MIAMI Jordan Matthews never caught a pass or played in a game for the Patriots, yet he looks back on his brief tenure in New England as a blessing.

In that short amount of time, man, I learned so much about football, said Matthews, now a receiver with the 49ers. Its like taking a masters class in football when I was with Coach Belichick.

Matthews said he came to Foxborough with a receivers mind-set and said he always had a heightened sense of awareness when it was third down and in the red zone. All other situations took a backseat.

Then I remember sitting in one of those senior meetings, and we went through like a whole week in OTAs, just talking about second-down philosophy, said Matthews. By the end of that week, I had such a heightened level of awareness about second down. OK, were trying to get this many yards, this play. And this many on this play.

It was just like I was learning the game within the game, and so I really ... those moments impacted me and taught me about what it really does take to win in this league.

The lessons kept coming even after Matthews was released in camp in 2018 following a hamstring injury. The professor was Julian Edelman.

Julian was suspended after I got released, but I was still training in Boston, said Matthews. I went to go train one day, and when I want to go run routes, I just had like a T-shirt, shorts, and cleats. Julian comes out, hes got on a helmet, shoulder pads, cleats, got his whole equipment. Im like, This guy is getting prepared for the season. Im working to come out here and stay in shape on some routes. Hes getting ready for Week 5 when hes able to return.

That one afternoon changed Matthewss training habits forever.

So now, when I go run routes up at Vanderbilt or wherever Im at training, Ive got a helmet and shoulder pads on because of that moment, man. I dont even know if hell see this interview, but Jules had a huge impact on me and I cant thank him enough.

JIM MCBRIDE

Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.

Read more from the original source:

The workout with Julian Edelman that changed Jordan Matthewss mindset - The Boston Globe