New England Patriots: Eric Decker praises ‘detailed-oriented’ Tom Brady

Veteran wide receiver Eric Decker is settling in with his new team which includes learning from New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. 

Eric Decker had his sights on joining the New England Patriots for quite some time.  Last week, that wish became reality as the team signed the veteran wide receiver to a one-year deal.

Now that he is officially in the mix, Decker is focused on learning the playbook and catching up in a very complicated offense led by an amazing quarterback.  While the 31-year-old receiver had played with a great quarterback in Peyton Manning, he recognizes extra work will have to be put in to form chemistry with Tom Brady.

Speaking to the media following practice at Gillette Stadium Tuesday, Decker opened up about his impressions on the 41-year-old GOAT.

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"“He’s one of the best, if not the best,” Decker said.  “Just the way, again, he goes about his business.  Detail takes care of himself on the field, again, detail-oriented, commands in the huddle, pushes people, keeps you accountable.  Things that you want in a leader and it’s been fun to be his teammate these last few days and kind of learn how he carries himself as a player and things that I can take and help myself.”"

It is kind of fitting that these two players get a chance to play with one another towards the end of their careers.  As Patriots fans, we all know about the greatness of TB12, but Eric Decker has always watched from the opposite side of the field.

Though he brings his own championship experience to the table, Decker has never been a part of a stabilized winning organization like this, which was a reason he wanted to come to New England.  Add the fact that his former head coach, Josh McDaniels, is the offensive coordinator, Decker should find a niche within the offense, especially with the recent bad luck the team has had at the wide receiver position.

If any quarterback can utilize whatever Eric Decker has left in his tank, it is Tom Brady.  As one of the few offensive players to have played with both Brady and Peyton Manning, Decker found a familiarity between the two greats.

"“Just the habits,” Decker said about Manning.  “How he came to work, how he took care of himself physically, the way he watched tape, the way he practiced, the extra work that he put in, those things translate Sunday.”"

The New England Patriots new wide receiver believes Brady is exactly the same way.  He has watched the way he commands the huddle similar to Manning and how he pushes those around him to be better and hold themselves accountable.

That is what Decker needs at this point in his career.  He has had his 1000-yard seasons and he has won the big game.  Now he gets an opportunity to do something amazing and that is win a Super Bowl with two Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks.

Although a roster spot is not guaranteed, watching how Tom Brady and Eric Decker form a connection on the football field will definitely be interesting to watch.