Watson back for seconds
16th NFL camp feels ‘surreal’
FOXBORO — Tight end Ben Watson is 11 training camps beyond his self-prescribed NFL expiration date.
Watson, 38, completed his 16th opening day of training camp in his second stint with the Patriots on Thursday at Gillette Stadium.
“It’s good to be back, and it is the first step in a long road for all of us,” Watson said. “It’s honestly hard to believe it’s (16) because I honestly didn’t think I would make it past five.
“I consider it a blessing to be walking back out here for a 16th time. That’s something that is really special and I can’t take it for granted.”
Watson was selected by the Patriots out of Georgia in the first round (32nd overall) of the 2004 draft. Watson played six seasons (2004-2009) for Bill Belichick and participated in the Patriots’ 24-21 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville, Fla.
Watson then played for the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and did two stints with the New Orleans Saints before finding his way back to Foxboro.
“It’s surreal, but it’s different,” Watson said. “It is a different year and a different time in my life, and a totally different team in a totally different situation that I’m walking into.
“But to come back to some form of familiarity, to come back and see the fans and put this jersey back on definitely brings back good memories.”
The Patriots’ situation at tight end changed dramatically with the retirement of All-Pro Rob Gronkowski, who walked away at the top of his game with a Super Bowl ring.
Watson is one of five new or incumbent tight ends on the training camp roster, but his tenure begins under the cloud of an NFL suspension.
Watson failed a drug test in March and was suspended for the opening four games of the season. Watson will have an opportunity to showcase his talents because he is eligible to play in the preseason, which begins Aug. 8 against the Lions in Detroit.
Watson understands he will have to establish a significant mental and physical base in training camp in order to play beyond his suspension.
“While I’d been here before, this is a new place,” Watson said. “It is a totally different offense, a totally different team, and I’m a different player.
“It’s important for me this year because anytime you go to a new place, it’s tough.”
Watson is excited to be reunited with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who is beginning his 20th Patriots training camp. For nine of Watson’s 15 NFL seasons, he has received passes from future Hall of Fame quarterbacks Brady and Drew Brees. In 2008, Matt Cassel, stepped in when Brady tore his ACL in the season opener.
“It is amazing how tremendously you can grow as a player when you have the right coach, the right system, the right offensive coordinator, but also the right quarterback,” Watson said.
“There is a certain gene in a lot of quarterbacks that makes them compete and perfect their craft with other players. With Tom and Drew, it was staying after practice and running extra routes, it was in the meeting room and watching on films.
“Them vocalizing helps you grow as a player.”