Kyle Rudolph has made a sharp first impression.
"Boy, he's a friendly target," Cousins said one sunny afternoon last month after completing a pass to his strong-handed tight end during non-contact drills when he wore a wireless microphone to allow the team's video production department to create a brief highlight clip for the website. "It's like throwing into a mattress."
The eighth-year veteran has been happy to oblige his new quarterback, trying to, well, be the best piece of bedtime furniture he can be.
"That's a new one for me. I'm OK with it. Try to make sure that he's always getting a good night sleep, always be there for him. That's kind of my role around here," Rudolph said on Tuesday after practice.
Cousins recently described a play in a red zone situation when he looked at his two-time Pro Bowl tight end during his drop-back but sent the ball elsewhere. Quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski immediately offered some insight to the $84 million guaranteed man .
"In that situation, you might want to give Kyle a chance," Cousins said, recounting what Stefanski advised. "Even though he looks covered, you have to throw him the ball. He's open. He can prove you right."
Having Rudolph available for drills with the first-team offense has been a welcomed bonus for the Vikings Cheap Kevin Hogan Jersey , considering he had surgery on his right ankle in February after playing through pain down the stretch of the season. Rudolph said he's a couple of weeks ahead of schedule on his rehabilitation.
"We have a new offense, a new system, a new quarterback. I wasn't getting any better over there by myself, so it's good to be back out there," he said.
Rudolph is not only the longest-tenured offensive player on the roster, but he and wide receiver Adam Thielen are the only ones who joined the team before Mike Zimmer was hired as head coach in 2014. Thielen was on the practice squad in 2013. In fact, Rudolph, Thielen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs are the only members of the offense who've been here more than three years.
Rudolph, who will turn 29 on Nov. 9, is coming off the most fruitful two-year stretch in the NFL. He had 81 catches for 532 yards and eight touchdowns in 2017 and, just as importantly, played in all 16 games for a third straight season.
He's endured more than his share of injuries going back to his college days at Notre Dame, and that helped minimize any anxiety that might have come with a procedure done at this stage of his career. Rudolph counted five surgeries in the past 10 years.
"It's funny when you sit there: The nurses are getting ready for pre-op Tyquan Lewis Jersey Colts , and the doctors are talking to you. I honestly feel like I'm in the dentist office getting my teeth cleaned. It's so routine, at this point," Rudolph said. "I think at times, your family and friends are more worried about it than you are."
With the skills Cousins has in completing play-action passes and new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo's penchant for using his tight ends in all kinds of spots to maximize their matchup advantages with potentially cornerbacks and safeties, Rudolph is in position for another productive season.
"Obviously, he's had great success with tight ends," Rudolph said. "What he's able to do with all the playmakers and all of the chess pieces that we have on offense, it's been a lot of fun to see."
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The Tennessee Titans have a definite New England Patriots influence these days.
Running back Dion Lewis believes the Titans' acquisition of ex-Patriots like himself and cornerback Malcolm Butler says more about their talent than their background.
"I wouldn't say (they're trying to replicate New England here)," Lewis said Thursday.
"I'd just say they're trying to bring good football players here 鈥?good, smart football players. I'm just happy they thought I'm one of those players to help."
The Titans announced their latest free agent additions Thursday after both players came in and signed their new multi-year deals.
The Patriots' connections in Music City began prior to the 2016 season, when the Titans hired Jon Robinson as the team's general manager. In the 2017 offseason, Robinson signed starting cornerback Logan Ryan, a former Patriots starter.
A few months ago Cheap Rick Leonard Jersey , the Titans made Mike Vrabel 鈥?a former Patriots linebacker 鈥?the team's head coach, and then agreed to terms with Butler and Lewis on Tuesday.
"The New England Patriots are the New England Patriots, and the Tennessee Titans are the Tennessee Titans," Butler said. "But it's all about having great players, great coaches, no matter what organization it is. You know everybody has the same, equal opportunity in the NFL."
Lewis is looking forward to working in a backfield with one of Robinson's first draft picks, 2015 Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. The 5-foot-8, 195-pound Lewis said he's used to sharing carries and that the 6-3, 247-pound Henry should make for a diverse running game in new offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur's offense.
"I think it will be a huge challenge for defenses because you've got a guy a lot bigger than me, and then a guy like me that is quick and can break tackles, too," said Lewis Terrell Edmunds Game Jersey , who ran for a career-best 896 yards last season . "So I definitely think it will make the defense be on their toes on who is in the game. I think that we'll definitely be able to work together and use each other's skillset to benefit each other."
Lewis also caught more than 30 passes in two of the past three seasons.
"It's just using my quickness, using my smarts," Lewis said. "When I see a linebacker trying to guard me, I know I'm expected to win. So anything short of that is not acceptable to me."
Lewis, Butler and Ryan were all part of the Patriots team that won the Super Bowl after the 2016 season. Butler said he's looking forward to re-uniting with Ryan after his former teammate encouraged him to join him.
"Me and Logan together, man, (it was) I got the fast guy and he got the biggest guy (in New England)," Butler said. "We've just got great communication and chemistry over the three years we played together. He's a good friend of mine."
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