FOXBORO, Mass. — Steven Jackson already has a head start on the New England Patriots’ complex offense.
Jackson, who officially signed with New England on Tuesday, spent the 2011 season playing under current Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who served the same role with the St. Louis Rams.
“He was in St. Louis with Josh, so he has more background on the offense than a lot of the guys we bring in,” Belichick said.
Belichick wouldn’t expound much on why the Patriots decided to bring the 32-year-old running back aboard.
“I think his career speaks for itself,” Belichick said. “We’ll see where it goes.”
It’s possible, of course, the Patriots don’t really know what they’re getting in Jackson. He hasn’t played an NFL game in over a year. He had 190 carries for 707 yards with six touchdowns in 14 games last season with the Atlanta Falcons.
In addition to the connection through McDaniels, Belichick also met with Jackson before the Oregon State product was selected in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Rams.
“Josh was with him in St. Louis, so that’s much more of a factor in our offense, as an NFL player,” Belichick said. “We had a great visit with him in Las Vegas. I’m not taking anything away from that, but I don’t think there’s any question about Jackson’s intelligence, work ethic, character, anything. He’s a great player. Where is he now? I don’t know.”
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
