FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Cornerback Rashaan Melvin arrived in town Wednesday night after receiving word that he had been claimed on waivers by the New England Patriots. By Thursday morning, he was buried in the team’s playbook, setting up in the team’s locker room next to captain Devin McCourty.
“It’s the NFL, things happen fast. One day you might be somewhere, the next day you might be another,” Melvin said before his first practice with the team. “You just have to compete, keep a great attitude, great mindset and when the opportunity comes take advantage of it.”
That’s what Melvin hopes to do with the Patriots, whose depth at cornerback was thinned Thursday with veteran Tarell Brown (foot) absent from practice.
Photo: CB Rashaan Melvin, claimed on waivers from Ravens, says he is "ready to go" health-wise to compete for a job. pic.twitter.com/PNlN9Q5Vs3
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 15, 2015Melvin, who was waived by the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday, donned No. 24 with the Patriots.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to play football, excited to be a Patriot,” he said. “Right now, I know I have a lot to learn, a lot to catch up on, so I’m focused on that.”
The 6-foot-2, 193-pound Melvin didn’t want to look back to the AFC divisional round game against the Patriots, or why things didn’t work out with the Ravens this year.
He did, however, express confidence that he can help the Patriots.
“I think I’m a very talented guy. I’m confident,” he said. “I believe in myself, trust in my abilities on and off the field. I’m a high-confidence guy and play with a strong motor. Like I said, just overall, a positive attitude.”
Declaring himself healthy and ready to compete for a job, Melvin said he trained with safety Tavon Wilson and practice squad linebacker Darius Fleming in Chicago, so it was nice to see familiar faces in the locker room. Practice squad defensive back Brandon Dixon was also a former teammate in Tampa Bay.
“It shouldn’t be hard because I have those guys to look out for me and show me the ropes,” he said.