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Karen Guregian: For Patriots longest tenured players, an AFC title game ‘almost doesn’t feel real’
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- Karen Guregian: For Patriots longest tenured players, an AFC title game ‘almost doesn’t feel real’
FOXBOROUGH - Amid the euphoria inside the Patriots locker room following their playoff win over the Houston Texans , the look on Jahlani Tavai ’s face told one of many stories.
He was sitting at his locker, alone with his thoughts.
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He was looking around the room, watching his teammates celebrate, making sure to take it all in. The reality of advancing to the AFC Championship game after the 28-16 win over Texans was slowly sinking in. Soon a warm smile came over Tavai’s face.
What was he feeling?
“Joy,” Tavai said. “Excitement, just (exhaling) ... this is a new feeling for me. I’m going to just enjoy it with my family and my teammates. But come tomorrow, we’re turning the page.”
In his fifth season in New England , Tavai is one of the longest standing members of the team.
He began as a member of the practice squad in 2021, a year the Patriots reached the playoffs, only to get blown out by the Buffalo Bills in the wild card game.
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He took on a more prominent role during the following years but those years were losing seasons without a prayer of contending for much outside of gaining the top pick in the draft.
Tavai was in Detroit before becoming a Patriot, so he was very familiar with the feeling of losing even before landing in Foxborough.
Now the Patriots have a date with the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game, one win away from the Super Bowl.
After a trying year for the linebacker personally - he’s had to deal with the loss of an unborn child, and being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease - Tavai was more than ready to feel that joy.
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And embrace it for all it was worth.
The team’s Ed Block Courage Award winner, given to players who “best exemplify the principles of courage and sportsmanship while also serving as a symbol of professionalism and dedication,” further explained what was flashing through his mind.
“I think it means a (expletive) ton to everybody that’s been working their tail off this whole year,” Tavai said. “No matter when they came in, it means everything to everybody. Like I said, I don’t know this feeling because I’ve never experienced it.”
Anfernee Jennings and Michael Onwenu , members of the 2020 draft class, are the longest-standing members of the Patriots. The feeling was new to them, as well.
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Like Tavai, they’ve had their share of down years. While they know all about the Patriots decorated past, the six Super Bowl wins that spanned two decades, that hasn’t been their reality.
Their years have been marked by losing, coaching changes and tons of player turnover.
Their efforts this year - winning 14 games, claiming the AFC East - have made all of that a footnote.
After back-to-back four-win seasons, the arrival of Mike Vrabel, the emergence of second-year quarterback Drake Maye , and a defense that’s hitting its peak at the right time, the Patriots are not only back in the winner’s circle, they have a chance to claim the top prize.
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At the outset, no one believed it could happen, except for those in the locker room.
“I’m feeling joy,” Onwenu said, echoing Tavai’s words. “I feel happy. There’s a couple of guys that’s been here for a long time ... but I feel really good. I’m real happy for everyone else. Everyone has earned this. We’ve put the work in since this summer. I’m just glad it’s shown up, and we have another opportunity to show that.”
Both Hunter Henry and Rhamondre Stevenson arrived the same year as Tavai. They’ve been around the past five years without much to show for it, until now.
“It’s very gratifying. Being here for a few years, never being in this position, I’m going to make the most of it,” Stevenson said. “Put my best foot forward and hopefully get another win next weekend. Take advantage of the opportunity we have.”
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As much joy as there was around the locker room, the players are far from being content with their season. As Vrabel said in his post-game press conference, they’re not “satisfied” merely getting to the title game out in Denver next weekend. They want more.
“The job is not done. We’re going to embrace and enjoy this moment,” Tavai said. “But come tomorrow, it’s on to Denver.”
Following the turnover-filled victory in wintry conditions, Jennings agreed there’s no reason for the Patriots to feel satisfied. They love how far they’ve come, but it’s certainly not their end game. There’s much more in store.
“We have other goals we want to accomplish,” Jennings said. “You can just control what you can control, try and stay ready, but this is what you play for. You just put the work in, and if you get the opportunity, try to make the most of it.”
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Henry, meanwhile, was pinching himself, making sure it was all real and not a dream.
“Oh man. Gosh, what a blessing to just be in this situation, be in this moment,” the veteran tight end said. “Gosh, it almost doesn’t feel real in a way, but I’m pumped, I’m excited. I’m really, really excited man. I’m just filled with a lot of gratitude and a lot of joy.”
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