Kyle Arrington embraces fight for playing time

Amongst names like Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner, and Alfonzo Dennard, you may forget a certain 6th year Patriot, but that's nothing new to Kyle Arrington. Much like defensive lineman Rob Ninkovich, Arrington started from the bottom (and yes, now he's here). Doing things the Belichick-ian way, working from special teams to key role player, Arrington won't shy away from the challenge presented by the star studded names above (as well as young up and comer Logan Ryan). He told the Providence Journal just as much in a recent interview discussing both Patriots' training camp, and his upcoming youth football camp.

Here's a bit of the conversation Arrington had with Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal

Arrington anticipates the competition to be high in training camp, but he is looking forward to it.

“Oh man, that’s what it’s all about in this game. It’s all about competition, and we have a great group of guys,” Arrington said. “The guys you just mentioned, Revis, Browner … their body of work speaks for itself. I’m definitely looking forward to training camp. When things get full throttle, things should get interesting and be fun.”

Things will get interesting for sure, but Arrington has a few tricks up his sleeve that could keep him consistently in the rotation. We all know this coaching staff has high expectations, and we've seen several talented players unable to pick up systems. Arrington is a known commodity, and a stabilizing individual in that defense. Assuming that Revis and Browner pick up the playbook, Arrington would have to rely on the experience he has over the younger Ryan and Dennard.

Arrington spoke to the benefits of experience in the same article as above

The cornerback says with each season he plays, the game gets slower for him.

“Now it’s about anticipation, being able to read thing quicker,” Arrington said. “From your rookie year to this year, your head is not spinning 100 miles per hour.”

Regardless of his on the field role, Arrington could be a key contributor behind the scenes. Revis and Browner are bound to have scheme questions, Dennard may have to adjust to some reps in the slot, and Ryan is bound to have growing pains across the board. While Arrington may have to fight for playing time, he may be more crucial to this secondary than he's ever been.

-Bill Stiles
@TheFib0624