Mike Reiss, ESPN Team of workers Editor
FOXBOROUGH, Pile. — Veteran operating again Ezekiel Elliott saved flashing smiles throughout his introductory information convention with New England Patriots journalists. At one level, he winked.
It displays how Elliott, upcoming spending the primary seven years of his NFL profession with the Dallas Cowboys, has briefly felt at house as a Patriot.
“I think if you look at my play style and the culture of this team, it’s a good match. I think I’m a good fit,” he mentioned Wednesday.
“I was at home for a long time, so I thought I definitely should come in and be kind of an energizer boost. The transition has been good. I’ve been getting along with the team. Love the coaches, love the atmosphere and love this program. Just having fun.”
As for the speculation of proving doubters fallacious, he mentioned: “I don’t think any outside entity could put more pressure on me than any pressure I have for myself. So, it’s not really to go out and prove anything to anyone but just go out there and show what kind of player I am.”
The Patriots formally introduced Elliott’s signing on Aug. 16, and as a part of teacher Invoice Belichick’s desire to restrict hype, Elliott wasn’t made to be had to talk with journalists till seven days then.
The 28-year-old participant referred to Belichick as a “great coach” and “funny guy” Wednesday, including that he “demands excellence of his team and knows how to get it out of it.”
Belichick has regularly greater Elliott’s workload over the date date, and, in Wednesday’s full-pads observe, Elliott’s presence on the function layout was once noteceable when he confirmed important perceptible and decisiveness to shorten again between the best shield and proper take on for a would-be landing.
Elliott has been taking snaps at the back of starter Rhamondre Stevenson, with whom he stocks the similar agent. The 2 met in 2021 upcoming a Patriots-Cowboys recreation and feature remained alike.
“He’s a back that has a similar running style as me, so I think we’ll be able to complement each other very well,” Elliott mentioned.
Teammates have famous Elliott’s transition over the date date, which started when he traveled with the membership to Inexperienced Bay endmost date for practices with the Packers.
“He looks good. You can tell he’s a guy that’s hungry, and motivated, and wants to prove he’s still Zeke,” veteran protection Adrian Phillips mentioned. “I think he is, and it’s been fun to have him.
“He needs to return in and be informed what the tradition is right here. He hasn’t attempted to step on someone’s ft — the very first thing he did was once are available in and say, ‘What’s up?’ to everyone’ — and needs to get to grasp everyone. He’s a groovy man.”
Elliott could see his first action as a Patriot in Friday’s preseason finale on the road against the Tennessee Titans. He said he stayed in good physical condition over the offseason.
“I used to be at house, however I used to be surely operating my tail off,” he said. “I believe I did one life of conditioning upcoming I signed, and so they threw me proper in there. I believe just right. I believe like I’m able to play games.”
