The New England Patriots won’t be overlooking the New York Jets in Week 11.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye explained why during his media availability on Tuesday, November 11.
“Yeah, it’s awesome, I think it is exciting. This is what we wanted — night games that give something for our fans to cheer for. I think this is it. [This] is an in-division opponent, obviously some bad blood, always with the Patriots and the Jets, so a lot of history. I think it should be fun and exciting, and it should be a fun atmosphere,” Maye said.
New England will host the Jets to kick off Week 11 in the NFL on Thursday Night Football in front of a national audience.
There Is No Love Lost Between the Jets and Patriots
In 2013, the New York Post put out a story highlighting “10 bad-blood moments between Jets and Patriots.”
That list included Bill Parcells ditching the Patriots to join the Jets in 1997. Bill Belichick announced his resignation as the Jets’ head coach on a napkin to bolt to New England.
Legendary Jets linebacker Mo Lewis knocked Drew Bledsoe out of a game in 2001 that opened the door for Tom Brady to take over. The history goes on and on from Spygate, to not kissing Belichick’s rings, Rex Ryan, can’t wait game, and the butt fumble.
However, a lot more has happened since 2013 that has added to this crazy rivalry.
This offseason alone featured Mike Vrabel interviewing for the vacant NYJ HC gig. It was the first HC interview that Vrabel took. Then he spurned the Jets for the Patriots.
NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY revealed on “Jets Final Drive” that when Vrabel was about to sign his new deal to become the New England HC, the Jets made one last-ditch effort. They asked him if there was anything they could do to change his mind, whether that be more money, a longer contract, more power, etc. He declined and joined the Jets’ arch-nemesis.
Before Vrabel was hired, the Patriots requested to interview then-Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. He declined the interview.
Vrabel Gives Coach Glenn a Lot of Credit
When Coach Vrabel was asked about what he thought of the Jets and head coach Aaron Glenn, he was effusive in his praise.
“I see a young, excited team that basically said this is what we are gonna do for our future, and we are not gonna complain about it, and we are not gonna mope about it. We are gonna play hard, we are gonna use our speed, we are gonna use Breece [Hall], we are going to use our return units that are sensational, [and] we are gonna play tough defense,” Vrabel said.
“Give them credit, a lot of teams or people could have been complaining. Hey, we got rid of one of the best defensive linemen in the league, the corner, and everything else. That didn’t show up at all. I saw an energy, I saw an excitement, that jumped off the screen, so this will be a challenge. I know they’re going to be ready to go on the road and we’ll have to continue to prepare and ultimately play well,” Vrabel added.
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