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Aqib Talib: ‘I definitely enjoy being a Patriot’ 01.21.13 at 12:35 pm ET
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Aqib Talib meets the media for a final time at Gillette on Monday. (Mike Petraglia/WEEI.com)

Aqib Talib meets the media for a final time at Gillette on Monday. (Mike Petraglia/WEEI.com)

FOXBORO — Aqib Talib did not want to talk about the possibility of having played his final game with the Patriots on Sunday. But he did acknowledge the possibility as part of the business.

Talib was acquired at the trade deadline from Tampa Bay and played in the final seven regular season games after finishing his suspension for Adderall use and violating the NFL PED policy.

Talib is eligible to test the market when the free agency begins in March.

“I’m not really worried about all that right now,” said Talib, who came out with a thigh injury in the first quarter and did not return. “The game was 12 hours ago. I’m in the training room with the guys, we’re having fun. I’m still a Patriot. I think free agency don’t start til March, so until then, I’m still a Patriot. And I’m going to enjoy my time.

“I definitely enjoy being a Patriot.”

He did not enjoy the way his season ended, suffering a strained right thigh on a break up of a pass intended for Anquan Boldin in the first quarter.

“The worst way to go out in any game, let alone the AFC championship,” he said. “We came in here [locker room] and we did some stuff. It just wasn’t strong enough to go compete at that level.

“Just a little tweak. I’ll be all right, though.”

Much of his tone Monday took a reflective nature, speaking in past tense.

“Man, I had a lot of fun here, man,” Talib added. “I definitely enjoyed my time here. We’ll see what happens in the future, but I’ll definitely had the most fun I’ve had playing football in a long time.”

His preference?

“We’re going to let everything … there’s a business side to the business. But I definitely enjoy being a Patriot.”

When will that conversation start with the Patriots?

“I don’t know, man. I’m sure you all are going to talk to Bill [Belichick] and everybody else,” he said. “Those really aren’t questions for me.”

Asked about his feelings on Talib, Bill Belichick said it’s far to early to consider the future.

“We will not make any decisions on any players into the future now. You just can’t do it. There are too many factors, too many unknown things. All the things I said about Aqib, I meant and I still feel that way. Nothing has changed, but I can’t put into place an entire plan for the team at this point in time. There’s just not enough information; it’s too early. And again as I said, I don’t think you can, as much as you want to just go case by case and list each guy and what his deal is, I think that there is some of that, no question – but at the same time, when you’re trying to put together a team, you’ve got to look at the entire team before you just say, ‘OK well, we want to try to keep this guy.

“Well, we don’t want to keep this guy’ or ‘We want to try to get somebody else,’ or whatever. You’ve got to look at the entire context of the team and not just take it one guy, piece by piece. I don’t think that’s the way you put together an entire football team. You’ve got to see the big picture and how it all fits together and there are a lot of factors that go into that. That’s why it takes some time.”

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  • Pgwhitey14

    footballs over. lets go b’s!

  • Mgryzwac

    This Guy is Junk!! Dump him No Heart!

  • CAPatsFan

    Talib was enough of a difference, that when he got injured (a hamstring injury – no matter how slight, is a serious thing – especially for a DB/CB) the Pats’ secondary looked like swiss cheese. He is a solid DB (though a bit injury-prone). The Pats need someone of his ilk (x2?) in that motley crew called the Pats’ secondary.

  • http://www.facebook.com/derek.lee.82 Derek Lee

    They are 200% better with Talib on the field. They clearly fell apart once he left the game. What are you talking about?

  • Chrisindanvers

    Good player, but more importantly, led by a smart agent. Doesn’t suggest that he plans to come back, but he does hint that he wants to.

    Overall, can’t help but notice that he made an impact on the field. AFC Championship alone proves this. If he gets with the program and wants to stick around, I say go for it. Was a solid player, kept himself out of trouble, and said the right things.

    I know Chris Price doesn’t see him coming back, but not sure why. Patriots have done this with similar players before.

  • Boston_Sports

    Aqib, Sign a contract with the Patriots and let’s finish the job next season. A healthy Patriot team (with some player adjustments) CAN win a Super Bowl.

  • Joe

    phoney, he quit on us.  screw

  • quitter

    That hamstring you pulled, Talib.  You could have prevented that by drinking a lot of fluid (water) 1 hour before the game.  Talib = Soft.
     

  • Anonymous

    Dr. Gill did as good a job getting Talib ready for the second half as he did determining when Gronk was ready to return. New team doctor, please.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_EPJJJA72IJKIZSTO4S3S3WQ76Y HopJim

    Talib is less injury prone than 90% of the Pats defense.  The main difference is that he can play.  Not a shut down corner but fast, strong, and aggressive (i.e. he can get within 3 yards of receivers, versus other Pats DB’s).  Hopefully he truely has a smart agent who knows that being in NE can help someone with a mixed resume.

  • Juanzurita83

    keep aqib dumb arrington and cole.

  • Titletown1

    There are 47 free agent DBs this offseason.  Shop around. Talib may be a little too much on the delicate deva side.

  • Straw33

    Talib is the best cover corner the Pats have had since Ty
    Law. He doesn’t shy away from taking the other team’s number 1 receiver in man
    coverage. Hopefully the Pats will try to sign him and he, along with Dennard,
    can both having a full training camps and will comprise a solid 1-2 set of
    corners. Consistent CB and Safety players are a must in the NFL. McCourty is
    solid at safety but Gregory is too inconsistent, he constantly makes mistakes
    when he undercuts routes and he can’t tackle. Although I like Chung’s aggressiveness,
    he can’t stay healthy. The best thing about the defense is they are young, aggressive
    and can improve if they stay together.

    Talib is the best cover corner the Pats have had since Ty
    Law. He doesn’t shy away from taking the other team’s number 1 receiver in man
    coverage. Hopefully the Pats will try to sign him and he, along with Dennard,
    can both having a full training camps and will comprise a solid 1-2 set of
    corners. Consistent CB and Safety players are a must in the NFL. McCourty is
    solid at safety but Gregory is too inconsistent, he constantly makes mistakes
    when he undercuts routes and he can’t tackle. Although I like Chung’s aggressiveness,
    he can’t stay healthy. The best thing about the defense is they are young, aggressive
    and can improve if they stay together.

     

  • Steve

    at least the Pats can say they had ONE good corner in the last few years but only for a couple months.

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