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Tuesday 9 January 2018

Belichick SAINT-IFIED
‘absolutely’
intends to Saints beat Panthers, confident
return as about rematch with Vikings
Patriots
coach Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is sacked
on forth down late in the second half of an NFL football game
By KYLE HIGHTOWER against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 7,
AP Sports Writer 2018. The Saints won 36-21.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP)
— Under Bill Belichick, Associated Press
the New England Patriots Page 20
have often thrived when
inundated with scrutiny
from outside of their locker
room. They’ll have to do
it again this week as they
prepare for their divisional
round matchup with the
Tennessee Titans.
Belichick said Monday that
it is “absolutely” his inten-
tion to return as coach of
the Patriots next season,
despite reports of turmoil
in the franchise involving
himself, quarterback Tom
Brady and team owner
Robert Kraft.
Belichick said he didn’t
have anything to add to a
joint statement the three
men released last week in
response to an ESPN report,
citing undisclosed sources,
that detailed an array of
tension.
“I haven’t read the article.
I’ve already commented
at length about that situa-
tion,” Belichick said. “Noth-
ing has happened since
then, so I don’t have any-
thing to add to it.”
The ESPN story highlighted
purported disputes con-
cerning Brady’s personal
body coach, Alex Guer-
rero, in player-medical af-
fairs. Also mentioned was
a supposed difference be-
tween Kraft and Belichick
over the decision to trade
former backup quarter-
back Jimmy Garoppolo.
The story implied Brady has
taken issue with a lack of
praise from Belichick this
season.

Continued on Page 20