Blizzard has Pats families scrambling

Published 8:00 am Thursday, January 29, 2015

PHOENIX -– As maniacal and all-encompassing as he can be, Bill Belichick cannot control the weather.

The New England Patriots, all comfy here with a high Wednesday of 77 degrees in the Valley of the Sun, have learned that lesson this week as spouses, children, girlfriends, parents and pals spend valuable time texting, talking about and exchanging photos of snow here and cacti and warmth there.

Worrying about their families and whether they’ll make it here for Sunday and Super Bowl XLIX against defending champion Seattle may not yet be at “distraction” levels, but it is a concern.

“My folks are coming from Mississippi, going to Boston to take the team’s family plane, so I don’t have to worry about them getting out of Boston, I have to worry about them getting in,” said defensive back Malcolm Butler.

The team has a charter plane set for Thursday afternoon, allowing families, team staff and other players, including injured and reserve types, to come out here to Phoenix.

But not everyone has made it into Boston yet.

“My mom is flying into Boston from Indianapolis, and I’m wondering now if she’s going to get there,” said defensive lineman Chris Jones. “So far, the snow hasn’t bothered our plans, and it’s supposed to stop today, from what I hear.”

Jones’ wife Angela has been a godsend, he said.

Not only is she taking care of traveling arrangements, but she’s also making sure all the work gets done around the small farm just outside of Foxboro where they raise pigs and horses. She’s also caring for a couple of dogs.

“She’s been great, handing the ticket situation and who is going to which party,” said Jones. “She’s been taking away a lot of the stress. She can handle a lot more than I can.”

And fear not, animal lovers.

“All the animals are doing well,” said Jones. “She sent me a picture. There’s like 24 inches of snow on the ground, but they all came through it OK.”

One Patriot unable to handle the anxiety at home is injured receiver Aaron Dobson, who will be on the Thursday flight.

“He sent us pictures, and he said stuff looks crazy out there. He’s definitely worried,” said receiver Brandon LaFell.

Offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo has his wife and 6-year-old girl to worry about at home.

“She’s from Florida and has been through hurricanes, but never a blizzard,” said DeGuglielmo of his wife. “I’ve been a little concerned with them back there. We live close to the (Gillette) stadium. She’s got a 4-wheel drive vehicle. So as long as she can get from the house to the stadium, they’ll get on that plane. I don’t care if the roads are snowy, plowed, shoveled or whatever, just find a way to get from the house to the stadium. We’ll be fine after that, because there is no snow here.”

The rookie Butler, a Mississippi native, who played college ball at West Alabama, noted there is a bright side to the blizzard at home.

He’s not there.

“Seriously, I haven’t been (in New England) very long, and I’ve pretty much gotten used to it,” said Butler.

To which fellow safety Nate Ebner cracked, “Just give it some time. You’ll learn to hate it too.”