The Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots have more connections than fans may realize. As the two teams meet up for a Sunday night battle, several players have history with one another. The biggest is the relationship between cornerback Asante Samuel and quarterback Tom Brady. Former teammates now on opposite sides of the ball, Samuel is excited to renew the rivalry with his old quarterback.
''We had a lot of battles,'' Samuel said, via Boston.com. ''He loves to try to be perfect as possible, and the way he prepares every day is true professionalism. He has the total package.''
Samuel and Brady were teammates for five seasons and won two Super Bowls together between 2003 and 2007. Samuel is expecting Brady to execute the same type of perfection on Sunday with plenty of passes thrown his way. While the cornerback continues to sing the praises of his old teammate, Brady is exchanging the favor.
''He's a dynamic playmaker; you still see it now,'' Brady said. ''I've thrown more interceptions to Asante than probably anybody. He lets you know when he intercepts it, too.''
The Falcons secondary will have to be on their A-game come Sunday night. While the team is in the top five in run defense, their young secondary will be on high alert as Brady will likely focus on getting the pass game moving. The Falcons are starting a rookie at cornerback with Desmund Trufant and two undrafted rookies at linebacker after injuries. Everyone will have to grow up quickly.
''He's very efficient. He's very up-tempo. He'll catch you on your heels. People are still lining up or getting the calls in, and he's running a play,'' Trufant said. ''He's seen it all . . . You've got to be on your Ps and Qs because he'll expose you.''
The Falcons and the Patriots do not have a lot of regular season experience with one another. Atlanta is in unexpected territory, sitting at 1-2 to start a season they are expected to contend for a Super Bowl. Atlanta is hoping to benefit from the home field advantage and hand the Patriots their first loss of the season. The young wide receivers corps may help the Falcons secondary, but with Tom Brady at quarterback, anything is possible.
''He reads coverages, he makes the right plays, he positions the balls correctly, he throws the deep ball,'' Samuel said. ''You just got to prepare, be ready for a guy . . . you're going to play against one of the best, and the execution and tempo is going to be unbelievable so don't be shocked.''