Brown also cherishes his relationship with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, even if it didn’t begin so well.
“My first impression? Oh, I did not like (Vrabel). I can say that,” Brown said. “But what it’s grown into? He’s a great guy. He’s a great guy and he coaches hard. He holds his guys accountable. I’m not saying that lightly. He really does. He leads this group, leads the team, and honestly I believe that he’s daring somebody to challenge him. He still thinks he can play.”
Although Brown is less familiar with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, the two have already spoken, with Brown saying that McDaniels has “given me a whole bunch of ideas.”
Asked what kind of role in the offense Brown would need to feel fulfilled, he said: “I’m fulfilled now.”
Brown is even turning back the clock on his uniform number, going from No. 11 in Tennessee and Philly to No. 1 in New England — the number he wore at Ole Miss and previously. Former Patriots receiver Julian Edelman gave Brown his blessing to wear his No. 11, but Brown was feeling nostalgic.
“Just getting back to my roots, you know? … It’s a match made in heaven going back to my roots and it feels good,” Brown said.
Brown’s arrival in New England happened more than six years after he first envisioned it. It was longer than either he or Patriots fans wanted to wait, and even June 1 took a while to arrive. But now that it’s here and Brown is settled in New England, he’s ready to go.
“To the fans, it’s time. Better late than never. We right on time,” he said. “I’m excited, and I can’t wait to get out there in Gillette Stadium and hear the crowd and make plays and have fun.”
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