Falcons rookie Robert Alford will provide a weekly diary for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution this season.
The Hammond, La., native who played at Southeastern Louisiana, intercepted Saints quarterback Drew Brees in his NFL debut. This week, he’s getting ready to face superstar quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots on “Sunday Night Football.”
Here’s his fourth installment, as told to D. Orlando Ledbetter.
Pretty much, I haven’t been able to do anything as far as seeing Atlanta or getting around the city. The bottom line is that it’s in-season time and I’ve been focused on football, myself and just getting better. I may catch a movie every now-a-then, but nothing else.
I’ve been feeling confident since Day 1. Every receiver that’s in the National Football League is here for a reason. They have a certain talent. Just because (the New England receivers) are young just like us, doesn’t mean you can treat them like they are rookies. You have to treat them like they are veterans and go after them hard like everyone else.
I’m looking forward to playing New England. The other defensive backs have been telling me that Tom Brady is a very smart quarterback. He has a very strong arm, and he knows their offense real well. Anytime that he can take advantage of a rookie cornerback, he’s going to do it.
My preparation won’t be any different. … Just do what you do. Just because he’s Tom Brady and the top quarterback in the National Football League, you just have to play your game, trust in the coaches and do what you’re supposed to do. I plan on talking to Asante Samuel because he played with Tom Brady, so I’m pretty sure that he knows a lot of his tendencies.
After the disappointing loss to Miami, there isn’t anything that we can’t overcome, but they run a lot of stuff. In their past two games they ran a lot of different things.
About the Author
