WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:01.635  (female announcer)   This is a production 00:01.635 --> 00:04.037  of WKNO-Memphis. 00:04.037 --> 00:06.573  Production funding for    "Sports Files" is made possible 00:06.573 --> 00:08.442  in part by.. 00:08.442 --> 00:09.743  (male announcer)   Infiniti of Memphis has moved 00:09.743 --> 00:13.080  to Germantown road just half a   mile north of Wolfchase Galleria 00:13.080 --> 00:16.216  and is proud to support W-K-N-O   for its quality broadcasting 00:16.216 --> 00:17.618  and service to our community. 00:17.618 --> 00:20.020  Quality and service --    No wonder Infiniti of Memphis 00:20.020 --> 00:23.023  feels home on W-K-N-O.. 00:31.465 --> 00:34.234 My guest today on "Sports Files" is New England Patriots kicker 00:34.234 --> 00:36.603 and former Memphis Tiger Stephen Gostkowski. 00:36.603 --> 00:54.087 [theme music] 00:54.087 --> 00:56.423 It was pretty apparent to the New England Patriots back in 00:56.423 --> 01:00.394 2006 that Stephen Gostkowski was going to be a top flight N-F-L 01:00.394 --> 01:01.395 kicker. 01:01.395 --> 01:02.396 Why? 01:02.396 --> 01:04.798 Well, they took Gostkowski in the fourth round of the N-F-L 01:04.798 --> 01:05.799 draft. 01:05.799 --> 01:07.634 Rarified air for a placekicker. 01:07.634 --> 01:10.704 At the University of Memphis, the young man affectionately 01:10.704 --> 01:13.874 known as "Gotti" would go on to break record after record. 01:13.874 --> 01:18.679 In fact his career 369 points, would rank him 13th on the 01:18.679 --> 01:21.214 all-time division 1-A scoring list. 01:21.214 --> 01:24.184 After being drafted by the Pats, Gotti would have to beat out 01:24.184 --> 01:26.186 veteran Marteen Grammatica for the job. 01:26.186 --> 01:27.454 And he did. 01:27.454 --> 01:28.622 The rest is history! 01:28.622 --> 01:32.259 Three N-F-L scoring titles, two trips to the Pro Bowl, 01:32.259 --> 01:35.996 an all-pro selection and two appearances in the Super Bowl. 01:35.996 --> 01:39.299 And there is plenty more big kicks left in that right leg of 01:39.299 --> 01:40.300 his. 01:40.300 --> 01:42.569 Today, Stephen Gostkowski joins me to talk about the Pats 01:42.569 --> 01:45.939 chances this season and about his career to date, 01:45.939 --> 01:49.009 a career that has placed him among the elite placekickers of 01:49.009 --> 01:50.043 all-time. 01:50.043 --> 01:52.045 It's next on "Sports Files." 01:52.045 --> 02:02.556 [theme music] 02:02.556 --> 02:03.657 Gotti, it's great to see you again. 02:03.657 --> 02:04.257 How ya been? 02:04.257 --> 02:05.258 Doing good. 02:05.258 --> 02:06.259 How are you? 02:06.259 --> 02:07.260 I'm doing fantastic. 02:07.260 --> 02:09.296 I knew you'd come here in the summer for a short time before 02:09.296 --> 02:11.298 you head back up to New England. 02:11.298 --> 02:12.299 How's the family? 02:12.299 --> 02:13.300 It's growing. 02:13.300 --> 02:14.301 I know that. 02:14.301 --> 02:16.303 Yeah, I got two little boys now, four and one years old. 02:16.303 --> 02:17.304 And they love it down here. 02:17.304 --> 02:20.007 It's a little too hot for them and the dog sometimes but it 02:20.007 --> 02:22.309 stinks we've got to be up in New England during the cold and down 02:22.309 --> 02:23.844 here during the heat. 02:23.844 --> 02:26.079 So maybe I can switch that around one of these days. 02:26.079 --> 02:27.080 Kids keep you busy. 02:27.080 --> 02:29.082 A whole different perspective on life now, 02:29.082 --> 02:30.083 right? 02:30.083 --> 02:31.084 Oh, yeah, definitely. 02:31.084 --> 02:33.086 Makes going to work a lot easier, 02:33.086 --> 02:35.088 you know, to have something really more important than 02:35.088 --> 02:36.089 football at home. 02:36.089 --> 02:39.326 It makes all of what I, uh, think is a struggle or a daily 02:39.326 --> 02:43.196 complaint or something that can happen at practice or at work 02:43.196 --> 02:46.733 doesn't seem to be that big of a deal. 02:46.733 --> 02:48.935 You're in your ninth year in the N-F-L. 02:48.935 --> 02:51.838 Has the time just breezed by or not? 02:51.838 --> 02:54.007 Uh, I would say yeah. 02:54.007 --> 02:56.009 I mean a lot of things happened. 02:56.009 --> 02:58.011 I got married, had kids, you know, 02:58.011 --> 03:00.180 moved away from, um, the South and, 03:00.180 --> 03:07.287 um, I've had mostly, um, large majority of my career has been 03:07.287 --> 03:08.288 successful. 03:08.288 --> 03:10.290 There's been a few hiccups in the road as there is in 03:10.290 --> 03:13.026 anybody's athletic, uh, career. 03:13.026 --> 03:15.462 Uh, and we've won a lot of games, 03:15.462 --> 03:16.496 which helps, you know. 03:16.496 --> 03:19.533 Hasn't quite closed it out and won the big one. 03:19.533 --> 03:21.535 But we're in contention every year. 03:21.535 --> 03:23.537 We're in the play-offs almost every year, 03:23.537 --> 03:25.939 which makes the seasons go by really fast. 03:25.939 --> 03:28.975 And when you're doing well, it just flies by. 03:28.975 --> 03:32.312 And sometimes, you know, the days go by really slow and 03:32.312 --> 03:33.313 you're struggling. 