Patriots notes: Bengals coach won't discuss video controversy
FOXBORO — Bill Belichick isn’t the only coach tired of talking about the recent Patriots videotaping scandal.
On Thursday, Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor, in a conference call with the New England media at Gillette Stadium, was clearly tired of this subject as well.
When asked his "general thoughts" on the recent incident, in which members of Kraft Sports Productions recorded Bengals sideline last Sunday in Cleveland, Taylor said, “I have no comment on that.”
Taylor also wouldn’t comment on whether the Bengals organization was “livid” or if he believed the Patriots' explanation of the situation. Overall, he said he didn’t have a comment or "no comment" five times.
When asked why he didn’t have a comment, the coach replied, “This is a tough opponent right now. We’re devoting all of our team making sure we’re prepared. That is where all of our focus is.”
When asked if he had any regrets with how this situation has played out, Taylor simply said, “No.”
The NFL currently has the video footage taken by the Patriots employees, who were filming an episode of “Do Your Job,” focusing on a scout who was at Sunday’s Bengals-Browns game. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league will have a thorough investigation. It’ll be up to the NFL to determine if the Patriots employees simply made a mistake or if something else nefarious was going on.
In terms of what the video captured, it’s fair to wonder what was seen that could’ve helped the Patriots. On Thursday, Taylor was asked if his coaches use hand signals on the sideline.
“I think like any team, we communicate visually and verbally depending on the environment we’re in,” Taylor said.
Taylor added that he felt like his team was doing a good job focusing this week amid the controversy.
“I do,” he said. “Our team does a great job of focusing on what is important and part of playing in the NFL is being able to eliminate distractions and so they can come in a lot of different forms — injuries, anything that can happen off the field. I have been really proud of the way our guys have focused this week.”
Van Noy honored
On Thursday, Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy was announced as the Patriots' nominee for the 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The honor recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service efforts off the field as well as excellence on the gridiron.
All 32 NFL teams nominated one player, and that individual receives a $50,000 donation to a charity of their choice. The winner, announced on Feb. 1, will be awarded a $250,000 donation for the charity of the winner's choice.
Van Noy and his wife, Marissa, started the Van Noy Valor Foundation. Their mission is to help adopted, fostered and disadvantaged youth who are in need. Van Noy was adopted as an infant, and his wife’s father and younger brother were both adopted, so it’s a cause that hits close to home for the couple.
“It is a great honor to be nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award,” Van Noy said. “Our foundation was put together so that we can share our stories and promote foster care and adoption and show how beautiful it is. It is meaningful because I have lived it, it is a part me and it is a part of my wife and her family. We understand the process, and we’ve seen the positive outcomes of the situation we are in. We like to share our message, and hopefully it inspires other families.”
As a nominee, Van Noy will wear a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year decal on his helmet for the rest of the 2019 season.
Back to practice
The Patriots had an important piece return to practice Thursday, but not all of the news was good.
Julian Edelman returned after missing Wednesday’s practice with a knee and shoulder injury. The Patriots' veteran receiver leads the team in receiving yards, receptions, yards per touch and receiving touchdowns. Simply put, Edelman’s return is huge for the Patriots.
On Thursday, the media saw two periods of Patriots practice. During those moments, Edelman looked solid while running agility drills and routes. The 33-year-old has been banged up this season — his shoulder injury routinely causes him pain while playing — but Edelman’s toughness continues to impress his teammates.
“It’s pretty amazing, man,” running back James White said. “That guy takes some hits. He’s physical, he’s tough, plays most of the snaps out there on offense. And to see what he deals with each and every week, and to go out there and be still running around, making plays — it’s amazing to see. He’s the ultimate competitor, man.”
The Patriots were missing left tackle Isaiah Wynn, who's dealing with an eye injury.
Wynn has battled health issues throughout his first two NFL seasons. Last year, the first-round pick missed the entire season due to a torn Achilles. This year, after starting the first two weeks, Wynn was placed on the injured reserve with a turf toe injury. Wynn returned in Week 12 and has started the last three games.
If Wynn, who practiced Wednesday, can’t play this Sunday in Cincinnati, the Patriots likely will turn to Marshall Newhouse. Newhouse started nine games this season for the Patriots, with eight coming at left tackle when Wynn went down.
Also limited at Thursday's practice were Ja'Whaun Bentley (knee), Byron Cowart (concussion), Ted Karras (knee), Jason McCourty (groin), Mohamed Sanu (ankle) and Danny Shelton (shoulder). Tom Brady (right elbow) and N'Keal Harry (hip) were listed on the injury report, but were full practice participants.