Tarell Brown: “Stop Tom Brady and stop Wes Welker and the guys that make plays after the catch.”

SANTA CLARA — Tarell Brown spoke at his locker Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said about the Patriots’ offense.

Q: What is going to be key for your defense against the Patriots?

BROWN: We all have to go out there and win out one-on-one battles. They have a lot of different weapons, a lot of guys that can make plays, but we’re really fighting against Tom Brady. He has the keys to the car and we definitely have to stop him.

Q: When did you start watching film on the Patriots?

BROWN: Last night. I watched a little bit of the game. Once it got out of hand I turned it off. Then I started watching some film.

Q: Is this challenge a good measuring stick for you as a defensive back?

BROWN: Yeah, it’s a measuring stick for all of us. I think we’ll all be tested and challenged throughout the game, and that’s the good thing about it.

ME: Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez run option routes depending on man or zone coverage. How do you match up with that?

BROWN: Play your leverage. You’ve just got to make plays. I think at the end of the day, they do a lot of reads on and off the field. We have to do the same thing – play with what you see and play fast.

ME: Are you anticipating playing in the slot and covering Welker?

BROWN: I probably will, or Carlos will be inside and I’ll be outside against Hernandez.

Q: Are you surprised they were able to put up so many points on Houston’s defense?

BROWN: No. They’re an explosive offense. Anytime you’re going into their stadium – they’re 20-0 in December. That’s something you look at, you have that in the back of the mind, but at the end of the day it’s any given Sunday. We’ll go out there and play football and bring the 49er thing with us.

Q: Do you enjoy coming in as the underdog?

BROWN: Yeah, we enjoy being the underdog. Anytime you play football, you always have a chip on your shoulder, you always have something to prove every week. This week we have to go out there and win a big game. It’s important for us.

Q: You haven’t seen a lot of Tom Brady in person, have you?

BROWN: No, I haven’t seen him much, but he’s a smart quarterback. He can make all the throws. He’s an elite quarterback in general. Period. One of the best. Any time you’re playing one of the best. You have to be on your A game.

Q: You guys sure look like you love these primetime games.

BROWN: Big time players show out in big time games. I think we’re used to the pressure. Us as a team, we’ll be ready, we’ll prepare, we’ll put our best foot forward and go out there and plan on getting a win.

ME: The defense has given up a lot of catches to slot receivers this season, like Danny Amendola and Chris Givens.  Do expect the Patriots to attack you in that way with Welker?

BROWN: Yeah, I think so. I think they’re just going to throw the ball around in general. Anytime you have a front like we have that can stop the run, they’re going to throw the ball 40 or 50 times a game. We’re giving up a few catches here and there, but we’re not giving up many yards and we’re not letting guys into the end zone, so that’s the most important thing.

ME: How do you stop their offense?

BROWN: Stop Tom Brady and stop Wes Welker and the guys that make plays after the catch. They get so many yards after the catch, it’s amazing. For us, we have to be sure tacklers this week. We need to focus, break down, and more than one guy needs to get there and swarm the football.

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