03:33.313 --> 03:35.315 But, um, luckily with my position, 03:35.315 --> 03:37.317 if you struggle too much, they just cut you. 03:37.317 --> 03:39.519 So, you know, if you're around, you're doing something good. 03:39.519 --> 03:42.255 Well, I think you're modest because you're certainly one of 03:42.255 --> 03:44.691 the most prolific kickers to ever play the game. 03:44.691 --> 03:47.427 It is pretty amazing when you look at the Patriots, 03:47.427 --> 03:49.429 Adam Vinatieri, Stephen Gostkowski. 03:49.429 --> 03:51.431 That's been it for so many years. 03:51.431 --> 03:53.433 We were talking before we started taping this. 03:53.433 --> 03:55.435 There are teams that go through four or five kickers in a year 03:55.435 --> 03:56.436 and they're struggling. 03:56.436 --> 03:57.437 So, that's pretty amazing. 03:57.437 --> 03:59.439 Well, you know, a lot goes in to that. 03:59.439 --> 04:00.373 You know, you find one. 04:00.373 --> 04:01.374 You kind of want to keep him. 04:01.374 --> 04:07.013 And sometimes, uh, depending on where our team is in that 04:07.013 --> 04:10.617 season, they don't have time to wait around and give the guy a 04:10.617 --> 04:13.153 proper -- enough time to really settle in because it's tough to 04:13.153 --> 04:15.755 come in as a rookie in any position, 04:15.755 --> 04:19.926 let alone one where you only get a couple of screw-ups a year. 04:19.926 --> 04:20.927 Right. 04:20.927 --> 04:24.464 To do well and mentally, it's just a tough position to be at. 04:24.464 --> 04:28.001 Um, you know, I've seen guys that are really talented that 04:28.001 --> 04:29.636 just can't handle it mentally. 04:29.636 --> 04:33.807 And then, there's guys like me that are too dumb to know any 04:33.807 --> 04:34.808 better. 04:34.808 --> 04:36.143 So, uh, you know, it's nice. 04:36.143 --> 04:39.613 I struggled a little bit my rookie year but not anything 04:39.613 --> 04:41.414 that costs us games. 04:41.414 --> 04:44.284 And I got to work through it and the team always showed a lot of 04:44.284 --> 04:45.285 confidence in me. 04:45.285 --> 04:47.721 And, um, I think that helps out a lot. 04:47.721 --> 04:49.723 You see some of these teams where, 04:49.723 --> 04:52.192 you know, the kicker misses on kick and they're quick to point 04:52.192 --> 04:55.095 the finger and think that's the only thing that's keeping them 04:55.095 --> 04:58.331 from winning games, which it takes a lot more than one 04:58.331 --> 05:00.567 player, no matter what position, to win games. 05:00.567 --> 05:04.571 How long did it take once you were in the N-F-L with the 05:04.571 --> 05:08.508 Patriots to become, you know, part of the gang? 05:08.508 --> 05:11.378 You were open with, you know, open arms and warm hearts. 05:11.378 --> 05:13.380 And they said, "Alright, Stephen, 05:13.380 --> 05:14.881 "you're a part of us now." 05:14.881 --> 05:17.250 I'm sure it took a little time before you got that. 05:17.250 --> 05:19.886 Yeah, I mean, you're told the first couple of days, 05:19.886 --> 05:22.556 especially when you're rookie, don't try to run with the 05:22.556 --> 05:23.557 veterans. 05:23.557 --> 05:24.591 A lot of them have kids. 05:24.591 --> 05:25.792 They have wives. 05:25.792 --> 05:28.995 They, you know, have millions upon millions of dollars. 05:28.995 --> 05:31.531 And you come in and you can't just jump in and expect to be 05:31.531 --> 05:33.266 accepted right away. 05:33.266 --> 05:36.670 So, I think it's something that's got to be earned 05:36.670 --> 05:37.671 naturally. 05:37.671 --> 05:39.673 You can't just force is upon people. 05:39.673 --> 05:43.710 And I went in with the attitude that people are either going to 05:43.710 --> 05:45.412 like me or they're not. 05:45.412 --> 05:46.413 Right. 05:46.413 --> 05:49.783 You know, after my rookie year, I pretty much felt accepted by 05:49.783 --> 05:50.784 most everybody. 05:50.784 --> 05:51.818 It took a while. 05:51.818 --> 05:55.522 I mean there's a lot of intimidating people on the team 05:55.522 --> 05:58.191 when I first got there with, you know, 05:58.191 --> 06:00.160 Tom Brady, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, 06:00.160 --> 06:01.161 Richard Seymour. 06:01.161 --> 06:02.162 Bill Belichick! 06:02.162 --> 06:03.163 Bill Belichick. 06:03.163 --> 06:05.198 Well, me and Bill don't hang out too much. 06:05.198 --> 06:08.301 No, but, you know, I made a lot of really good friends up there. 06:08.301 --> 06:13.106 You know, I've always wanted people to get to know me for me 06:13.106 --> 06:15.809 and not because, uh, I kick or do anything else. 06:15.809 --> 06:18.511 And I feel like I've made a lot of friends that way. 06:18.511 --> 06:21.681 Not to mention, you follow Adam Vinatieri. 06:21.681 --> 06:24.985 You followed a guy who was adored and did so many great 06:24.985 --> 06:26.152 things for the Patriots. 06:26.152 --> 06:27.420 So, you talk about pressure. 06:27.420 --> 06:29.422 You were drafted in the fourth round, 06:29.422 --> 06:31.424 which is very rare for a kicker anyway. 