FOXBOROUGH – Stefon Diggs didn’t want to talk about his personal life with reporters.
He didn’t want to discuss what happened on the party boat, where a video went viral last month showing him with a collection of bikini-clad women, offering them an unidentified pink substance from a bag.
He didn’t offer up any details, or boast about his relationship with rap star Cardi B during his first meeting with the media since the video came out.
And while he was polite, charming and engaging during the 10 minutes or so he answered questions inside the practice bubble, there were no explanations, or mea culpas for the tawdry video he was willing to share on social media Memorial Day weekend.
He confirmed that he and Mike Vrabel had spoken about the incident. He also spoke with “other” people in the building, which suggests owner Robert Kraft may have also been involved.
Diggs also echoed what Vrabel said about making good choices. That was the extent of what he was willing to share.
But will it be enough? Will Diggs, who seems to love the limelight and all that comes with being a star receiver, toe the line from here on out?
The Patriots are banking on it.
“I’m just happy to be here. I’m happy to be back at work, seeing the guys, being around the guys,” Diggs said following Tuesday’s indoor minicamp workout. “Football is the main thing, and the only thing I care about is winning. Keeping the main thing the main thing.”
In other words, leave his down time out of it. Of course, he could also be under strict orders to keep what happened under wraps – for legal reasons and beyond – and keep the focus on football.
That works as long as he keeps to Vrabel’s script and makes better choices when it comes to the football team.
That’s why his relationship with Vrabel bears watching.
The Patriots coach, who was none too pleased to have to deal with the fallout from the video, has been lukewarm at best when asked about Diggs recently. He’s praised the receiver’s engagement when in town, but outside of that, not much more.
He was hoping to see Diggs more often during the voluntary OTAs. It didn’t happen.
On the field, however, all seems fine.
Vrabel and Diggs engaged in a little trash-talking at one point early in practice. It all seemed good-natured.
Diggs also told the media he was a “huge fan” of the Patriots coach.
“I can tell he was part of championship teams. He knows what it looks like. He knows what the DNA looks like – and he’s a grinder. He’s not going to take it easy,“ Diggs said. ”He talks a lot of smack, too, surprisingly … I can’t wait to play for him. He’s got that itch that you want to run through a wall for him. I look forward to it. Me and him go back and forth in practice and I’m not even participating.”
The bigger question is whether Vrabel feels Diggs, who has never been in the big game, has championship DNA.
Diggs, who signed a three-year, $69 million contract which included $26 million in guaranteed money, was coy when asked if he had passed a physical – “maybe I passed it, but it’s kind of up to them” – or if he had been paid any of his money – “I got to check the (bank) account.”
Whatever the correct answer, Diggs was present for the two days of mandatory minicamp so it appears he and Vrabel have brokered peace for now.
Given the need to surround Drake Maye with better weapons, Vrabel and the Patriots appear willing to put up with Diggs’ baggage.
And watching the 31-year-old participate in a “limited” capacity at practice as he continues to rehab from ACL surgery, it’s pretty clear how much he’s needed in the offense.
Practicing in the bubble Tuesday, Diggs showed incredible burst when running after catch. During drills during OTAs and minicamp, he’s stood out. Whether its the precision of his routes, or his take-off after catch, Diggs still looks like a star.
From a coverage standpoint, he’s going to make everyone around him better. The Patriots, who don’t exactly boast a top-end receiving room, need what he brings to the table.
As for his readiness for training camp in five weeks, Diggs didn’t want to make any predictions. But he did indicate his knee felt pretty good, and his movement on the field supports that.
“It’s always been a process. I was seven months (from surgery) on Saturday. So it’s a nice seven-month reunion, and I feel great,” he said. “Been out here grinding with the boys. Been definitely a process but it’s on the back end now.”
Diggs fancies himself as a leader. He enjoys mentoring young receivers, and offering them advice.
He’s been a cheerleader watching good plays, and he’s hooked up with Josh McDaniels if something doesn’t seem quite click with the offense.
“I’m as engaged as I can be. I can’t run a route, but I can take mental reps. I can have those conversations on what I’m thinking about,” Diggs said. “If I’ve got a question about a route, if I don’t know the play, I want to hear it. You know, just hearing it as much as I can.
“I think it would be good for me and spending a lot of time here. That’s why I look forward to training camp. You know, training camp is when you put the pedal to the metal. But I’m gonna do a lot, a lot of homework prior to getting there.”
That’s what Vrabel & Co. are hoping.
