Three-and-out with Patriots radio color commentator Gino Cappelletti

Each week we'll talk to former Patriots star and current broadcaster Gino Cappelletti. This week, Gino talked about the impacts that NT Vince Wilfork and CB Devin McCourty are having on the defense and why the Patriots excel in the snow.

PFW: How important has NT Vince Wilfork's play been this season?
Cappelletti: He picks up that D-line every now and then. In this game (against the Packers), he was really getting a good push up the middle and made it difficult for (Matt) Flynn to step up in the pocket. With the rush coming from the edge, the quarterback is supposed to step up into that pocket, but Wilfork was very instrumental in pushing the interior part of that line back into Flynn's face. They move him all over and to defensive end. He was taking care of things nicely, playing a two-gap, going in one gap or the other and trying to find his way in there. He's been a solid performer for them.

PFW: How impressed have you been with CB Devin McCourty?
Cappelletti: He certainly has been able to stay with receivers longer and tighter than what you might expect from a rookie. He's making a good read on what pattern is being run. He shows a knack for the ball, turns around and finds the ball, which is all good. He is very much in tune to what their breaks and cuts are and he reacts to it quickly.

PFW: Why are the Patriots so good in the snow?
Cappelletti: They are taught, and they have accepted it, that they're not playing the weather but they're playing the Bills this week, like they played the Bears two weeks ago. That's the opponent, not the weather. Bill (Belichick) has been able to get through to them on that. They just ignore the weather and play the game. Tom Brady throws the ball as well as anyone in bad weather because he doesn't think about it. He's not losing the handle. He's throwing passes the way they have to be thrown for a reception to be made. He's an excellent pass thrower and he doesn't let the weather affect him. Somewhere along the line, winds could affect it, but (Brady) doesn't make any allowances for it; he plays like it's normal conditions.

 

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