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Chung studying up

Email|Link|Comments (6) Posted by Christopher L. Gasper, Globe Staff May 2, 2009 05:22 PM

FOXBOROUGH -- Rookie safety Patrick Chung, the Patriots top pick in the 2009 draft, has already learned one key difference between college football and pro football -- the density of the defensive playbook.

Chung played in a pretty complex scheme at the University of Oregon, but Bill Belichick's defensive menu has more variety. Chung began digesting the defense the last few days during the team's rookie mini-camp.

"There is a lot more terminology," said Chung. "The Oregon defense was kind of complex, but it's a lot of terminology [here], man. You have to learn it. You have to get in the playbooks, besides what they teach us in the meetings. You have to really, really study. It's a job now."

Chung said there are similarities in what he's been taught of the Patriots defense and what he did at Oregon.

"There are a lot of similarities, just different names for them, different terminology," Chung said. "That's what I have to learn. Can't say Oregon stuff anymore. It's Patriots stuff out there. [I have to] do a lot of studying and pick up on it."

Chung realizes he has a lot of catching up to do if he is to reach Belichick's goal of being able to be competitive with the veterans once training camp rolls around.

"This is a process you have to get ready to do, and you have to work hard every day because these guys have been working hard for years that have been here already," said Chung. "You got a lot of catching up to do. [I'm] just going to keep going hard, and hopefully make an impact."

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6 comments so far...

Thanks Chris, it is hard to believe we have to wait another 3 months just for exhibition. I'm anxious to see all of the new faces on defense.

Posted by Chris C May 2, 09 05:49 PM

Looks like we got someone who gets it. :)

Posted by Gwedd May 2, 09 07:01 PM

If I were Chung I would do everything I could to hand around Mayo. Learn from his work ethic and he will be all right.
Lets not get to exited about these camps as Mike said Chad Jackson was the best player by a mile a couple of years back.

Posted by realist pats fan May 2, 09 07:10 PM

I don't want to get overly excited because I'm not sure if its part of the media hype but is it just me or does Chung really seem to stand out so far? I know he's considered our first round pick and therefore getting more attention than other rookies, but it feels like he just has the mental makeup of a future star and leader of our secondary. Not sure if everything will translate onto the field but he definitely shows the right attitude more than any other rookie that all say they will do what it takes at this time of the year.

Posted by Albert May 3, 09 12:44 AM

Hey Albert...get excited brother! Chung is the real deal. I think Mayo is a good role model, but Chung should tie himself to Rodney Harrison before Rodney retires. Chung reminds me of a young Harrison, but with a more controlled ferocity. Lol, same intensity with hopefully less penalties and fines. I'm starting to see things that are softening the pain caused by the outright theft of the Cassel and Vrabel deal.

Posted by jaxpatriot May 3, 09 10:52 AM

Chung has an uncommon maturity. Because he started kindergarten early in Jamaica, he was only 16 when he graduated high school and enrolled at Oregon. While at Oregon, he started as a 16 year old TRUE FRESHMAN! He started EVERY SINGLE GAME Oregon played during his four years there. This kid is something special.

Posted by Paulie-in-Vegas May 6, 09 06:37 PM

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

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Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

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