06:31.424 --> 06:33.493 And you said that you were a little surprised by that. 06:33.493 --> 06:36.162 So, you would think that there would be natural pressure. 06:36.162 --> 06:38.164 But you really handled that well. 06:38.164 --> 06:40.166 And the rest is history so far in your career. 06:40.166 --> 06:42.802 But that was big shoes to fill, to jump right in there after 06:42.802 --> 06:45.038 Adam Vinatieri and replace him. 06:45.038 --> 06:49.075 Yeah, I think its pressure enough just to be in the N-F-L. 06:49.075 --> 06:53.013 So, and I don't know if anyone's ever put more pressure on me 06:53.013 --> 06:54.381 than myself. 06:54.381 --> 06:56.383 I've always been my own worst enemy, 06:56.383 --> 06:57.384 my own worst critic. 06:57.384 --> 06:59.953 I get more upset at myself if I, uh, 06:59.953 --> 07:04.291 screw up or have a bad play than anyone else in the stands or in 07:04.291 --> 07:06.059 the media could ever, you know. 07:06.059 --> 07:08.094 And I don't even listen to what anybody says, 07:08.094 --> 07:12.599 good or bad, about my football career because it just doesn't 07:12.599 --> 07:13.600 do any better. 07:13.600 --> 07:14.601 I know what I'm doing well. 07:14.601 --> 07:16.836 And if people talk nice about me, 07:16.836 --> 07:19.239 it can -- You can tend to get a big head about it. 07:19.239 --> 07:21.741 And then, if, you know, people are talking bad about you and 07:21.741 --> 07:25.378 you get ticked off, you want to go out and prove everybody 07:25.378 --> 07:26.379 wrong. 07:26.379 --> 07:28.481 And I just feel like that's a distraction that I don't need. 07:28.481 --> 07:32.085 And if I focus on just making kicks and helping the team win 07:32.085 --> 07:35.689 then I'm doing it right and that's what I've tried to 07:35.689 --> 07:36.690 stress. 07:36.690 --> 07:39.192 The team sets you up in a good situation. 07:39.192 --> 07:42.429 As you know in New England, we're not looking to read every 07:42.429 --> 07:46.299 media outlet and read every story that's written about us. 07:46.299 --> 07:47.500 We don't. 07:47.500 --> 07:50.036 You know, no offense to the writers but, 07:50.036 --> 07:53.473 you know, they're not basing the game plan off what the people in 07:53.473 --> 07:54.474 the Boston Globe say. 07:54.474 --> 07:58.078 We worry about what we need to do and our job and everything 07:58.078 --> 07:59.579 else takes care of itself. 07:59.579 --> 08:02.615 From the media standpoint, on the outside looking in, 08:02.615 --> 08:04.851 you always hear stories about -- Wow! 08:04.851 --> 08:07.954 In the N-B-A, the Spurs is the best organization without 08:07.954 --> 08:08.955 question. 08:08.955 --> 08:11.524 In Major League Baseball, the Cardinals. 08:11.524 --> 08:14.361 In the N-F-L, we always hear about the Patriots way. 08:14.361 --> 08:16.463 I mean how great of an organization is it? 08:16.463 --> 08:18.465 And it's the only organization you've known. 08:18.465 --> 08:21.534 I don't know any different but it's such a great place to be. 08:21.534 --> 08:24.304 And Mister Craft -- I can't imagine there being a more 08:24.304 --> 08:29.976 personable owner and someone who truly cares about his players. 08:29.976 --> 08:32.512 You know, guys got more money than he, 08:32.512 --> 08:34.514 you know, knows what to do with. 08:34.514 --> 08:35.648 All those owners do. 08:35.648 --> 08:36.649 Sure. 08:36.649 --> 08:38.651 And you can have a one-on-one conversation about him. 08:38.651 --> 08:40.787 He called me after I had my kids. 08:40.787 --> 08:43.623 You know, he called me after I had a surgery. 08:43.623 --> 08:46.192 He called my wife out of surgery one time. 08:46.192 --> 08:47.627 Just he -- for a.. 08:47.627 --> 08:50.764 Especially in a place, in a profession where there's a lot 08:50.764 --> 08:53.032 of turnover, we have, you know, 15, 08:53.032 --> 08:55.668 20, 30 new guys on the team every year. 08:55.668 --> 08:59.339 I think he does a really good job of balancing professionalism 08:59.339 --> 09:00.273 and personalism. 09:00.273 --> 09:03.777 I can't imagine playing for a better owner and, 09:03.777 --> 09:06.746 you know, Coach Belichick is the best coach ever. 09:06.746 --> 09:08.181 I mean I can't. 09:08.181 --> 09:09.182 I don't know. 09:09.182 --> 09:11.818 Never been around another head coach that has seemed to have 09:11.818 --> 09:14.354 all his stuff together and have his hands tied in every little 09:14.354 --> 09:16.456 thing that goes on in an organization. 09:16.456 --> 09:18.658 How different -- if he is different.. 09:18.658 --> 09:22.328 How different is he in the clubhouse, 09:22.328 --> 09:24.964 behind closed doors, as his persona, 09:24.964 --> 09:28.168 meeting the press and talking after a game? 09:28.168 --> 09:31.371 Well, I mean, he is kind of what you see is what you get. 09:31.371 --> 09:32.372 He is all business. 09:32.372 --> 09:34.374 If it doesn't have to deal with football, 09:34.374 --> 09:36.376 you know, he is probably not going to sit there and talk 09:36.376 --> 09:37.377 about it. 09:37.377 --> 09:39.379 But there's a lot more stuff that goes in to football, 09:39.379 --> 09:42.015 like, you know, working hard, staying out of trouble, 09:42.015 --> 09:45.585 all these things, what to do on a daily basis. 