Seattle rookie Justin Britt. Photo by Al Thompson

CHANDLER, AZ: When NFL rookies are cast into important roles their first year; How they handle the pressure can work different ways. Their teams hope whatever they do works for the best.

There is no more pressure on a football player than playing in the Super Bowl, especially for the first time. It is hard enough for a veteran in his first NFL title game, let alone a rookie.

For instance New England Patriots rookie offensive lineman Bryan Stork – who is now the starting center for the Patriots – seemed a bit harried over just about any question he was asked at Wednesday’s media session.
When asked if his teammates who have been here before were giving him advice he replied: “It’s just like any other week, you just have to stay calm get to know the team and work hard.”

Patriots rookie Bryan Stork, Photo by Al Thompson

When asked about how the Patriots use several running backs and how that may affect his assignments, Stork, who goes 6-foot-4, 313 pounds, and who was drafted out of Florida State by the Patriots in the 4th round (105th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft said simply. “That’s not my business; I’m just getting ready to play the game.”

In the area of reflecting on the task at hand Seattle Seahawks rookie offensive lineman Justin Britt was able to elaborate a tad bit more.

When asked if it has sunk in that he is a rookie and will start in the Super Bowl, Britt let us in on how he is dealing with it,

“I am trying not to think about all that,” said Britt,who was drafted by Seattle out of Missouri in the second round. “I am trying to keep it the same as it has been all year. All these questions I am being asked, I haven’t gotten asked all year. That is something new, but I am trying to not worry about it and maybe reminisce about it at the end of the game. But right now I am just trying to keep it the same as it has been.”
Britt said he has family coming but probably won’t be able to spend any time with them as he gets ready for the biggest game of his career.

“I would like to enjoy it more, but it is a business trip,” Britt said. “A long business trip. It is just another game. I am sure my family and friends will enjoy all this more than I will, as with stuff leading up to the game, but I am trying to make it to Sunday because that is my time to enjoy what is really going on.”
Britt talked about what it is like to block for running back Marshawn Lynch, perhaps the most bruising back in the NFL.

“It is fun to block for a running back like that because you know he is going to fight for the extra inch,” Britt said. “He is going to sacrifice his body every play, every game. For someone to have that mentality, running behind you, it definitely motivates you to push even harder. To scratch and claw to get every inch that you can, just to maybe open up the smallest hole for him to run through. It has definitely been fun to block for him and we will make sure we do it on Sunday.”

Britt also reflected on the unique style of quarterback Russell Wilson who can hurt teams as much with his legs as he does his arm.

“He has definitely added a weapon to the offense, in terms of what we can do and how people defend us,” the 6-6, 320-pounder said. “It has made our offensive scheme and our offensive game plans fun to be a part of. Because at any point the defense might commit to stopping Marshawn and Russell breaks a 30 or 40-yard run. Or they are so concerned about Russell pulling it that they leave a guy checking him and Marshawn gets an extra hole because they took someone to make sure that Russ gave (Marshawn) the ball. It is complicated and I am glad I am on the offense, and not the defense that is playing against it.”

No one is saying Stork is nervous, or that Britt has it all together. Players handle pressure in their own way. Sunday when the Seahawks take on the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX we’ll find out who handled it best.