
As the face of the franchise finds himself embroiled in the over-hyped scandal that's dominated the NFL's offseason, the 2015 rookie class of Patriots is adjusting to life at the professional level.
Trey Flowers, a defensive lineman picked in the fourth round out of Arkansas isn't surprised by what's challenged him the most.
“Obviously it's going to be the speed of the game." said Flowers. "That's why I'm here and I'm just trying to condition right, trying to work hard, trying to get into the playbook and do things that will allow me to make that transition to the NFL.”
Flowers was one of four players with d-line experience picked in this year's draft by New England. Malcom Brown from Texas, Geneo Grissom from Oklahoma and Xzavier Dickson from Alabama will be counted on to bolster a pass rush and provide support for a defensive backfield that still has to be rebuilt.
"Obviously coming in, your rookie class you're going to get to know them first," said Flowers. "You've got meetings with them, you work out with them, you do a lot with them; live with them. You're going to get to know those guys. I would say we've got a little bit of a bond.”
Grissom and Flowers are rooming together during OTAs, which has helped the learning process for both players.
“If I have a question, I know I can go to Trey and ask him. He does the same with me,” said Grissom.
Each of the rookies realizes how fortunate he is to join a winning organization, but eager to leave a footprint of his own.
“Well, really, I wasn't a part of that team," said Shaq Mason, an offensive lineman from Georgia Tech selected in the fourth round. "You never hear Super Bowl talk around here. We're just focusing on this season.”
Mason, along with Tre' Jackson, is fighting for a spot on the offensive line. Both have spent most of their time in Foxboro.
“I had great experiences at Florida State," said Jackson. "Now I'm just trying to transfer it and do the things that my coaches need me to do as far as getting better on the field, off the field [and] things like that.”
“Coming in, the guys told me nothing is given here, so I'm going to have to work every day," said Mason. "And that was the plan – to work every day, study as much as possible and get to know as much as I can.”
OTAs continue Friday in Foxboro, with a full session open to the local media.
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