09:45.585 --> 09:48.421 You know, he's a very, very funny guy. 09:48.421 --> 09:49.489 So, he is? 09:49.489 --> 09:51.958 He has a dry sense of humor. 09:51.958 --> 09:55.528 Um, it's just, uh, you know, he's just very business-like. 09:55.528 --> 09:58.331 And, you know, there's sometimes where he has to keep it light. 09:58.331 --> 09:59.399 He does a good job of that. 09:59.399 --> 10:02.235 But, you know, 95% of the time, it's all business. 10:02.235 --> 10:04.170 It's all football. 10:04.170 --> 10:07.540 He keeps the guys on a straightened path and I think he 10:07.540 --> 10:09.642 does a really good job of that. 10:09.642 --> 10:10.844 Eight years in the N-F-L. 10:10.844 --> 10:12.846 About to start your ninth, as I imagine. 10:12.846 --> 10:14.080 You've been to two Super Bowls. 10:14.080 --> 10:16.082 You've played in two Super Bowls, 10:16.082 --> 10:19.419 two pro-bowl games, three times N-F-L scoring leader, 10:19.419 --> 10:21.955 deemed an all-pro kicker. 10:21.955 --> 10:24.457 I would imagine the only thing missing from the resume is to 10:24.457 --> 10:26.526 complete the deal and to win the Super Bowl. 10:26.526 --> 10:30.096 Yeah, I mean, I think that's the one thing that I could look back 10:30.096 --> 10:31.264 and have any regrets. 10:31.264 --> 10:34.234 I mean I can stop playing now and be happy with what we did. 10:34.234 --> 10:35.235 But it is a team game. 10:35.235 --> 10:37.837 And to be so close so many times, 10:37.837 --> 10:38.838 you know. 10:38.838 --> 10:40.840 I played in the A-F-C Championship game I think five 10:40.840 --> 10:41.841 times. 10:41.841 --> 10:42.842 Wow! 10:42.842 --> 10:43.843 So, we've been close. 10:43.843 --> 10:44.844 And it's a lot of heartache. 10:44.844 --> 10:46.846 And sometimes it's tough to get yourself up for that next season 10:46.846 --> 10:47.847 to get close. 10:47.847 --> 10:48.848 And always keep coming close. 10:48.848 --> 10:50.850 But, you know, we have such a good organization, 10:50.850 --> 10:51.851 a good team. 10:51.851 --> 10:53.853 And we always seem to have a chance. 10:53.853 --> 10:55.722 And we don't look too.. 10:55.722 --> 10:58.224 We don't come in day one saying, "We got to win the Super Bowl or 10:58.224 --> 10:59.225 else." 10:59.225 --> 11:01.161 Like, let's just get better today. 11:01.161 --> 11:03.162 Let's work hard and get ready for that first game. 11:03.162 --> 11:07.166 And I think that helps us out to help us with being consistent 11:07.166 --> 11:09.536 and not setting unattainable goals. 11:09.536 --> 11:11.538 I mean everybody has this same goal to win. 11:11.538 --> 11:15.808 Um, but you're not going to see guys for the New England 11:15.808 --> 11:17.810 Patriots go out there and say, "I'm going to be the best 11:17.810 --> 11:19.812 so-and-so to ever play the game, 11:19.812 --> 11:22.649 or, " We're going to win 15 games or it's going to be a 11:22.649 --> 11:23.650 disappointing season." 11:23.650 --> 11:25.652 We just don't operate like that. 11:25.652 --> 11:27.854 We just worry about, you know, the Dolphins, 11:27.854 --> 11:28.855 which is our first game. 11:28.855 --> 11:30.590 Is Brady pretty down-to-earth? 11:30.590 --> 11:32.592 Yeah, Brady is a really good guy. 11:32.592 --> 11:34.627 He's kind of like Coach Belichick, 11:34.627 --> 11:35.628 all business-like. 11:35.628 --> 11:39.098 He is one of the hardest workers I've ever seen and been around. 11:39.098 --> 11:42.135 And, you know, he has a good sense of humor, 11:42.135 --> 11:43.136 too. 11:43.136 --> 11:44.137 He is a good guy. 11:44.137 --> 11:46.372 And, you know, if he's talking, he's usually talking to his 11:46.372 --> 11:49.108 linemen or his receivers trying to get guys and make sure 11:49.108 --> 11:50.109 they're in the right place. 11:50.109 --> 11:55.415 He is just very competitive and he is not afraid to tell people 11:55.415 --> 11:57.650 that, you know, he controls on the offense when they're not 11:57.650 --> 11:59.519 doing the right thing. 11:59.519 --> 12:01.588 How much did your teammates love when.. 12:01.588 --> 12:05.558 And I'm testing my 52-year-old memory here. 12:05.558 --> 12:07.560 You made a big tackle in the Super Bowl, 12:07.560 --> 12:08.561 right? 12:08.561 --> 12:10.563 Did you make a big tackle in a play-off game? 12:10.563 --> 12:12.565 I made a couple tackles in one play-off game, 12:12.565 --> 12:13.566 yeah. 12:13.566 --> 12:15.568 When you make a tackle and a kicker gets out there.. 12:15.568 --> 12:17.570 I know you're a bigger guy and you're a little bit different 12:17.570 --> 12:18.605 than the prototypical kicker. 12:18.605 --> 12:20.607 How much do they get in to that? 12:20.607 --> 12:21.608 It depends. 12:21.608 --> 12:22.742 I mean they.. 12:22.742 --> 12:23.843 I don't know. 12:23.843 --> 12:26.946 Sometimes they get hyped up and sometimes don't. 12:26.946 --> 12:31.084 But I think the guys know that they know that I can at least 12:31.084 --> 12:32.885 get in the way. 12:32.885 --> 12:36.956 So, I've got like 23 or 24 career tackles. 