Image courtesy of the New England Patriots
If we’re being honest, when people talk about the most important pieces of the Patriots defense, Jahlani Tavai’s name doesn’t usually come up in the first sentence or two.
But, now entering his fifth season in the league, Tavai is not a young pup anymore, he’s now embracing a bit of a leadership role when the opportunity presents itself and may be an integral piece to the linebacker and special teams units this season.
Tavai played 570 snaps last year – exactly 50% – on defense and had 330 on special teams (72%). In 2021, he played only 56 defensive snaps (7%) and 195 on special teams (57%). The reliability in the kicking game and uptick in play defensively – along with a contract extension – has made clear that Belichick respects the way Tavai goes about his business.
After a 69-tackle (37 solo), 1.5-sack season, Tavai is trying to remain the same guy despite his growing role as an NFL vet.
“Not really. Nothing’s changed, it’s still football,” Tavai said at his locker on Thursday when I asked him it feels different heading into year five. “Just got to make sure I do my part, whether it’s on defense or special teams. It’s still football. If anybody has questions, I’ve always…especially when I first got here, like, I wasn’t afraid to take that role and if any of the younger guys have questions – especially in our room – if they ask me, I’m always there for any of them. It doesn’t matter if they’re on the D-line or the backer room, I’ll always have that little conversation if they need it. I wouldn’t say it’s been different, it’s been fun though. I’m not gonna lie, it’s been fun.”
When the Patriots are mentally locking in before the championship game-like atmosphere that will swirl around Gillette on Sunday, Tavai will be making sure he chats with family and crushes some snacks before trying to get some sleep in.
Easier said than done.
“I just call everybody I love, get a little FaceTime in, ease up a bit,” Tavai said. “Get my mind right so I can go to sleep. That’s what I really need. I don’t want that anxiety to kick in and then I’m going to bed around midnight. But, I’ll have some snacks the night before and then wake up and it’s show time.”
Once it’s game day, the rest of the world doesn’t really exist for Tavai.
“I’m kind of zoned out from everyone,” he added. “Everyone will text or call me, but I usually just let them go to voicemail or ignore the text. I’m in my zone. I’ve got my music playlist and then once I hit the truck, I’m just thinking about the game, thinking about making plays and that’s it.”
With all the pomp and circumstance surrounding Tom Brady’s presence on Sunday, Tavai and his teammates are looking forward to what the building will look and sound like come when the ball’s kicked off at 4:25, but won’t let that energy consume them.
“I’m just excited for the game to be honest,” he said. “It’s literally what we’ve been waiting for. It’s all the hard work that we went through as a team and to go through all the cuts, this is our reward, you know? To play against another team when it counts. I’m excited to see everybody just fly around, including myself.
“I’m not trying to let all the other stuff…not all the lights flashing be too big. To be honest, it’s just a day for us to showcase what we’ve been working our butts off for, so we’re excited.”