Patriots rookies get acclimated to New England sports culture with visit to Celtics, youth football clinic
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Why Patriots rookies are still in Foxboro, and Kyle Williams’ ‘Don’t drop the money’ mindset
Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams is just weeks away from his first NFL training camp. Williams said their rookies-only program has been an extension of OTAs and minicamp. Williams got some run with starters in the spring, but he looks forward to more reps facing what looks like an elite Patriots’ secondary – particularly Christian “Gonzo’s” Gonzalez. The rookies took a trip to the Celtics’ Auerbach training center a few days ago, and Williams joked he wanted to join another team. They were on hand to help coach a one-day skills camp for kids ages 7-14 in Hyde Park.
“My mindset is don’t drop the money. Every time the ball is there, it’s a bag of money. We can’t let that hit the floor, because [then] that’s somebody else’s. Just being able to make those plays, just showing that I can compete against those top-tier guys in the league,” Williams said after volunteering at a Boston youth football clinic Thursday.
The Patriots rookies remain in a developmental program since the veterans left last week, and all were on hand to help coach a one-day skills camp for kids ages 7-14 in Hyde Park. Will Campbell helped youngsters get into three-point stance to block, while TreVeyon Henderson showed them how to sharped up their cuts with the ball.
Williams said their rookies-only program has been an extension of OTAs and minicamp.
“Just working it out, going over the schemes and plays. Getting accustomed and all caught up,” he said. “It’s just been a blessing to be around the rookies, create more bonds and everything, relationships.”
One relationship he’s fostered is with fellow rookie Efton Chism III, an undrafted free agent receiver who also played college ball in Washington. Williams went to Washington State, while Chism played at Eastern Washington University.
“Efton is one of those dudes that pushes me to work harder.
We’re local Washington dudes, we share the same culture. Just having that is a blessing,” he said.
It hasn’t been all strictly work for the young Patriots. The rookies took a trip to the Celtics’ Auerbach training center a few days ago, and Williams joked he wanted to join another team:
“It was fun. You know, I was going out there for a 10-day contract. I tried to get some shoes, but they only start at a 13 ½, which shows you how big those NBA players are.”
Williams got some run with starters in the spring, but he looks forward to more reps facing what looks like an elite Patriots’ secondary – particularly Christian “Gonzo” Gonzalez.
“It makes me excited because Gonzo’s, like, I think it’s an iron sharpens iron thing. Going against Gonzo is going to help me better my game,” he said.