FOXBORO, Mass. — Buddy Farnham doesn’t say a whole lot, but for an underdog who is scratching and clawing to stay afloat in the NFL, that’s exactly how the Patriots like it.
The rookie wide receiver, who grew up in Andover, Mass., and attended Brown University, is fulfilling his dream of playing for his favorite team. Farnham used to go to Gillette Stadium as a fan and made the trek to Boston for the team's first Super Bowl parade.
"I've just been a huge fan [of the Patriots]," Farnham said. "It's pretty cool to be here now."
Farnham has followed in the footsteps of former Brown standout Sean Morey, who hails from Marshfield, Mass., and was taken by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 1999 draft. Morey, currently a wide receiver for the Seahawks, has also spent time with the Eagles, Steelers and Cardinals.
Farnham called Morey a longtime role model, and the elder wideout helped the youngster prepare for this very step of his NFL journey. After going undrafted, though, Farnham's voyage will undoubtedly be more difficult. He was invited to try out for the Patriots during the team's rookie camp a month and a half ago, and the team quickly offered him a contract.
Farnham, a 6-foot, 185-pounder, had a decorated career at Brown. He capped it off in 2009 when he was named the Ivy League's Co-Player of the Year after catching 74 passes for 1,003 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Farnham knows he won't see those numbers in New England this season, but he also knows he'll work his hardest to make any kind of impact. He'll bury himself in the playbook, motor through practices and try to get noticed as someone who could help the team.
As a best-case scenario, Farnham might end up on the practice squad, learn underneath Randy Moss and Wes Welker and potentially turn that into something bigger down the road. And at this point, Farnham would certainly be cool with that.
"All I do is come out here and do what I'm told 100 miles per hour," Farnham said. "Whether you're an underdog or not, that’s all you can do."
