Being the biggest game on the NFL calendar, fan and media interest in the Super Bowl is immense. But while star players such as Drake Maye, Stefon Diggs or Christian Gonzalez are in the spotlight, not everybody on the New England Patriots’ roster (and the Seattle Seahawks’, for that matter) is confronted with a similar hubbub.
In fact, a significant portion of the team is spending the week leading up to the big game in relative anonymity. For every Drake Maye, there are several backup and emergency players on the 53-man roster or practice squad.
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Their names are unlikely to be called on Sunday, but they are playing important roles leading up to the Super Bowl — roles that are not going unnoticed by their teammates.
Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, for example, highlighted the team’s defensive backs when speaking with the media on Tuesday.
“Cornerbacks and safeties are secondary positions, they give us good looks,” Boutte said. “Whether that’s Miles Battle, Kobee Minor or anybody, honestly, they work day in day out and I don’t think people give them enough credit that they deserve.”
Battle and Minor are in their second and first years with the Patriots, respectively, but have only seen limited action for the team. In all, they have played a combined 170 snaps, with most of them coming on special teams.
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Special teams is also the forte of practice squad member Otis Reese, as highlighted by fellow linebacker Christian Elliss.
“Someone who always gets me ready, he’s in our linebacker room, is Otis,” Ellis said. “Whenever I’m on punt team, he’s probably the hardest look. I don’t care who I’ve gone up against on Sundays, he is the hardest look I will ever get.”
A former undrafted free agent, who started his career in Tennessee and Buffalo, Reese only arrived in New England in November. And yet, he has left an apparent impact on Ellis.
The same is true for sophomore offensive lineman Caedan Wallace.
“He plays guard for us and his grip strength is second to none,” Elliss explained. “I try to rip off some blocks, I’m like, ‘Alright, bro.’ I either need to get stronger, I need to learn how to chop his hands down. ‘I can’t let you touch me.’ He’s been an amazing practice player for us, too. All of our guys have done a really good job at getting us good looks and making sure that we’re ready to play.”
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That is also the job of third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito. Since arriving in New England as a waiver claim in late August, the former New York Giants starter has played a valuable role for the team.
“That’s a tough proposition to have, is just coming in at the end of training camp and trying to get acclimated offensively,” said head coach Mike Vrabel. “To his credit, he’s done a really nice job, works with guys and receivers on Mondays, maybe guys that are on the practice squad or that didn’t play in the game. Ashton [Grant] takes those guys up there and is able to work through our system, and then they’ll walk through whatever reps happen today that Tommy didn’t get or what he normally doesn’t get to be ready to play. I have enjoyed the time here with Tommy.”
Neither DeVito, nor Wallace, Reese, Battle or Minor will play prominent if any roles on Sunday against Seattle. And yet, their contributions are not insignificant either.
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