FOXBORO, Mass. — Austin Collie has been placed in a nearly impossible situation, trying to adapt to the Patriots’ complex offense midway through the season.
The veteran receiver had some familiar faces to greet him in Foxboro, though. Collie worked out with Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman during the 2011 NFL lockout in Los Angeles. One can only assume the facility was called The Steve Largent School for Teaching Grit, Determination, Scrappiness and an Excellent Three-Cone Drill Time.
Collie said he was looking forward to getting some chemistry with his new quarterback. He downplayed meeting the future Hall of Famer saying, “It’s just like meeting you” to a reporter who asked about Collie’s first impression of Tom Brady.
“Obviously you’re behind the 8 ball a little bit,” Collie said about adapting to the Patriots’ offense. “But hopefully with a little extra study time, a little more time with my coach, a little more time with Tom, help from the wide receivers, I’ll be able to pick it up quick.”
Collie made a point that he was not going to talk about his concussions. He said he has put those injuries behind him and he’s ready to move on.
Collie may not be around for long, especially if Amendola can get healthy. The Patriots have seven wide receivers on their roster, which is a lot for any team. They have had four players on the injury report, Amendola with his groin injury, Kenbrell Thompkins with a shoulder injury, Aaron Dobson with a neck injury and Matthew Slater with a broken wrist.
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