harvard guard Cole Toner is a rookie backup for the Cardinals and offensive tackle John Wetzel played at Boston College . . . This is the Patriots’ first regular-season trip to University of Phoenix Stadium. They have played in a pair of Super Bowls at the site, losing to the Giants in XLII and beating the Seahawks in XLIX . . . The Patriots are 45-11 against NFC teams since 2002, the best interconference record in the league during that span.
