FOXBORO, Mass. — Logan Ryan is in his second year with the New England Patriots, but that doesn’t necessarily make him a veteran.
That title — veteran — is one Patriots players believe they have to earn at Gillette Stadium. Third-year pro Chandler Jones wouldn’t even call himself a veteran while speaking at Gillette Stadium earlier in the month.
Ryan is stuck in purgatory between being a rookie and a veteran, but he’s feeling more relaxed with the benefit of a full offseason as a member of the Patriots.
“I feel a lot more comfortable. I feel a lot more confident,” Ryan said Thursday night at Gillette. “I know the defense that we’re running. Now it’s just working on little things. It’s still early, you got 98 days to football. I feel like I’m right where I need to be.”
It’s still unknown where Ryan will line up in 2014, whether it’s at cornerback, safety or both, but the Rutgers product is just happy to be playing football again.
“It’s fun. It’s always fun getting back and playing football, man,” Ryan said about the first two days of organized team activities. “That’s what we love to do. I’ve been doing it since I was a kid. Any time you get to play with the best in the world, it feels good.”
Ryan participated in the Moms Football Clinic at Gillette on Thursday, where he coached New England-area mothers on some basic football drills. Ryan was happy to give back, after his own mother did her part in getting him where he is today.
“This was a lot of fun, man. My mom did so much for me growing up,” Ryan said. “(The clinic instructor)Â said one thing, ‘Your mom and dad, they’re the ones that are there to put on a uniform, how to wash your pads, how to tackle at home.’ I think it’s a great idea. I think it’s a great event. I was happy to be a part of it.”
