FOXBOROUGH – Training camp began with Keion White ragdolling rookie left tackle Will Campbell to the ground during 1-on-1 pass protection drills and looking the part of a stud edge rusher.
It ended with White playing quite a bit during the third preseason game, a game where most – if not all – of the starting players were given the night off.
During the course of camp and the preseason, the physically-gifted White had seemingly lost his starting job to the newly signed K’Lavon Chaisson.
Speaking with White at his locker Thursday, the Patriots defensive end didn’t care much about the perception he was demoted, or relegated to the second team.
He was rather glib about the subject.
“As long as I have a job, I like the fact that I have one,” White said. “I could care less. They could put me at corner. If they’re going to pay me, I’ll play it.”
That said, White acknowledged having some ups and downs as the weeks progressed through camp, but he still feels like he’s solidly in the mix.
He believes what transpired the past few weeks was all part of his learning process with a new system, and Mike Vrabel trying to get the best out of him.
“I think what a lot of the media sees is competition,” White said. “I think Vrabel has done a good job of making it a very competitive environment for all positions. Every day, I just have to come in here and compete.”
White, now in his third year, had issues last year with the defensive coaching staff, and direction of the defense. He openly voiced those complaints toward the end of the season.
This year, he believes he’s in a better position to contribute, get to the quarterback, and impact games.
“Competition makes everyone better,” said White, who started 13 games last season, registering five sacks. “Me being able to compete every day is just going to make me push myself harder to be at the top.”
Asked if he was the type of player that needed to be pushed, or would he consider himself self-motivated, White’s answer portrayed something in between.
“I kind of keep to myself,” White said. “Vrabel is a very hands on coach. Sometimes I do ask questions, and stuff like that.
“A lot of things I’ve done in the past, I could probably do better,” he went on. “I don’t really reach out that much. I internalize a lot of things.”
White believes Vrabel, as well as his other defensive coaches, are trying to help him attain a level of play many believe he can achieve. They’re trying to unlock his star qualities.
“I think we have a lot of good coaches,” White said. “From the top with Vrabel, to Terrell (Williams), to Mike (Smith), so I think they’re really good coaches, and they’re really good at bringing the best out of their players.”
Mike White, his position coach, said last week once it comes together and clicks for Keion, “you better watch out.”
The Patriots third-year edge rusher didn’t want to get into what transpired last year and how that compared with his situation now. For him, that’s water under the bridge.
He’s looking forward, not back. His focus is on this year. He made that very clear.
With the changes made, and additions brought in, White feels really good about where the defense – the defensive front in particular – is heading into the season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders.
That unit has certainly been hyped, considered by many the strong suit of the team.
White tries to avoid listening to the buzz about the team, whether it’s good or bad.
“For me, I kind of ignore the noise. I don’t really follow all that stuff. Because, if you listen to all the hype, you have to listen to all the negative stuff, too,” White said. “And so, I kind of like where we’re at between Harold (Landry) and KC (Chaisson) having a big role in our room.
“Obviously, we have (Christian) Barmore and Milton (Williams) on the D-line and people like Jeremiah Pharms, who in my opinion, is undervalued by the media of how much he contributes. But I really think we have a good unit, for sure.”
White certainly isn’t shy about expressing his views. And Whether he plays with the starters or subs Week 1, White is ready to go.
“I feel good. This was definitely a lot different training camp than when I came in with Bill (Belichick),” he said. “Between the shoulder pad days, and things like that, my body’s good. I could do 30 more of these training camp days.”
For his part, Vrabel also conveyed that people shouldn’t get too wrapped up in reps. He appreciates what White brings to the table.
”There will be a rotation. We’re going to play a lot of guys on defense,” the Patriots’ head coach said Monday. “I’ve had plenty of conversations with Keion and love how he works and love how he competes.
“We’re going to need him. We’re going to need all three of them, four of them, five of them, however many guys can help us on the edge and affect the quarterback. So, I think when everything is said and done, the snaps are going to be pretty even and equal.”
So for now, Keion’s not sweating it.
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