Patriots' New WR Greg Salas Getting Acquainted With New Team, Playbook
BOSTON (CBS) - While the New England Patriots prepare for the Tennessee Titans, new receiver Greg Salas is having a cram session.
Monday morning, the second-year receiver sat as his locker with his head buried in his new playbook. Acquired via trade from the St. Louis Rams over the weekend, Salas will have to familiarize himself with the Patriots offense in time for Sunday's season opener.
The good news is there are plenty of similarities to the Rams offense, which was run by Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels last year.
"It's just refreshing myself with the material," Salas told a crowd of reporters in the Patriots locker room Monday. "I'm just happy to be here. I know the expectations are to win every game, and that's what I'm here to help do."
A second-year receiver out of Hawaii, the 6-1 Salas is more of a slot receiver, but said he can play inside or out.
"I play hard and do everything that a team asks me to do," he said.
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Salas caught 27 passes for 264 yards in his six games in 2011, highlighted by an eight-catch day in a Week 6 loss to the Packers. He didn't find the end zone during his rookie campaign, but now he'll have Tom Brady throwing his way.
"He seems like a great guy. He's one of the best quarterbacks ever, so it's just an honor to play with him," Salas said of Brady.
Salas will be called upon immediately, as the Patriots let go veteran receivers Deion Branch, Jabar Gaffney and Donte' Stallworth as they trimmed their roster to 53. There is a chance Branch returns in the coming weeks, but until then Salas will get his chances.
Whether he is ready for the Patriots system come Sunday remains to be seen, but it won't be from a lack of trying.
"I'm doing my best to do that, so we'll see what happens," said Salas.
