FOXBORO, Mass. -- Fans, reporters and pundits might be making a big deal about the revamped Patriots offense -- but the players are a different story.
Throughout voluntary OTAs and after Tuesday's mandatory minicamp practice, New England's players downplayed the significance of the changes made to the coaching, play-calling and terminology on offense. In fact, some, especially Kendrick Bourne, have gone so far as to praise the staff, including Joe Judge, for what they've done this offseason.
Of course, some of that likely is Patriots-speak, because players surely won't share their true feelings if they have negative feelings toward the direction of the offense. But running back Rhamondre Stevenson sounds genuinely unaffected by adjustments made to a system that he worked hard to learn as a rookie.
"Just go back to Square 1 -- it's a new year, anyways," he said after Tuesday's minicamp opener. "New scheme, that's going to be a part of it, anyway, no matter with coaching changes or not. So, just learning new things and getting familiar with the new system."
Before practice, Bill Belichick indicated the most significant changes will be made to the offense's notoriously complex language. "It's a good time to streamline things," he said.
It's all the same to Stevenson, who noted his offseason focus has centered around route-running and becoming a more viable third-down back.
"You just gotta get in your books and know the playbook," he said. "It doesn't matter what it was called last year. You just gotta be a student of the game and pick up quick -- it's the NFL."
He added: "It's just a new set of play calls. That's it, it's not too difficult."
Fair enough.
Stevenson had an uneven training camp and start to the 2021 season but eventually emerged as a potential star for the Patriots. In 12 games, the rookie racked up 606 rushing yards and five touchdowns to go along with 14 receptions for 123 yards.
