LaMont Jordan Q&A

FOXBOROUGH -- A media Q&A with new running back LaMont Jordan:

What are some of your first impressions since coming here?
“One thing I can tell about this organization already is that mistakes are unacceptable. Coach, he always talks about the mistakes that we make. He does point out the good things we do, but he’s constantly pointing out the mistakes that cost you a ballgame. When you have a coach like that, who has been with the organization since [2000] and been very successful, the best thing for me to do is just buy into the program, get in where I fit in, and hope that I make the team.”

How can your experiences in the past – with the Jets and Raiders -- help you this year?
“I’ve always been one to accept responsibility for the things I did and didn’t do. I have to think about the things I did wrong from a personal standpoint and come back and fix those things. One thing about being here in New England, I think some of the things I did wrong are definitely not going to be allowed here. One thing is for sure, every Sunday I went out there and played – and played to win. But sometimes, winning on Sunday is not just about what you do on Sunday, it’s about what you do leading up to it.”

Is there an example you might provide on that – things in the past that maybe you did which won’t be allowed here?
“It’s not something I really want to get into, because it gives the media an opportunity to attack me personally and maybe attack some of the other programs that I played with. That’s not what I’m trying to do at all.”

You were lining up on kickoff returns the other day. Have you done that in the past?
“When I was with the Jets [2001-2004], I was the lead blocker and that’s what they had me doing out here. I want to say we were one of the tops in the league, and I played my part on that.”

Who were the Jets’ top return guys those years?
“We had Jonathan Carter, we had Chad Morton. We had a number of guys.”

Do you have any thoughts on the notebook item in the San Francisco Chronicle , citing two league sources, that indicated Al Davis was upset that you signed with the Patriots? Apparently your release was contingent on not signing with New England or Denver.
"One thing I know about the media, a lot of times they have no idea what they're talking about. I'm quite sure that if my release was contingent on that, it wouldn't have just been heard in the Bay Area. It would have been heard all over. Everybody wants to take a shot at the Patriots, so I'm quite sure the media would have taken a great opportunity. From my understanding, my release wasn't based on that. My release was based on the fact the Raiders no longer wanted me out there. I think that's what it comes down to."

It might be that Al Davis doesn't want to see another Randy Moss situation...
“I'll tell you what, if we have the same results with this Raider, I’ll be happy about that. ... That’s ex-Raider, for the record.” [Jordan didn't want the media to think he still felt as if he was a Raider]

Do you like the sound of that -- ex-Raider, and present Patriot?
"I love it. I think the hardest thing for me so far has been signing autographs. I made a couple mistakes, I put [number] 34 down there because I'm so used to signing 34. But I love the fact that right now I have on a Patriot uniform. When you put on that uniform, I think the name on the uniform speaks for itself. The players that wear the uniform are very privileged. I'm very privileged and honored to wear this uniform."