Vocal DE Hicks still grateful to Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — In a different universe, Akiem Hicks would be practicing at home this week. Before the defensive end accepted a contract with the Bears this March, he first had to say no to Bill Belichick on the phone. The New England Patriots had traded for him at the deadline last year and wanted him to return this season.
‘‘ How could you not want to come back to a true team like this?’’ Hicks said after the Bears- Patriots joint practice Tuesday.
Here’s one reason: Hicks got a larger contract — two years, $ 10 million — with the Bears. He owes a debt to the Patriots, though. For the low price of tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, they gave Hicks a chance to recapture the dominance from earlier in his career.
He had been demoted to second team with the New Orleans Saints and was being asked to play in uncharted depths — like across from the tackle’s outside shoulder.
Asked what he learned with the Patriots, Hicks said he wished he could pick one thing.
‘‘ I have a great deal of respect for this organization and how I was brought in at the beginning of the season, without training camp, and how they just got me acclimated to the system and being able to play,’’ he said. ‘‘ I think the organization of this team is something that every team in the NFL can emulate.’’
Hicks has been easy to find during camp, both in Bourbonnais and at Patriot Place. He has been the Bears’ best — and loudest — defensive lineman.
‘‘ He just plays with an attitude, with an attitude that you want your D- linemen playing like,’’ inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman said. ‘‘ It’s not just him, you know, but him being him, he’s just one of those guys that demands attention. And even though he gets that attention, he’s going to work his hardest to fight through it. And he just thinks he’s the best thing smokin’ out there. And he’s going to play like it, too.’’
It has become contagious, carrying over to linebackers and defensive backs, Freeman said.
‘‘ I get excited pretty easily,’’ Hicks said. ‘‘ But I think that’s part of the position of a defensive lineman, you know? You’ve gotta be able to bring the juice.’’