FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots are preparing for what is expected to be one of the coldest home games in franchise history Sunday. So what’s the best way to get used to those conditions?
“Practice in them,” receiver Danny Amendola said after Thursday’s workout on the game field at Gillette Stadium.
Amendola said it was “cold as crap,” but that players shouldn’t be focused on the weather as much as the opponent, the New York Jets (who practiced indoors Thursday).
Sunday’s forecast is projected to be in the teens, with wind chill making it feel even more frigid. On Thursday afternoon, the Patriots’ crack public-relations staff sent out information to reporters on the coldest games in team history, and how the team has a 42-10 record in games played in temperatures at 34 degrees or lower (12-2 in the postseason).
Fullback James Develin, who wore short sleeves during the practice and aims to do so in the game, said that approach dates back to when he first started playing football and he carried it through to the NFL.
Meanwhile, special-teams captain Matthew Slater said it is about a 50-50 split between physical and mental when playing in the cold.
“There are things you can do as a player to make sure you keep yourself warm. Obviously, continue moving on the sidelines when you’re not in the game, utilize modern technology with the heated benches. I bet you Bart Starr didn’t have those,” Slater cracked.
“Then I think, obviously, mentally you have to be able to focus on doing your job and just executing. I think if you start overthinking it, then it takes the focus away from your execution and doing what you need to do on the field.”
The Patriots’ decision to practice outside is consistent with coach Bill Belichick’s philosophy of always practicing in the elements, with the thinking that the team will have to play in them at some point.
“We’re going to play outside so we need to practice execution becomes game reality,” Slater said. “Hopefully we executed today in that climate because I think it’s going to be something similar to it on Sunday. So I understand why Coach had us out there.”