FOXBORO -- New Patriots receiver Greg Salas has a lot to catch up on and not a lot of time to do it in.
A Saturday, post-cutdown addition to the team via trade, Salas has just one week before New England takes on the Titans in regular season action. The 24-year old was buried in the playbook during Monday's locker room availability.
"Just refreshing myself with the material and just concentrating on everything about Tennessee," he told the crowd of reporters.
Salas looked a little nervous. He certainly ain't in St. Louis anymore.
"It's a big difference. I'm just happy to be here."
Why him? Why not Jabar Gaffney, Donte' Stallworth, or (as of now) Deion Branch?
On Sunday, Bill Belichick gave a nod to the young receiver's versatility. And having a solid recommendation from former Rams head coach, current Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels can't hurt -- though Belichick said there was more to it than that.
"Josh had some firsthand experience with the player, no question. But we scouted him coming out of Hawaii and followed him last year. We had a good feel for him before Josh was here just based on our scouting department and working him out and getting ready for the draft and all that."
The sample size of production in St. Louis was small, after all. Salas played just six games his rookie year because of a broken leg. He was productive for the Rams, recording 27 catches for 264 yards (22 catches in the last four games) in that span.
There are no limitations on that leg now.
So it helps the new playbook has some similarities to the old. The familiarity helps. As for where he'll be utilized in the offense, Salas believes he can play both outside and in the slot, as alluded to by Belichick.
"I know the expectations here are to win every game and that's what I'm here to do."