Marqise Lee reveals Patriots' new WR coach, first impressions of position group

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According to the Patriots' official website, New England still doesn't have wide receivers coach after Joe Judge left to coach the New York Giants.

According to Marqise Lee, their website could use some updating.

In his introductory video conference with reporters Wednesday after signing with the Patriots in free agency, Lee referred to Mick Lombardi as the team's wide receivers coach.

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"I’ve gotten the opportunity to talk to Coach (Jedd) Fisch here and there, but for the most part, I’ve talked to the receivers coach, Coach Mick,” Lee said. "Just trying to stay on top of my things with him, but if I do have other questions, if he’s busy or things like that, I do have the opportunity to talk to other people."

Lombardi -- the son of former Patriots executive Mike Lombardi -- is currently listed as the team's assistant quarterbacks coach but interviewed several wide receiver prospects ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, according to reports.

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer also reported last month that Lombardi's "focus has shifted to wide receivers" following Judge's departure, while Fisch -- who still isn't listed on the official coaching staff -- will coach quarterbacks alongside offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

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The 31-year-old Lombardi faces a tall task: Julian Edelman and Mohamed Sanu are the only two returning wideouts with at least one year of NFL experience, joining 2019 rookies N'Keal Harry, Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski alongside newcomers Lee, Damiere Byrd and Devin Ross.

Lee comes with his own red flags after appearing in just six games over the last two seasons due to injury. But the 28-year-old veteran says he's getting along with his new position group quite well via virtual hangouts amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"It's been great," Lee said. "All the receivers from Julian to Mo to Damiere, to everybody, N'Keal -- having an opportunity to get in group messages with them and having the opportunity to talk to them.

"I just feel like everybody is down to earth and ready to work. ... It's typical stuff we talk about: We just sit around for 10 minutes and just socialize about our families and make sure everybody's good."

Those socially-distanced hangouts likely will continue for some time, as the NFL has extended its virtual offseason program through the end of May, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

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