12:36.956 --> 12:37.957 That's incredible! 12:37.957 --> 12:39.459 But we do kick-off a lot. 12:39.459 --> 12:41.961 There was a time we were scoring five or six, 12:41.961 --> 12:43.129 seven touchdowns a game. 12:43.129 --> 12:46.833 And, you know, we've always had good cover schemes. 12:46.833 --> 12:49.769 But covering like seven, eight kicks a game, 12:49.769 --> 12:52.071 you know, sometimes they might break one out to like the 40 and 12:52.071 --> 12:54.641 I'll be there to tackle or push them out of bounds. 12:54.641 --> 12:56.643 I mean if I push them out of bounds, 12:56.643 --> 12:57.644 it counts as a tackle. 12:57.644 --> 12:58.645 There you go! 12:58.645 --> 13:00.580 But I've had a couple go-ins to my name. 13:00.580 --> 13:02.115 And yeah, they get excited. 13:02.115 --> 13:04.117 But if I miss one, they're not like, 13:04.117 --> 13:05.118 "Aw, come on, man!" 13:05.118 --> 13:07.120 Right, they don't expect that from the kicker. 13:07.120 --> 13:09.122 But, hey, you know, open field tackling is tough. 13:09.122 --> 13:11.124 Some of the best athletes in the world can't even do it. 13:11.124 --> 13:13.126 So, I just try to get as close to the sidelines as possible. 13:13.126 --> 13:15.128 What's your biggest kick so far in your career? 13:15.128 --> 13:17.897 Uh, I mean it's hard to say. 13:17.897 --> 13:22.368 I would say my whole rookie play-off. 13:22.368 --> 13:26.906 I went eight for eight with a game winner against San Diego. 13:26.906 --> 13:31.878 And that really just showed me that I could do it. 13:31.878 --> 13:36.582 You know, um, anyone can be successful in different 13:36.582 --> 13:37.583 situations. 13:37.583 --> 13:41.020 And, you know, the pressure was put on big time my rookie year 13:41.020 --> 13:42.021 in the play-offs. 13:42.021 --> 13:43.089 Oh, you did okay. 13:43.089 --> 13:45.224 What's he going to do in the play-offs? 13:45.224 --> 13:47.226 And everybody was looking for me to, 13:47.226 --> 13:48.227 you know. 13:48.227 --> 13:51.164 So, that really showed me that I belonged and that I could do it. 13:51.164 --> 13:52.198 You know, they're all big. 13:52.198 --> 13:54.801 You know, you're two, three, four misses away from, 13:54.801 --> 13:56.969 you know, looking for a job. 13:56.969 --> 13:59.639 So, it's always the next kick that's the biggest one. 13:59.639 --> 14:01.674 And I've, you know, I've had a decent, 14:01.674 --> 14:03.876 um, you know, percentages and stuff like that. 14:03.876 --> 14:09.882 But I don't look at them as really any differently. 14:15.354 --> 14:17.356 You're pretty even-keel out there. 14:17.356 --> 14:19.358 I mean you can pretty much tell even from watching it on 14:19.358 --> 14:22.595 television that you are, that you don't get too excited. 14:22.595 --> 14:25.531 You're 30 years of age, which is still obviously very young. 14:25.531 --> 14:29.936 But in football years, it's starting to get up there. 14:29.936 --> 14:32.171 Physically, do you still feel the same? 14:32.171 --> 14:33.539 Is it the same regiment? 14:33.539 --> 14:37.043 You still feel like you were when you were 21, 14:37.043 --> 14:38.544 22, 23? 14:38.544 --> 14:40.546 We have to alter it a little bit. 14:40.546 --> 14:42.715 I'm definitely stronger and in my prime, 14:42.715 --> 14:43.950 so to speak. 14:43.950 --> 14:47.387 But it takes a lot longer to recover, 14:47.387 --> 14:49.122 a lot longer to get going. 14:49.122 --> 14:51.657 I used to just show up and be able to, 14:51.657 --> 14:56.062 you know, run and workout and kick and do whatever for days. 14:56.062 --> 14:58.798 And now, you know, it's almost like a little regiment to get 14:58.798 --> 15:00.133 yourself going. 15:00.133 --> 15:02.135 You know, you wake up in the morning. 15:02.135 --> 15:03.136 You feel a little bit. 15:03.136 --> 15:04.137 Your back hurts a little bit. 15:04.137 --> 15:05.138 Your knees hurt a little bit. 15:05.138 --> 15:07.140 And when you do something like kicking and you do it millions 15:07.140 --> 15:09.142 and millions of times, you know, you tend to have an overuse 15:09.142 --> 15:10.143 thing. 15:10.143 --> 15:12.145 It's kind of like when I'd pitch and play baseball. 15:12.145 --> 15:13.146 Your arm gets tired eventually. 15:13.146 --> 15:18.084 But I would say I feel just as good if not better at this age. 15:18.084 --> 15:21.487 I definitely take better care of myself now than I did, 15:21.487 --> 15:23.489 you know, five, six, seven years ago. 15:23.489 --> 15:25.291 I could always do better. 15:25.291 --> 15:27.460 It just takes a little longer to get going. 15:27.460 --> 15:28.461 I think that's it. 15:28.461 --> 15:30.496 But I'm definitely stronger than I have ever been. 15:30.496 --> 15:34.600 Give me 20 seconds on the prospects for this year for all 15:34.600 --> 15:36.903 the Patriots fans out there, for Clifford over here on the 15:36.903 --> 15:39.038 camera, a big Patriots fan. 15:39.038 --> 15:41.040 You bet you'll be back in the race? 15:41.040 --> 15:42.041 I mean we hope so. 15:42.041 --> 15:44.043 We always feel like we have a decent chance. 