Waters Ready To Join Bolstered Patriots O-Line
FOXBORO (AP/CBS) -- The New England Patriots are always looking to upgrade and they think they have done so by signing five-time Pro Bowler and 11-year veteran Brian Waters.
Waters has spent his whole career with the Kansas City Chiefs, and offseason at home with his family, so this is a big change for veteran guard.
On Monday, he spoke to the media for the first time and here are some of the things he had to say.
On deciding where to sign: "Actually, I had numerous phone calls. It was just about finding the situation that was best for me. This was a great organization, so why not? Their record speaks for itself. This is a football team that's a contender year in and year out. I had the opportunity to be around the staff and a number of players [during five Pro Bowl appearances] and had the opportunity to spend some time with [owner] Mr. [Robert] Kraft during the offseason [labor negotiations]. It seemed like a perfect fit for me."
On the history of the No. 54 jersey: "I had the opportunity to meet [Bruschi] a few times, and play with him at the Pro Bowl. I do have a great appreciation for the number."
Read: Levan Reid's Patriots Blog
On the switch to right guard: "[I have] a little bit [of experience there]. You have to flip everything in your mind, especially when you've done something for a long time. I don't think it'll take me too long to get it."
On protecting quarterback Tom Brady: "It kinda goes both way. You want to make sure you do the best job no matter who's back there; You know they've got a family to feed and you want to protect them as best as possible. It just so happens this team has a great one back there."
Waters' new teammates and coach also had a few things to say about his addition.
"I think his playing style is one that we feel like – the way that he plays the position is kind of the way we feel like we would want it played," said his new coach Bill Belichick. " I think the fact that he has a little familiarity with our system relative to what Kansas City is doing and all that doesn't hurt. That's not an overriding factor; it's just the part of it. We've gone up against him a number of times. I have a lot of respect for Brian: his play, his professionalism, what he brings to the team."
"I've been a fan of Brian's for quite a while now," said fellow guard Logan Mankins, whose locker is next to Waters' cubicle. "He's a good player and a good guy so we're happy to have him."
"I'm glad he's on this side," nose tackle Vince Wilfork said. "I'll tell you that."
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