Belichick and players happy with Patriots response to Covid-19

In a world with Covid-19, it might not seem like the smartest idea to get 80 players on a couple of practice fields along with coaches, trainers and medical staff. In fact, it might seem like a recipe for disaster.

This offseason, it hasn’t been rare to see an NFL team place a player or multiple players on the league Covid-19 reserve list. What has been rare is that the Patriots are one of a handful of teams to have had zero players test positive for coronavirus and no [...]

In a world with Covid-19, it might not seem like the smartest idea to get 80 players on a couple of practice fields along with coaches, trainers and medical staff. In fact, it might seem like a recipe for disaster.

This offseason, it hasn’t been rare to see an NFL team place a player or multiple players on the league Covid-19 reserve list. What has been rare is that the Patriots are one of a handful of teams to have had zero players test positive for coronavirus and no players placed on that reserve list.

On Monday, Bill Belichick and a handful of players praised the organization for the way it’s been handling players being back at practice while there’s a health pandemic happening in the country.

"I think that the team and the organization have addressed this very professionally, strictly, and we've changed quite a bit as more information or different techniques or products or whatever have become available or our information has changed," Belichick said. ""So, we've been very fluid with this, the players have done a great job of following protocols, and we've also had a lot of great feedback from the players on things, suggestions... So, I think we're working together, but we've got a long way to go."

Of course, a big problem with Covid-19 is once an outbreak happens, it’s tough to stop. That would certainly be the case in an environment that has 80 players playing football in training camp. The NFL does have protocols in place for each team and places like Gillette Stadium are being diligent with masks, social distancing and even locker room renovations.

On Monday, players said they feel safe within the confines of the stadium.

"Honestly, the staff, everyone here in this building have done a tremendous job of just trying to make everything as safe and as at home as possible," said Terrence Brooks. "Other than wearing a mask, I think we’re all still in the same flow. They still put the ball down on the field, and we still play the same way. I don’t think too much has changed. That just shows how great the staff is, and how much they care about making it safe for us, as well as themselves."

"It's a serious thing, but I think our guys were really responsible," added Stephon Gilmore. "You try to protect each other as much as possible. I think the Patriots are doing a great job of trying to protect us all, so we're just trying to do the right thing each and every day to protect each other."

Said Chase Winovich: "These are the guidelines that are set and we’re following them to a tee. The coaches and administration have done a good job of implementing those and the team has done a great job of enforcing those."

mdaniels@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @MarkDanielsPJ