15:44.043 --> 15:46.245 And, you know, like I said, we take it game-by-game. 15:46.245 --> 15:49.148 But we got a lot of guys returning. 15:49.148 --> 15:51.551 And, you know, we had a really good year last year, 15:51.551 --> 15:55.121 um, considering the amount of, you know, 15:55.121 --> 15:58.357 all-pro, pro-ball type players that we had injured like Jerod 15:58.357 --> 15:59.559 Mayo, Vince Wilfork. 15:59.559 --> 16:03.029 With those guys coming back and the addition of guys like 16:03.029 --> 16:05.031 Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, 16:05.031 --> 16:08.201 um, and Tommy Kelly, um, and, you know, 16:08.201 --> 16:14.640 the offense is always going to be the offense with Tom Brady. 16:14.640 --> 16:16.642 A lot of it comes down to just, you know, 16:16.642 --> 16:19.512 execution and, you know, staying healthy. 16:19.512 --> 16:22.949 And a lot plays in to it, as well. 16:22.949 --> 16:26.752 Uh, you know, with Coach Belichick I always feel like 16:26.752 --> 16:29.121 we're going to have a shot. 16:29.121 --> 16:31.123 Stephen, we like to end every interview with something called 16:31.123 --> 16:32.124 "Five for the Road." 16:32.124 --> 16:34.126 So, first thing that comes to mind. 16:34.126 --> 16:35.194 Five quick questions for ya. 16:35.194 --> 16:37.196 What's your favorite professional team? 16:37.196 --> 16:38.197 You can't say the Patriots. 16:38.197 --> 16:39.198 The Spurs. 16:39.198 --> 16:41.200 Favorite pro athlete of all time. 16:41.200 --> 16:42.335 Federer. 16:42.335 --> 16:43.936 Really? 16:43.936 --> 16:45.938 Heck of a match he had recently. 16:45.938 --> 16:46.939 Favorite music. 16:46.939 --> 16:50.142 What do you listen to? 16:50.142 --> 16:51.143 I like it all. 16:51.143 --> 16:53.145 I like a lot of old school rock. 16:53.145 --> 16:55.147 Do you like to listen before a game? 16:55.147 --> 16:56.148 Yeah, I do. 16:56.148 --> 16:58.184 I don't like pump-up music before a game because I try to 16:58.184 --> 16:59.886 stay even keel. 16:59.886 --> 17:02.088 Favorite movie of all time. 17:02.088 --> 17:03.322 "Forrest Gump." 17:03.322 --> 17:04.323 "Forrest Gump?" 17:04.323 --> 17:06.626 Okay. 17:06.626 --> 17:07.627 Favorite t-v show. 17:07.627 --> 17:08.628 Uh, it's tough. 17:08.628 --> 17:09.629 I like.. 17:09.629 --> 17:13.199 I mean there's a lot of good ones on now. 17:13.199 --> 17:15.167 "Breaking Bad" is pretty good. 17:15.167 --> 17:16.168 Sure. 17:16.168 --> 17:17.169 "Seinfeld." 17:17.169 --> 17:19.171 Yeah, you watch all the re-runs? 17:19.171 --> 17:20.172 Anything current? 17:20.172 --> 17:24.644 Current, "Walking Dead" is pretty good. 17:24.644 --> 17:27.079 Would you like Hard-Knocks to come to New England? 17:27.079 --> 17:29.081 No, it'd be a pain in the butt. 17:29.081 --> 17:31.217 Would that change things a little bit, 17:31.217 --> 17:33.786 like how you have to conduct yourself? 17:33.786 --> 17:35.788 Yeah, I mean you just don't want it. 17:35.788 --> 17:37.790 I wouldn't want to be on national t-v saying something 17:37.790 --> 17:39.792 stupid to embarrass myself and my family. 17:39.792 --> 17:41.794 Because you could never get rid of it. 17:41.794 --> 17:43.796 It's going to always be out there. 17:43.796 --> 17:45.798 You've got to watch out what you say. 17:45.798 --> 17:47.800 You know, we're up there all day. 17:47.800 --> 17:48.801 Guys are going to act stupid. 17:48.801 --> 17:50.803 You've got to watch out what you say anyway. 17:50.803 --> 17:53.606 Um, it would just be.. 17:53.606 --> 17:56.208 I think thinking about that would distract you from actual 17:56.208 --> 17:57.610 practice. 17:57.610 --> 18:00.012 Well, you've done nothing to embarrass yourself. 18:00.012 --> 18:02.648 In fact, the pride of the University of Memphis. 18:02.648 --> 18:04.650 What you've done with New England so far. 18:04.650 --> 18:07.253 Boy, you're nine years in but I know you've got a long career 18:07.253 --> 18:08.254 still ahead of you. 18:08.254 --> 18:09.255 Stephen, thank you so much. 18:09.255 --> 18:10.256 Absolute pleasure. 18:10.256 --> 18:11.257 Thank you. 18:11.257 --> 18:12.258 We'll take a quick break. 18:12.258 --> 18:13.259 "Overtime" is next. 18:13.259 --> 18:29.508 [theme music] 18:29.508 --> 18:30.910 So here's my question to all of you. 18:30.910 --> 18:32.611 How's your golf game? 18:32.611 --> 18:35.214 Well, I sure hope it's improved over the last six months since 18:35.214 --> 18:37.683 we introduced our "Golf made Easy" segment. 18:37.683 --> 18:39.752 It's never too late to get better, 18:39.752 --> 18:42.688 and here's another way with this month's lesson from Greg King, 18:42.688 --> 18:46.592 the Director of Golf at Mirimichi So the last time we 18:46.592 --> 18:50.029 were together, we discussed ability to master the depth of 18:50.029 --> 18:52.298 the divot with chipping and pitching. 