FOXBORO, Mass. — Akiem Hicks has no complaints about being traded from the New Orleans Saints to the New England Patriots.
The defensive lineman, whom the Patriots officially acquired Friday, said he’s happy to join a “great organization.”
“Bunches of fun,” Hicks said Monday. “Just happy to be here.”
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick gave some insight Sunday into why the team shipped backup tight end Michael Hoomanawanui to the Saints for Hicks.
“Well, we’ll see how it goes with him here,” Belichick said during a conference call. “He played some different spots at New Orleans, from anywhere from the center out to the five-technique. So we’ll see how that goes here. But, big guy, physical player. We got a good look at him down there and thought that he did some good things. So we’ll just put him into it here and see how it goes.”
The 6-foot-5, 324-pound defender mostly played five-technique end and three-technique tackle with the Saints. He’ll likely back up defensive tackle Dominique Easley with the Patriots.
The Patriots “got a good look” at Hicks this summer when they competed in joint practices with the Saints.
“Both sides had a lot of respect for each other,” Hicks said about those sessions in West Virginia. “Really admired the style, the coaching style and the style of play. It was a good experience overall.”
Hicks saw his snaps decrease in New Orleans this season as he moved to defensive end. He could have a chance to rediscover what made him so successful in 2013, when he had 4.5 sacks.
“It’s always a positive when a team (welcomes) you into their building with open arms,” Hicks said. “I definitely take it as a positive.”
Thumbnail photo via Derick E. Hingle/USA TODAY Sports Images
