Chiefs’ rookie tight end isn’t in awe of Pats
B y all rights, Chiefs rookie tight end
Brad Cottam should be in awe of Sunday’s opponent, the New England Patriots.
The Patriots are, after all, the standard of excellence in the league.
But perhaps there’s a little bit of rookie bravado in Cottam.
“I wouldn’t say I’m in awe,” Cottam told me this week. “You respect the fact they’ve been at the top of the league for a long time.
“But you can’t get caught up in the moment and just stand there and watch them. You’ve got to go out and try the best you can to win the game.”
But these are the New England Patriots.
“I know. They’re one of the teams that everyone looks at as the best,” Cottam said. “They got a lot of guys who are always in the right place or always do the right thing.”
And how about being on the same field as a guy like Tom Brady or Randy Moss? Isn’t that a cause to pause?
“Well, yes, it’s great to say I’m playing in the same league as guys like that,” he said. “That’s something I will consider special.”
Truth be told, Cottam is just happy to be practicing and playing again. He has been battling a shoulder injury this preseason.
The Chiefs love his size (6 feet 7, 270 pounds) and good hands and hope he can see plenty of playing time this Sunday.
“When you play just a couple of preseason games … I don’t know that it has sunk in yet what it’s like in the NFL,” he said. “I’ve played in front of big crowds before, like we’ll see this Sunday. I’ve been playing football all my life. It’s what I do.
“But I’m sure this will be different. I’m just excited to go play a real game. I’m ready.”
What happened?
Cottam, who played at Tennessee, didn’t really want to discuss his school’s overtime loss to UCLA.
“No comment,” he said, smiling. “I don’t know what happened. I haven’t talked to anyone there yet. I’ll let them have a few days off.”
No. 2 team
The Chiefs-Patriots game on Sunday will draw CBS’ No. 2 announcing team of Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf.
Naturally, CBS’ No. 1 team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will follow Brett Favre and the Jets to Miami.
Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon will get the Cincinnati at Baltimore game.
T.O.’s ready
Apparently there are concerns about whether Cowboys superstar Terrell Owens can step up his game and carry the Cowboys this season.
“I did a lot of shoulder presses this summer,” he said, smiling. “I think I will be ready to shoulder the load.”
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