Mike Gillislee: New England Patriots work harder than Buffalo Bills
Running back Mike Gillislee is new to the New England Patriots, but has already noticed a big difference between his new team and old team.
Mike Gillislee is the latest former Buffalo Bills player to join the New England Patriots. The running back joined the team after he was signed to an offer sheet by the defending Super Bowl champions, which was not matched by the Bills.
Like wide receiver Chris Hogan, who was signed in a similar way in 2016, Gillislee hopes to produce in a major way. So far, he is already seeing why the Patriots have been so successful over the last two decades. The level of hard work the team puts in is something he noted as a huge difference between the two AFC East rivals.
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"“Nothing (negative) about Buffalo. It’s just here, we work hard,” Gillislee said, via The Boston Herald. “Each and every day we did that in Buffalo, but here the expectations are way hither. We work a little harder.”"
That is something that has been said before from others who have made the transition to New England. While not meant to be a knock on the Bills, Gillislee’s former team may take it as such. But, what the Patriots have that the other AFC East team’s – or most teams in the NFL- don’t have is the consistency of head coach.
The way Bill Belichick runs his ship is why expectations run high. If a player is brought in, it is believed that that player will contribute. Gillislee is expected to fill a certain role and he knows he has to work hard to fulfill that role.
A team of leaders
It has only been a couple months, but the talented running back can already see why the team he once played against has been so successful.
"“It’s been great, just coming out here and practicing with my teammates. It’s different the way we work,” he said. “You can see why these guys win. You know why they’re great by the way they work. That’s all it’s been, just working and coming together as a team, trying to win games during the season.”"
Related Story: Mike Gillislee gets his chance to play with the best
Gillislee said the team’s “hustle” and “intensity” are the biggest differences in how players work. He also noted the amount of leadership he has experienced in those he has met as a recognized difference.
"“On this team, everybody that I’ve met, everybody that I see out here (is a leader),” Gillislee said. “It’s just hard just to watch one person. Everybody that you watch is doing the right thing. That’s the great thing about this team.”"
In not so many words, the New England Patriots new running back expressed what may be going wrong in Buffalo.
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