The addition of talented but troubled wide receiver Antonio Brown to the Patriots’ roster has rekindled past tales of reclamation projects in New England.
One of the most common names brought up as an example of Bill Belichick’s ability to handle difficult players is running back Corey Dillon.
Apparently, Dillon does think that’s fair.
In an extended interview with The Athletic, the former Bengals and Patriots star attempted to clarify how his career unraveled in Cincinnati and took off upon arrival in Foxborough. Dillon had a career-high and Patriots-record 1,635 yards to help lead New England to a Super Bowl title in his first year in Foxborough in 2004.
“I’ve got nothing against AB. He’s a hell of a football player. I don’t know him personally. I’ve never had an opportunity to meet him,” Dillon told The Athletic. “But I just find it kind of curious every time the Patriots do something, or bring a guy in, my name comes up like I was a bad guy. I’m trying to set that straight.”
Dillon goes on to explain that his exit from Cincy was about the direction of the team, his desire to win and the way he was treated as one of the Bengals most talented, productive stars. He talks about the $4 million he gave up in a restructured contract in his trade to New England and how his goals, mentality and work ethic melded perfectly in the Patriots culture at the time. He certainly doesn’t think the Patriots “changed his life.”
“So when these stories pop up about another player going to the Patriots, my name is one of the first ones they slap up there. Like I was some science project. Nah, buddy,” Dillon told The Athletic. “It didn’t go down like that.
“The thing about AB, I’m praying for my brother. I wish him well. It’s a perfect setup. All he has to do is go catch the football. All he has to do is show up and play and catch the football, and trust me, he will be knocking on a Super Bowl. It’s as easy as that. I’m happy for him. I’ll be watching that.”
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