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CNN Live At Daybreak

Patriots Coach Faces Tough Decision

Aired January 29, 2002 - 06:49   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: At a time when pro athletes complained to the media, Drew Bledsoe kept quiet. He kept his mouth shut, even though he was sitting, you know, on the sidelines. But he did speak up on the field on Sunday.

And as CNN's Tom Rinaldi reports, Bledsoe is now one side of a Super Bowl debate.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM RINALDI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The $103 million, the 126 days, the number two spot, and then the single moment when Drew Bledsoe knelt over the ball as the winning quarterback heading for the Super Bowl. A journey measured in feelings, not yards.

DREW BLEDSOE, PATRIOTS QUARTERBACK: It's just -- you know, really is a culmination of what has been a personally challenging year. I mean, to go through all that we've been through team-wise, and then to, you know, lose my quarterback coach in training camp and then to be 0 and 2 and get hurt and then not be able to get back on the field. I mean, it's been a personally -- you know, very challenging year. And to be new on the ball at the end of the game, it just got to be a little overwhelming.

RINALDI: One man's dream awakens into one team's controversy. With Tom Brady's sprained ankle already healing, Bill Belichick faces a week with one endless echoing question: Who starts Sunday?

BILL BELICHICK, PATRIOTS COACH: We'll take a look at Tom's situation and we'll make the evaluation there and we'll talk about that. We'll make a decision later on in the week.

TOM BRADY, PATRIOTS QUARTERBACK: I know I'll be prepared if they tell me to start. So, you know, as I've said all year, I'll be prepared. You know, if he says, "You're starting," I'm starting.

RINALDI (on camera): Do you expect to play Sunday?

BLEDSOE: I'm going to prepare as if I'm playing the game. And if that's not the case, obviously that will be, you know, disappointing. But I'm going to prepare as if I'm playing the game.

RINALDI (voice-over): Bledsoe played well enough Sunday to win, and has played already in the Super Bowl. Brady went from invisible to invincible this season. But his next stop was to injured. Players consistently praised both quarterbacks all season and believe both can win at season's end.

TROY BROWN, PATRIOTS RECEIVER: Both of these guys handled the situation very well. You know, Tom, you know, he didn't get all happy and start celebrating all this stuff because he had the starting job. And, Drew, you know, it was hard for him to step down. You know, he did it. He could have caused a major distraction for his team, but he didn't do it. And, you know, that's the kind of guy that he is.

LAWYER MILLOY, PATRIOTS SAFETY: I don't think any other team could say that they have two pro ball quarterbacks and not -- especially not a $100 million backup. So, you know, we like our chances whoever we throw out there.

RINALDI (on camera): It might seem like cold comfort to Bill Belichick, but he's had practice with controversy before. He has handled a rebellious Terry Glenn, a slow New England start, and of course the same quarterback question already, but then the Lombardi Trophy wasn't riding on his decision.

At Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans, I'm Tom Rinaldi.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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