18:52.298 --> 18:55.001 Today what I'd like to talk to you about is two shots, 18:55.001 --> 18:59.005 the lob shot and the bunker shot -- some very necessary shots 18:59.005 --> 19:02.541 that you're going to have to be able to be proficient when you 19:02.541 --> 19:05.644 find yourself around the green and you've got to use trajectory 19:05.644 --> 19:08.647 to stop the ball or your short-sided and the green slopes 19:08.647 --> 19:09.648 away from you. 19:09.648 --> 19:12.652 You've got to be able to hit a high soft shot. 19:12.652 --> 19:15.554 So, one of the first things I want to talk to you about is the 19:15.554 --> 19:17.523 lob shot. 19:17.523 --> 19:19.992 A lot of people believe that it's a real risky shot. 19:19.992 --> 19:21.494 I take a different approach. 19:21.494 --> 19:24.397 I think that it's one of the least risky of shots with the 19:24.397 --> 19:26.465 highest amount of reward. 19:26.465 --> 19:29.869 So, what I want to describe to you is the bounce on the club 19:29.869 --> 19:31.570 head itself. 19:31.570 --> 19:36.609 So, you'll see the angle between the leading edge here and my 19:36.609 --> 19:38.010 finger. 19:38.010 --> 19:40.713 And that amount of angle is defined as balance. 19:40.713 --> 19:44.350 So, as long as I'm allowing at the hitting zone, 19:44.350 --> 19:47.987 the club head to catch up to the club head where we have a 19:47.987 --> 19:51.157 vertical shaft at impact, the part of the club that's hitting 19:51.157 --> 19:53.392 the ground is the back edge, the bounce edge. 19:53.392 --> 19:59.298 So, all my job is as a player is to allow the wrist to unhinge 19:59.298 --> 20:02.501 and the club to get below the ball. 20:02.501 --> 20:05.337 So, if I were hitting the shot with a driver, 20:05.337 --> 20:08.774 when I'm coming through and my hands stay open like this, 20:08.774 --> 20:10.509 this would be a big slice. 20:10.509 --> 20:13.612 To give you another analogy, in tennis, 20:13.612 --> 20:15.614 this would be like a drop volley. 20:15.614 --> 20:17.917 So, what I'm allowing to happen is I'm allowing to happen is I'm 20:17.917 --> 20:19.919 allowing these wrists to unhinge, 20:19.919 --> 20:24.690 the club head to pass the hands so that the part of the club is 20:24.690 --> 20:25.691 hitting the ground. 20:25.691 --> 20:27.693 Again, it's the back edge, the riding edge. 20:27.693 --> 20:32.098 So, all I have to do is practice hitting the club below the ball. 20:32.098 --> 20:34.333 As long as you're getting the club below the ball, 20:34.333 --> 20:36.068 you're going to be just fine. 20:36.068 --> 20:37.470 You just turn through. 20:37.470 --> 20:41.841 So, to display this shot, I simply have the club face a 20:41.841 --> 20:44.610 little bit open to my hands. 20:44.610 --> 20:48.180 I aim my body the same amount open as the club faces are open. 20:48.180 --> 20:50.950 And I go ahead and make a little swing back and through. 20:50.950 --> 20:55.821 And you'll see it's a wrist-y motion going through, 20:55.821 --> 20:57.423 allowing the club face to pass. 20:57.423 --> 20:59.358 That's how a lob shot works. 20:59.358 --> 21:01.527 Now let's go take a look at the bunker shot? 21:01.527 --> 21:08.000 So, the bunker shot is very similar to the lob shot. 21:08.000 --> 21:10.436 You want to allow your wrist to hinge up, 21:10.436 --> 21:13.639 allow your wrist to unhinge through and you turn through 21:13.639 --> 21:14.974 with your upper torso. 21:14.974 --> 21:19.078 The main difference with the bunker shot versus the lob shot 21:19.078 --> 21:21.814 is you've got to take some sand. 21:21.814 --> 21:24.216 You've got to get the club below the ball because truthfully, 21:24.216 --> 21:26.485 you never hit the ball on a green side bunker. 21:26.485 --> 21:28.187 You take a swath of sand. 21:28.187 --> 21:31.624 The energy of the club going through the sand makes the ball 21:31.624 --> 21:33.225 propel out. 21:33.225 --> 21:36.929 One of the best practices you can do is you can find a green 21:36.929 --> 21:40.833 side practice bunker is to simply draw a line in the bunker 21:40.833 --> 21:45.337 and practice hitting the sand, entering the sand about an 21:45.337 --> 21:47.540 inch-and-a-quarter, inch-and-a-half prior to that 21:47.540 --> 21:48.541 line. 21:48.541 --> 21:50.509 Two main things. 21:50.509 --> 21:51.644 Let your arms return long. 21:51.644 --> 21:55.514 Get the club below the ball, through the sand and make sure 21:55.514 --> 21:57.516 you turn through with upper torso. 21:57.516 --> 22:00.553 So, just like the lob shot, club face is a little bit open. 22:00.553 --> 22:03.055 Body is similarly open. 22:03.055 --> 22:04.490 We're going to practice. 22:04.490 --> 22:08.527 See if I can hit this about an inch-and-a-half. 22:08.527 --> 22:10.529 That was a couple inches prior to the line. 22:10.529 --> 22:11.797 So, I'll do it again. 22:11.797 --> 22:13.766 And you can just. 22:13.766 --> 22:18.604 Some reference of where you're finding the low spot between 22:18.604 --> 22:19.638 your feet. 22:19.638 --> 22:22.708 Remember, let your arms fall long. 22:22.708 --> 22:26.212 Let your body turn through and you're always hitting the sand. 22:26.212 --> 22:31.750 One last thing, one little tip about green side bunker shots is 22:31.750 --> 22:35.154 if you've got a short shot, you want to feel like you allow the 22:35.154 --> 22:37.590 speed of the club to dissipate in the sand and there's not a 22:37.590 --> 22:39.525 lot of follow through speed. 