Flores able to coordinate new duties
PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK
FOXBORO — Brian Flores is an NFL defensive coordinator without portfolio.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick has not officially named a new defensive coordinator to replace
Matt Patricia, who left to become the head coach of the Detroit Lions after 14 seasons in New England.
Flores hasn’t even been awarded the title of “interim” defensive coordinator but is generally recognized as the de facto overseer of the defensive line, linebackers and secondary.
Flores is listed as linebackers coach and he was coy with his responses concerning his job description or any status upgrade.
“Every year is a little bit different and there is change on every team every year,” said Flores during an outdoor gathering of coaches yesterday at Gillette Stadium.
“There is always change and that’s the game. You have to make adjustments on the field, you have to make adjustments on the staff and it is no different than any other organization. You have to make adjustments and work with different people in different roles.”
The Patriots invested significantly in linebackers by selecting Ja’Whaun Bentley of Purdue in the fifth round (143rd overall) and Christian Sam of Arizona State in the sixth (178th) during the NFL draft.
“The first time we really got them was this morning and their introductory phases have been good,” said Flores. “Two good prospects but it is so early and we don’t know enough.
“The sense I get is they are hard-working kids and they want to get better and they want to win.”
Catching on
The Pats traded away speedy Brandin Cooks and lost reliable slot-man Danny Amendola this offseaon but wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea has a positive thoughts about the arsenal he’ll develop for quarterback Tom Brady.
The Patriots signed Bills free agent Jordan Matthews, acquired Cordarrelle Patterson in a trade with the Raiders and drafted Braxton Berrios out of Miami in the sixth round.
The three newcomers will compete with incumbents Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, Malcolm Mitchell and Kenny Britt. Edelman suffered a torn ACL in a preseason game and missed all of last year.
“It is a very competitive group and we have a lot of good players at that position that are working really hard right now,” said O’Shea. “I’m looking forward to get those guys on the field and I’m real excited about them on the field.”
Caley’s cadets
Rob Gronkowski has elected to sit out the voluntary offseason conditioning program so tight ends coach Nick Caley is intent on finding and developing his backups.
The Pats acquired former Cardinals free agent Troy Niklas and selected Ryan Izzo out of Florida State in the seventh round NFL draft. They will compete for the open spots with holdovers Dwayne Allen, Jacob Hollister and Will Tye, a practice squad player who spent time with the Giants and Jets.
“Whoever is here and we are going to help them continue to increase their level of play and there is always room for improvement and things to work on,” said Caley.
Sony disposition
Running back coach Ivan Fears likes everything about Georgia ball carrier Sony Michel, the Pats’ second pick in the first round (31st).
Michel played in 14 games and rushed for 1,227 yards on 156 carries while leading the Bulldogs to the FBS title game against Alabama. Michel will compete to fill the roster spot vacated by Dion Lewis, who decamped for the Tennessee Titans.
“They absolutely loved him down there in Georgia and all we got were great accolades as a player and as a person,” said Fears. “From our one meeting this morning it seems like we are going to have some fun.” . . .
The Pats announced the signings of six of their nine draft picks including Bentley, Sam, Berrios and Izzo. Quarterback Danny Etling and defensive back Keion Crossen, both seventh-rounders, also signed. First-round picks Isaiah Wynn and Michel remain unsigned.