FOXBORO -- Donald Brown has played alongside some very talented quarterbacks over the course of his career. Now, after signing with the Patriots this offseason, the veteran running back will get a chance to play with arguably the best to ever take a snap from center.
"I mean I’ve had the good fortune of playing with phenomenal quarterbacks: Peyton [Manning], Andrew Luck, Phillip Rivers, now Tom Brady," Brown said during a press conference on Thursday. "I mean I’m playing with the best of the best. They all demand a lot, and that’s what I’m all about. I’m here to help any way that I can, and I love to play at a high level, and that’s what we’re all here for, to play at a high level, compete at a high level, and win a lot of games."
Though the Patriots offseason program is still in its early stages -- the team opened things up on Monday -- Brown has had a chance to interract with Brady, and he said that it's already pretty clear to him why Brady has been as successful as he's been. There are a handful of qualities that Brady shares with Manning, Luck and Rivers, Brown explained.
"Just attention to detail, their work ethic, their football IQ, the passion, the love they have for the game," Brown said. "And just in my brief meeting with Tom it’s the same. [He] loves the game, a hard worker, diligent, and that’s what makes him great."
Here are a few other notes from Brown's introductory presser at Gillette Stadium with members of the local media.
* On getting information on New England from former Chargers teammate Danny Woodhead before signing with the Patriots: "It was an absolute privilege playing with Danny. [He’s] just a phenomenal guy, and he spoke very highly of this program so I knew it was a good situation . . . You’re going to be treated as a professional, they expect you to be a professional, and there is a very high expectation there, and that’s what I’m here for and that’s what I’m all about."
* On his frustration level last season, getting a career-low 59 rushing attempts for San Diego: "No, I mean was it frustrating at some point? Whether it’s injuries, different situations like that, but that’s in the past. I’m worried about today being the best player that I can, the best teammate that I can be. And, again, my role will be basically . . . not predicting, [but] my role will be a byproduct of how I work. So as long as I work hard, get in the playbook, expedite this learning curve, everything will take care of itself."
New England Patriots
* On taking pride in blitz pickup: "I take pride in everything I do. You can’t be one-dimensional in this league. You can’t be just a pass-blocker. You can’t be just a short-yardage guy. You can’t be just a pass-catcher. There are injuries in this game. I’ve been a part of games where every running back has gone down. We had to put a tight end in at running back so you have to be ready for any and every situation possible, but I take pride in everything I do when I step on that football field . . . When you work with elite level quarterbacks you are going to throw the ball so you need to protect them. In college it’s a lot different. They hand you the ball every time you’re on the field. Just having that past experience and the importance of pass protection, I mean it’s important. That’s my number one job, to keep the quarterback on his feet and keep him clean."