Notebook: Can James O'Shaughnessy overcome curse of lousy locker location in quest for roster spot?

FOXBOROUGH — James O’Shaughnessy got a bad draw.

The tight end, who was acquired this offseason by the Patriots in a deal with the Chiefs, was given a locker in the far corner of the New England locker room, a piece of real estate that has only seen relatively short-term inhabitants for most of the last few seasons. (Previous inhabitants include Jonas Gray, Kenbrell Thompkins and Tommy Kelly.) The 25-year-old professed not to know about the unfortunate history of the locker when he was asked about it on Monday afternoon. But he sounds like the type that might have what it takes to overcome the less-than-ideal hand he's been dealt.



After struggling with injury the first couple weeks of camp, he performed well Saturday against the Texans, making his case to stick as the third tight end on the roster with five receptions on six targets for 41 yards in the loss against Houston. He also got plenty of run on special teams — his 21 snaps in that area were tied for second-most on the team for the evening. His pass-catching, blocking ability and special teams value can separate him from a group that includes Matt Lengel, Sam Cotton and Jacob Hollister.

“He kind of got back into action this week in the kicking game and offensively,” Bill Belichick said of O’Shaughnessy’s effort Saturday night. “So, again, there were some good things and there were some things that he’ll need a little more work on and were a little rusty. But, again, I thought overall, I thought he competed well and gave a good account of himself last night.”

Of course, O’Shaughnessy has experience working as a backup to a start tight end. He served as the No. 2 in Kansas City behind Travis Kelce the last few seasons, and said Monday he welcomes the chance to work as an understudy to the likes of Rob Gronkowski.

“They’re both great guys,” O’Shaughnessy said of Gronkowski and Kelce. “Both heck of tight ends. I can’t say enough about both of them helping me out through my early years in my career. I learned a lot from Travis, and I’m learning a lot from Gronk, so I’ve been very fortunate to have those two as my leaders early in my career.”

Belichick has frequently said that the Patriots put more responsibilities on the tight end than any other skill position. O’Shaughnessy, who called New England “an extremely tight-end friendly team,” is OK with that.

“As a tight end, you’re asked to do a lot of different things, whether it be in the passing game, blocking, special teams,” he said. “So my goal is just to keep improving in every facet. I like to think I can contribute in a variety of different ways, and it’s up to the coaches to choose how they want to do that.”

In addition to O’Shaugnessy’s unfortunate locker location, here are six other things worth noting when it comes to real estate inside the New England locker room.

— Dwayne Allen got Martellus Bennett’s old locker, a spot near one of the entrances. He’s flanked by James Develin and Julian Edelman. (Although he’s separated from Edelman by a divide where towels and other equipment are stacked.)
— Brandin Cooks is near the same entrance (to the weight room) in a spot that was held by Greg Scruggs last season. He’s in a row that includes Edelman and Matt Slater on one side and Brandon Bolden and James White on the other.
— Stephon Gilmore has Logan Ryan’s old locker, a spot at the end of a row in the middle of the room that’s right next to the trainers’ room.
— Young running back D.J. Foster is in the high-rent district. He is in a stretch of lockers that includes Tom Brady, Malcolm Mitchell, Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett and Danny Amendola. We’re not 100 percent certain, but it looks like the same spot that LeGarrette Blount had last season.
— Rob Ninkovich’s old locker next at the end of a row traditionally occupied by linebackers has been left vacant. The nameplate is gone, but it’s interesting that with rookies doubling up (per tradition), they haven’t stuck one of the new veterans in his place.
— Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee have been stuck alongside several of the running backs, a spot directly across from a handful of receivers. Dion Lewis is a neighbor on one side. The other side has a few other random players, including Lengel.

In advance of Friday’s game against the Lions, here’s a look at how much Brady has played in the third preseason contest over the last dozen years:

2016: 3-for-9 for 76 yards, one touchdown, one sack, 16 snaps vs. Panthers
2015: 7-for-13, 84 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, one sack, 27 snaps vs. Panthers
2014: 17-for-21, 204 yards, two touchdowns, 42 snaps vs. Panthers
2013: 16-for-24, 185 yards, one interception, two sacks, 46 snaps vs. Lions
2012: 13-for-20, 127 yards, one touchdown, one interception, two sacks, 45 snaps vs. Bucs
2011: 12-for-22, 145 yards, one touchdown, one interception, two sacks, 37 snaps vs. Lions
2010: 18-for-22, 273 yards, three touchdowns, 30 snaps vs. Rams
2009: 12-for-19 for 150 yards, two touchdowns, one sack, 29 snaps vs. Redskins
2008: DNP
2007: 17-for-22, 167 yards, two touchdowns, 47 snaps vs. Panthers
2006: 17-for-30, 231 yards, one touchdown, 49 snaps vs. Redskins
2005: 12-for-21, 127 yards, one touchdown, one sack, 40 snaps vs. Packers