Malcolm Mitchell Sounds Unfazed By Patriots Playbook: 'It's Only Hard If You Make It'
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- Of all the Patriots rookies who could make an immediate impact in the NFL, wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell may need to do it sooner than anyone.
The fourth-round pick out of Georgia could see some meaningful snaps in the Patriots offense early in the season if Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola aren't ready to return or need to be eased back into the lineup. History has shown that new players tend to struggle to learn the Patriots' complex offense, at least in year one. It took Amendola more than a full season to establish himself, while countless veteran receivers have just looked lost (oh hey Ochocinco!) trying to pick it up.
Good thing for Mitchell is, he seems not just willing to put in the time and effort necessary to learn the Patriots playbook but surprised that anyone would even view it as such a challenge.
"To be completely honest, it's only hard if you make it," Mitchell said when asked about learning the playbook. "Learning is just simply looking over information long enough until it becomes habit or instinctive, and that's all you have to do."
In all seriousness, Bill Belichick and his staff must LOVE the work Mitchell is putting in and his devotion to learning as much as possible. He skipped the NFLPA Rookie Premiere to learn the playbook. He was spotted chatting it up with Tom Brady and reportedly had a good weekend on the whole. A reporter asked him how long he works at night after practices and he responded, "Until I fall asleep."
Tell me this kid isn't already a Patriots lifer.
When asked about what's struck him the most about Patriots training camp so far, Mitchell reiterated in his own unique way what most newcomers say when they join the Patriots.
"Everything matters, from what you eat to how your hydrate to the amount of rest you get to the amount of time doing plays," said Mitchell. "The cleats you wear, how you strap on your pads, to your mouthpiece ...There's not a piece that goes unnoticed and that is by far the most impressive thing I've ever seen this far in my young life.
"To see something so detailed, you immediately understand why the Patriots are who they are."
It tends to take a while for a receiver to assimilate in the Patriots' culture this quickly, let alone learn the playbook and make an immediate impact on offense. Hopefully, Mitchell is a special case - he certainly sounds like one.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.