Patriots gridiron news: David Andrews details instant bond with Tom Brady

New England Patriots center David Andrews has formed a strong bond with Tom Brady, one that extends beyond the football field. 

Just nine years old when Tom Brady won his first Super Bowl with the New England Patriots, center David Andrews now shares the field with a man he both looks up to and hands the ball off to throughout the NFL season.

Speaking to the media Thursday, Andrews reflected on his first introduction to the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback and how he has helped him succeed as a professional football player.

"“I think even from the beginning, Tom did a great job making me feel welcomed, I guess,” Andrews said, via Patriots.com.  “He knew my name the first day I was able to meet him.  I was blown away by that as an undrafted rookie – that this guy took the time to learn my name.  It’s been a pleasure working with him, as it is a lot of those guys in that room.  I think he just does a great job of welcoming guys, and I think it’s become a little bit more comfortable.  We’ve worked together for a while now, and it’s been good.”"

The 25-year-old center has taken a similar road to Brady in achieving success in the NFL. While only in his third season, David Andrews made the team as an undrafted rookie in 2015.  During that season, he started 11 games and then beat out Bryan Stork for the starting job in 2016.

Now, as part of one of the most important bonds on the football field, Andrews realizes he is a part of something special.  When asked about that bond between center and quarterback, Andrews summed it up nicely by referencing the information the two have to share on the field.

"“It’s kind of a special relationship I guess,” Andrews said.  “Maybe a pitcher and catcher, maybe?  I didn’t play baseball that long so I can’t really speak on that but it kind of seems that everywhere – at any level of football there’s kind of a special relationship with – because it all starts with you two and it’s kind of your job to relay information to your other guys from him.  I’m relaying information back to him.  The big thing is just us being on the same page and I think we’ve done a pretty good job of that here.  So we’ve just go to keep going.”"

That communication will be critical going up against a deep defensive front like the Philadelphia Eagles.

Encouraging news on Rob Gronkowski 

It looks as though Patriots All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski will suit up in Minneapolis for Super Bowl LII.

Despite not practicing Thursday, Kirk Minihane of WEEI’s “Kirk & Callahan Show” reported that sources told him that the big tight end “will absolutely be good to go” for the team’s big matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Rob Gronkowski will still need to pass the concussion protocol, but given that the Super Bowl is still over a week away, he should have sufficient time to do so.

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After missing Super Bowl LI due to his back surgery, it’s a good bet Gronk will do everything necessary to be a part of the team’s quest for a sixth Lombardi Trophy.

By the way, he did make a promise fans last February.

“Straight enemy mode”

Former New England Patriots and current Philadelphia Eagles running back LeGarrette Blount made it clear on Thursday that he has no friends on his former team.  At least until after the big game.

Speaking to reporters, Blount simply drew the line between any bond he has with his former teammates and the Eagles task to win a championship.

"“Straight enemy mode,” Blount said, via WEEI.  “Ain’t no friends.  No homies.  None of that. We know what we’re going to do, they know what they’re going to do, we’ve got the same goal in mind.  It ain’t no hard feelings, it just is what it is.”"

Next: Ranking the New England Patriots first 9 Super Bowl appearances

Blount has been a part of two Super Bowl winning teams in New England, including last year.  If the Eagles are victorious, he will win back-to-back Super Bowls as a player.  If they are not, he will watch his former team win their third championship in four years, sixth since 2001.