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Mike Vrabel, Patriots players thank fans for helping create memorable night
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- Mike Vrabel, Patriots players thank fans for helping create memorable night
FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots loved the advantage their “12th Man” gave them during Sunday night’s playoff win over the LA Chargers .
From the coaching staff, to the players, everyone noticed the noise and electric atmosphere at Gillette Stadium. The fans had their A-game from start to finish.
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And it was appreciated.
During his Monday press conference, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged the crowd.
“I thought (the atmosphere) was amazing,” said Vrabel, who’s had plenty of experiences both as a player, and now as head coach. “Our willingness to play to a style that our fans appreciate, we’ve talked about that for as long as I remember.
“That if we play to a certain style, they’ll embrace that, they’ll cheer for us. What we do here from the stadium perspective, from the introductions to the fireworks, that’s all part of it. We’re in the entertainment business. We have to provide things for people to get excited about. So I appreciate the way that our fans have been here, the way that they’ve travelled, you can’t say enough about them.”
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Kicker Andy Borregales , who booted three field goals, couldn’t help but notice the noise, the heightened decibel level and the advantage it gave the Patriots .
“The crowd was electric,” Borregales said Monday. “It was so loud at some points in the game ... it definitely showed in our performance. We definitely feed off the crowd. And hopefully, the crowd feeds off us.”
Following the game, Patriots captain Marcus Jones put the crowd advantage into perspective.
“Oh, I loved it. I would definitely say the fans were loud, and you could tell by the false starts that the Chargers had that everything made a difference within the game,” Jones said. “And then the home atmosphere, having everyone be loud and everything like that for the offense. Also, making it hard for the opposing teams on the defensive side. We love it.”
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Center Garrett Bradbury said the atmosphere was “the best I’ve seen it” since he’s been here in Foxborough.
It was something to remember.
“The place was rocking,” Bradbury said. “Coming out, running out of the tunnel for the game was the most electric I’ve seen it here. The fans were in it, the stands were full.
“We kept saying on the sideline, in the fourth quarter, they’re playing those AC/DC songs, this is football. This is why you play . . . it was a special night. It was fun.”
Tight end Hunter Henry loved being on the home team.
“That was really special and elite. It was really cool to be a part of, it really was,” Henry said. “We all felt the energy. Just thankful for Pats Nation and for coming out and for supporting. That was really a special night.”
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