22:39.525 --> 22:42.194 That would look something like that. 22:42.194 --> 22:45.097 If you've got a long green side bunker shot, 22:45.097 --> 22:48.801 go ahead and keep your speed to a bigger follow through. 22:48.801 --> 22:53.272 If you'll do those two things, that'll help you with your sand 22:53.272 --> 22:54.273 play. 22:54.273 --> 22:57.576 I'll go ahead and hit one and you'll see that I'll go ahead 22:57.576 --> 22:59.578 and take some sand and turn through. 22:59.578 --> 23:05.618 That's going to help you with the sand game. 23:05.618 --> 23:08.354 So, one last little tip about short games that I'd like to 23:08.354 --> 23:09.355 introduce you to. 23:09.355 --> 23:10.356 It's called the ladder drill. 23:10.356 --> 23:13.492 It's a great way to prepare for a round of golf. 23:13.492 --> 23:16.762 You simply start off hitting a short shot 10 or 15 feet. 23:16.762 --> 23:19.365 Then, you try to hit the second shot and land it on top of that 23:19.365 --> 23:21.367 ball, which will go out another 10, 23:21.367 --> 23:24.003 15 feet and work your way up the ladder, 23:24.003 --> 23:27.506 so to speak, all the way up to about a half wedge or so. 23:27.506 --> 23:30.776 It's a really, really great way to get a sense of the energy 23:30.776 --> 23:35.514 transfer and your ability to master that depth of divot in 23:35.514 --> 23:37.516 shots that you're going to have around the green. 23:37.516 --> 23:39.518 So, the first one I'll try to hit, 23:39.518 --> 23:40.819 oh, 10 or 15 feet. 23:40.819 --> 23:42.821 I'm just going to take a little practice swing here. 23:42.821 --> 23:46.892 I hit that one about -- That went about 15 or so. 23:46.892 --> 23:49.828 So, the second one, I'm going to try to go ahead and land this 23:49.828 --> 23:51.797 ball on top of that ball. 23:51.797 --> 23:54.900 We'll see how we do. 23:54.900 --> 23:55.901 Pretty good! 23:55.901 --> 23:57.903 So, that one went out about another 10 feet. 23:57.903 --> 24:01.240 And my next effort is to try to land on that second ball. 24:01.240 --> 24:06.679 So, I'm simply just making a little bit bigger swing as we go 24:06.679 --> 24:07.680 through. 24:07.680 --> 24:08.681 Not bad, a little bit far. 24:08.681 --> 24:10.015 And we'll do one more. 24:10.015 --> 24:13.485 Just try to hit it another 10 or 15 feet past that one. 24:17.523 --> 24:19.058 Pretty good there! 24:19.058 --> 24:22.161 So, what you want to see is try to get consistent increments. 24:22.161 --> 24:26.699 It's just a great way to warm up before the game. 24:26.699 --> 24:30.636 So, if you'll take the time to warm up before a round of golf, 24:30.636 --> 24:33.605 this is going to help you shoot lower scores. 24:33.605 --> 24:35.007 Good golf made easy! 24:35.007 --> 24:37.042 We'll see you next time. 24:37.042 --> 24:39.678 Greg will now turn his attention to putting in our final two 24:39.678 --> 24:41.680 installments of "Good Golf Made Easy." 24:41.680 --> 24:44.917 Before we say goodbye, congratulations to Chris Wallace 24:44.917 --> 24:48.120 who earlier this week signed a new contract with the Grizzlies 24:48.120 --> 24:50.856 to once again become the team's general manager after being 24:50.856 --> 24:53.192 slapped with the interim term in May. 24:53.192 --> 24:54.293 Well deserved! 24:54.293 --> 24:56.962 The Grizz also inked Ed Stefanski to a deal to become 24:56.962 --> 24:59.999 the team's new executive vice president of player personnel. 24:59.999 --> 25:03.335 Stefanski has worked in front office positions with the Nets, 25:03.335 --> 25:07.439 76'ers, and most recently the Raptors. 25:07.439 --> 25:09.441 And that will do it for the show. 25:09.441 --> 25:11.977 As always, you can watch any our previous "Sports Files" programs 25:11.977 --> 25:15.381 by going to our website, WKNO-dot-org and clicking on 25:15.381 --> 25:16.682 'K-N-O Tonite. 25:16.682 --> 25:19.318 Next week I'll talk with Memphis Tigers Head Football Coach 25:19.318 --> 25:23.188 Justin Fuente, as the Tigers open up camp this Sunday and 25:23.188 --> 25:25.224 host their first practice on Monday. 25:25.224 --> 25:28.260 Until then have a great week, and we'll see you next time. 25:28.260 --> 26:10.269 [theme music] 26:10.269 --> 26:11.370  (female announcer)   Production funding for 26:11.370 --> 26:15.040  "Sports Files" is   made possible in part by.. 26:15.040 --> 26:16.442  (male announcer)   Infiniti of Memphis has moved 26:16.442 --> 26:19.545  to Germantown road just half a   mile north of Wolfchase Galleria 26:19.545 --> 26:22.314  and is proud to support W-K-N-O   for its quality broadcasting 26:22.314 --> 26:24.082  and service to our community. 26:24.082 --> 26:27.052  Quality and service -- No wonder   Infiniti of Memphis feels at 26:27.052 --> 26:28.620  home on W-K-N-O.. 26:28.620 --> 26:32.620 CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY WKNO-MEMPHIS.