In Week 3, he participated in pregame warm-ups in the event linebacker Brandon Spikes wasn’t healthy enough to play, but an hour and a half before kickoff, Fletcher was told he wouldn’t make his professional debut against the Bills.
In Week 4 in Miami, Fletcher was active for the first time, but the majority of his snaps came on special teams, save for a handful of late-game defensive reps as the Patriots closed out a 41-14 victory.
But Sunday against the Ravens, Fletcher made his most significant impact on defense. He was added to a third-down package in the second half that included three down linemen, three linebackers and five defensive backs.
Then, during the Patriots' final defensive series of the fourth quarter, Fletcher stopped shifty Ravens running back Ray Rice over the middle of the field, a tackle — Fletcher's lone stop of the season — that saved Rice from running wild and potentially setting up the Ravens for a game-winning score.
"It's a great opportunity when they throw a package together and tell me to get in there and do your job," Fletcher said. "I feel like I did a pretty good job. I just hope they keep that in mind in the future."
Fletcher, who played defensive end at Montana State, knew he had been closing in on some legitimate game action, so he was proud to come through in a key situation. Already this season, Fletcher has seen young guys like cornerback Kyle Arrington, linebacker Jermaine Cunningham and running back Danny Woodhead come through and turn smaller roles into bigger ones, so Fletcher has noticed the blueprint and has something tangible to build from.
"I've always had a lot of confidence in the way I play," Fletcher said. "I think, at this level, you have to. Really, it just made me feel more comfortable just being on the field and getting my opportunity in a [regular]-season game, getting in there on defense when it matters. So I guess, yeah, in a way it brings a little confidence, but it's just getting out on the field and getting experience more than anything."
If there is anything Fletcher has mastered, it's been the way he has practiced. He has earned the black jersey — which signifies one of the Patriots' practice players of the week after a victory — following the last three games. That’s a major sign of respect in the locker room, especially for younger, unproven players, so Fletcher has done his part to get noticed by his teammates.
He has gotten that motivation by the series of disappointing Sundays to start the season, when he was one of eight inactive players for three consecutive weeks. It might have been a little nerve-wracking to go into each Sunday with such a high degree of uncertainty, but it has at least helped Fletcher's discipline in preparation.
"Before I was on the active [45-man] roster and playing, it was kind of like that every game," Fletcher said. "[The coaches] said, 'We're not sure yet. It's going to be a last-minute game adjustment whether we play you or not.' So I just prepared. You've got to prepare like you're going to play, because if you don't and you do play, you're out of the loop. I prepared for it, and when they said I was [inactive], it just makes you practice harder the next week to try to get on the field."
It certainly paid off Sunday against Baltimore, and Fletcher can say he played a significant role in New England's big victory.
