“You know what, to be honest with you, I never hated the Patriots,” Holt said on a conference call with the New England media. “I honestly can say that. I’ve never hated the Patriots. I will never forget it. I’ll never get over that loss in the Super Bowl because it takes so much to get there. To lose that game, it hurts. It hurts to get to the big game and to lose. But in terms of hating them, I don’t hate anybody. I wasn’t raised that way, and I never thought that way.”
Holt, a potential Hall of Fame wide receiver, signed with New England on Tuesday. He has the reputation of being a great personality in the locker room, making him a perfect fit for a team that was committed this offseason to bringing in character guys.
For one, Holt said he used to pick tobacco during his days at North Carolina State, and that hard labor helped him build strength, learn life lessons and a strong work ethic. That might have something to do with the fact that he’s remarkably only missed three games in his 11-year career.
Yet, Holt turns 34 in June and is coming off his worst statistical season during his lone year with the Jaguars. Granted, Jacksonville’s offensive system is built around the running game, and quarterback David Garrard couldn’t hold Tom Brady’s jock. Holt maintained he’s got enough in the tank to help the Patriots in 2010.
“I’ve still got plenty of football left to play,” said Holt, who caught 51 passes for 722 yards last season. “I honestly believe that. I train. I prepare that way. I think that way. I carry myself that way, so it’s just a matter of continuing to get the opportunity to play and make plays for the football team. Coming to New England, hopefully, I have the opportunity to do that. You’re talking about playing with some of the most prolific offensive players that the National Football League has. I think the sky is the limit.”
Holt said his agent has been “diligently” working with the Patriots since he was released by the Jags in February. The wideout eventually turned down a “couple” of other serious offers to sign with New England after visiting Foxboro on Tuesday.
“The New England Patriots’ situation and opportunity looked and felt really good,” Holt said. “You’re talking about an organization that is committed to winning, committed to working hard, committed to improving their organization, improving their football team, improving as players. I couldn’t ask for anything better than that.”
