Obi wants role with Pats ‘D’
Battles crowd at safety
FOXBORO — The Patriots’ safety group is one of the most experienced in the NFL, but Obi Melifonwu is doing his best to break in.
Melifonwu has only played in seven career games, and has minimal experience with the Patriots after joining them midway through last season, but the safety has quietly been turning heads at training camp with consistently strong practices. He faces a tall task in unseating the veterans in the secondary if he wants to make the team in that role, but he’s certainly making a case.
The trio of Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung and Duron Harmon have combined for 25 years of NFL experience. Add in Terrence Brooks, who signed a two-year deal in the offseason, and the Patriots are crowded at the safety position. But Melifonwu, who’s entering his third season, is soaking up as much as he can.
“Accountability and leadership,” Melifonwu said of what he’s learned from them. “They just come out here every day to work like they’re first-year players, and that’s something that I really watch and really look at, and try to emulate.”
It’s more likely Melifonwu would carve a role on special teams if he makes the team, and even that is no given. There’s uncertainty surrounding Nate Ebner, a safety who primarily plays with the special teams unit and is still on the PUP list with an undisclosed injury. Melifonwu’s chances of making the cut could hinge on Ebner’s status.
But there’s still something to be said about how he’s performed in camp when he’s been given defensive opportunities. Melifonwu has gotten multiple firstteam reps at both safety spots, playing alongside McCourty and Chung at times. He’s shown his versatility in coverage and in playing a role on goal-line defenses in practices, and he’s had a penchant for making plays. He’s made three interceptions so far in camp.
“My mindset each day is to come out here and do my job, make sure I know my assignment, make sure I know my alignment and I feel like from there, plays will come,” Melifonwu said. “But I just play to my strengths and play within the defense.”
With size (6-foot-4) and speed (4.40 in 40-yard dash at the 2017 combine) Melifonwu is a different prototype than the other safeties in camp. The 25-year-old out of UConn, who attended Grafton High School, has looked more than comfortable going up against Tom Brady and the rest of his offense.
A second-round pick in 2017, Melifonwu spent his rookie season with the Raiders and was released last October. The Patriots eventually scooped him up and signed him to a two-year deal, though he didn’t earn much playing time — he played sparingly on defense and special teams — as they made their run to the Super Bowl.
But Melifonwu seems to be benefiting this summer from all that time in the system, even if he’s looking at this season as a fresh start.
“It’s definitely helped a lot,” Melifonwu said. “Being able to just be around the guys more and watch the veterans and watch what they do. We have a great leadership group. Being able to just come in and follow the Patriots’ way, it’s been amazing. …
“I feel like any time you get experience with a group of players, it definitely makes it easier. But every year is a new year and honestly, I just try to start over like I just got here every year, and make sure I write down all the plays, make sure I write down all the little hints, all the little nuances that I can. So I feel like every year for me is a start over.”
It remains to be seen if Melifonwu can establish a role in Foxboro. But whether it’s being a core special teamer or a rotational piece in the secondary, he’s happy with whatever he earns.
“It doesn’t really matter when I’m called,” Melifonwu said. “I personally just try to make the most out of my opportunities. Wherever that is, I’m just grateful for it. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be able to play the game that I love.”