Long Doesn’t Bye Into The Narrative
Eagles DE Chris Long says possible Patriots issues didn't affect play: 'It took everything for us to beat them'https://t.co/32PP3sKDgt pic.twitter.com/kw5dUEm0b8
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) July 15, 2018
It’s quite expected that a former Patriot who has seen the inside of the organization would comment on the ‘rift’ that has formed within the New England Patriots. But to know it was the eventual Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles, is another. Defensive End Chris Long a few days held a phone interview on the The Glass Half Empty podcast with his brother and Chicago Bear’s Guard, Kyle Long. He decided to shed some light on what he felt about the recent narrative that has been building up in the media after the Patriot Super Bowl LII loss. (Begins at 6:48)
“When you are one of the hall mark franchises in the sports world, I think everyone’s going to pay attention to, sometimes to really small issues. Whatever people are alluding to going on up there hasn’t affected their play, it hasn’t affected their bottom line. It hasn’t affected how they executed on Sundays. And that’s what they pride themselves in.”
“It took everything for us to beat them”
Chris Long didn’t say anything that is shocking to New England fans. The Patriots for years now have been nitpicked by the media (especially the Boston sports media) over many issues. However, Head Coach Bill Belichick has always toned out the media and narratives. Never buying into it and always staying focused on the game plan come Sunday. It’s one of many reasons why the team has remained the gold standard of the football world.
The Eagles had many things go there way last year that resulted in them winning the Super Bowl. (And can likely repeat as contenders unless something disastrous comes there way) Long knew coming into Super Bowl LII that the game would go down to the wire.
“It took a heroic performance by Nick Foles and we had to play our best game. So while everybody likes to always point to the Patriots as being under duress or there’s some drama in the locker room, there’s drama in every locker room that you could blow out of proportion. They’re just on top and those stories sell because they’ve been so great.”
This news was one that comes from someone who saw the 2016 season play out with Jimmy Garoppolo starting, Brady’s suspension, and the inner workings of the team’s locker room. Chris may now be with the Eagles, but his voice comes from a true professional. He may no longer be with the team, but he knows not to buy into story-lines and just focus on getting ready for football season. The Philadelphia Eagles play the Atlanta Falcons on September 6th to kick off the 2018 NFL season.
