FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Tippett on Judon: Outside linebacker Matthew Judon has recorded a sack in each of the first four games of the 2022 season. He joins Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett as the only Patriots to start a season accomplishing that feat.
Tippett did it in 1986, and he’ll be watching Sunday, as Judon — wearing throwback uniforms and helmets from Tippett’s playing days — attempts to become the first player in franchise history to notch at least one sack in each of the first five games of a season.
“He brings excitement. I love watching him play,” Tippett said leading up to the Patriots’ game against the Detroit Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox).
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“I’m just like all the 60-70,000 fans we have in the building watching him, you see those red sleeves [under his jersey], and he’s all revved up, trying to get off on the ball. And I’m trying to get off on the ball with him. Fast hands, slap, rip, uppercut, speed rush. Throw a bull rush on this guy. I’m there.”
Tippett, who played from 1982 to 1993 and holds the franchise record for sacks (100), added that he appreciates how Judon (16.5 sacks in 21 games in New England) is more than just a pass-rusher. He contributes against the run as well, which was something Tippett took pride in as a player.
As for Judon’s diverse pass-rushing arsenal, Tippett particularly likes one move.
“He has that change-of-direction, that hump move, where he gets the tackle moving up, and then he comes back and slips under with that rip, uppercut,” he said. “It’s a [lethal] move. If the tackle doesn’t move his feet and can’t move with him, he’s going to blow that quarterback up, and that can be a turnover.”
Tippett, who serves as the Patriots’ executive director of community affairs, said his enjoyment watching Judon is similar to when Chandler Jones (2012-15), among others, played for the franchise.
The two have connected a couple of times, mostly when Judon has been part of a community appearance and Tippett might be there too.
“He’s really quiet and very respectful,” Tippett said. “I’ve watched him interact with folks, and it’s really nice to see, because he gets it and knows the importance of making people feel good. Maybe we’re making a wish come true, congratulating a survivor, any of those things; a guy like Judon is part of that and you watch their eyes light up.”
For his part, Judon said he’s enjoyed his limited interactions with Tippett, and learning more about his past success after his former Ravens teammate, Elvis Dumervil, advised him to do so.
“He’s around the building. We talk a little bit. I know he was an all-time great Patriot, Hall of Fame, has the most sacks here,” Judon said of Tippett. “Elvis told me ‘Find out the records all the rush guys have, and go try to break those’ and that’s what I’m trying to do — as long as it’s within the defense and helping us with the main goal to try to win games.”
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2. Throwback flavor: The Patriots will be in their red throwback uniforms and white Pat Patriot helmets for Sunday’s game, which hits home for Tippett.
“I absolutely love seeing them. I think all teams should have it, where they have to wear retro uniforms twice a year, to bring it back so people can remember what it used to be,” he said.
“I see Twitter, and people reacting to it, how it’s ‘old school’ this week. You see people asking things like, ‘Who’s the first player this reminds you of?’ It’s cool. This is going to be a nice Sunday out there watching the old retro ‘Pat Patriot’ jerseys and seeing…
Read More: Patriots Andre Tippett enjoying Matthew Judon’s hot start – New England Patriots