Patriots’ Christian Elliss addresses Jaxson Dart hit that sparked skirmish
Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss said he was just doing his job after a hard hit on Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart sparked tension in Monday’s game at Gillette Stadium.
Dart, who returned to action after missing two games due to a concussion, escaped the pocket and ran to his right when Elliss lowered his shoulder and sent the rookie signal caller flying out of bounds in the first half.
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“Make sure to slide,” Elliss simply said when asked what kind of message that type of hit sends to opposing teams’ QBs following New England’s 33-15 win over the Giants.
Added Elliss: “During the play, I saw the scramble, I started chasing him [Dart] down. He started tiptoeing on the sidelines and I thought he was just going to go out of bounds, but then I saw him tiptoeing, stay in bounds… what am I supposed to do?
“We play hard on defense. We try to bring life to this team. So that’s all I was trying to do, do my job and hit anything in the whites.”
After the hit on Dart, Giants tight end Theo Johnson shoved Elliss as players from both teams got involved.
Johnson was flagged for a personal foul as New York was down by 10.
“I understand it. I understand it 100 [percent],“ Elliss said of the dustup. “If that was [Patriots quarterback] Drake [Maye] that took that shot, we would’ve probably reacted the exact same way.”
Dart, who played down the hit, explained that he wouldn’t have done anything differently on the play.
“Look, I understand the question, but this is football,” the rookie said. “I’m going to get hit if I’m in the pocket or outside the pocket.
“I feel like I’ve played this way my whole entire life. It shouldn’t be any shocker to anybody if you’ve followed along with my career. We’re not playing soccer out here. You’re going to get hit, things happen. It’s just part of the game.”
Dart added that he is “going to keep playing aggressive” despite concerns over his fearless playing style.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said his team fed off Elliss’ hit.
“It’s a weekly reminder to the quarterback — our quarterback… I wouldn’t get too cute over there by the sidelines,” Vrabel said.
The Giants (2-11) and the Patriots (11-2) have a bye in Week 14.
New York will play host to the Washington Commanders, while the Patriots will face the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 14.
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