Nobody is better at handling distractions than the Patriots

Kirby Lee | USA TODAY Sports

Bring it on tabloids, you’re only adding fuel to the fire.

In the wake of recent reports stating that there is conflict in the New England Patriots organization, outside sources have attempted to get under the skin of players and reporters have prodded them for any inside info.

But they won’t budge. They never have, and they never will.

That’s what happens when you have great leadership and focus; and special teams captain Matthew Slater credits head coach Bill Belichick for that.

“Coach Belichick has always led us in a way that’s been very direct, to the point, very focused on the task at hand, being able to live in the moment,” Slater said when speaking to reporters on Monday. “I think the leadership, combined with the mentality of the men that we’ve had around here in my time, has been tremendous, and that helps you just live in the now, focus on things day by day, focus on the things that you can control and take it from there.”

“You just don’t pay attention to it,” safety Patrick Chung said. “It’s hard sometimes when people are just talking, but when it comes down to it, it’s keeping your head down and keep pushing and not worrying about people that aren’t in our locker room and going through things we’re going through. And keep it real tight.”

The Patriots have a strong track record of “ignoring the noise” and using adversity as a way to unite and come out even harder and more focused than ever before.

“In so many ways, adversity that our team has face over the years only makes us stronger,” quarterback Tom Brady said in a Westwood One interview this past Saturday. “Everything is a great opportunity, and we have a great opportunity as a team.”

Malcolm Butler said it best, “Can’t anybody help us but us. We’re all we got, that’s how you have to look at it.”

So like I said above, bring it on distractions and tabloids: The New England Patriots are ready to prove you wrong.

Follow Megan on Twitter: @carnahanmegan