Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne had initial fears after learning the New England Patriots were interested in signing him as a free agent.
‘(My agent) said to me,’ They really like you. They have some good things to say about you. I was like, ‘What? New England? “Bourne said at a video conference on Monday.
“I had a whole misconception, but the whole place thought it was too serious.”
After an initial visit to his new team last week, Bourne is no longer worried after signing a three-year contract with the Patriots.
“I thought when I first entered the building, I thought it would all be captured to see how it was going to feel, everyone was looking at me, coaches were meeting, but it was a whole misconception,” Bourne said. “They were relaxed in there. They were relaxed and had fun. They know what they want it to look like. They know they want their organization to be serious, excellence. But behind closed doors it is relaxed. This is fun. There was laughter in there. I stumbled. I thought it was going to be just me.
‘But when Bill (Belichick) first came into the building, he was very cool. (Owner) Robert Kraft was super nice. I just had a very different view of the Patriots in my head. It was a happy medium. You can be a joker, be cool, but we work hard here. It weighs heavier than the silliness, the hard work. I got the happy medium. Turn it off a bit, I can relax. I know when to turn it on. ‘OK, it’s time to be serious, time to work. We have to win this match, or we have to knock out this workout or this weight room workout or whatever it may be. ‘I know how to turn the switch. Football is meant to be fun, and that’s the most important thing. If you deviate completely from that, what are we playing for? What are we doing this for? That’s my thing about it. I was happy when I entered the building and saw people laughing relaxed. Bill, he’s just a nice guy. Misconception by me. I’m excited to be here. ”
Belichick told a story about Randy Moss, former Patriots receiver, who apparently resonated with Bourne.
‘They have a specific playbook. “They told me exercises are hard,” Bourne said. ‘They’re going to be tested with the playbook every day, stuff like that. They are going to give you different looks, different kinds of things you need to see.
‘Bill told us a story about Randy Moss about how he came in and all he did was focus on the playbook. It’s as simple as that. He had his best. This is what I’m going to focus on. If I can comfortably go there to know exactly what I need to do, I know I will be successful. I believe so much in my game. I think it’s going to be a great year. The guys they put around us, the guys who bring them in, it’s going to stick well. ”
Bourne is coming off his best season as a pro as he caught 49 passes for 667 yards with two touchdowns in 2020 with the San Francisco 49ers. He could see his production with the Patriots increasing with increasing playing time, but to expect a campaign similar to Moss’ 2007 season in New England would be foolish.
However, it is a smart move by Bourne to follow Moss’ approach.
Thumbnail via Joe Camporeale / USA TODAY Sports Images