Three takeaways from the Monday afternoon conference call with Danny Shelton

Danny Shelton spoke with the New England area media for the first time Monday on a conference call with reporters. He touched on a handful of things, but here are the three biggest takeaways: his appreciation for ex-Patriots Vince Wilfork and Junior Seau, his weight, and his dogs.

1. He’s a big fan of a couple of ex-Patriots.

Shelton mentioned that he was a big fan of Seau and Wilfork, and the chance to continue to wear the No. 55 in New England would mean a lot to him.


“I think it would be awesome. Any opportunity I get to wear the number. I would take in a heartbeat,” he said of the No. 55, which Eric Lee had last year. “It’s just amazing to have this opportunity to play for a great organization and knowing that one of my role models, one of the guys I looked up to, played here. Actually, a couple of guys – Vince Wilfork, as well – just knowing that I’ll be able to play for a team that’s had such great talents here. I just want to add to the team’s success and to be a part of the team.”

As for Wilfork, Shelton said he’s reached out to him, and the two have spoken in the past.

“Obviously, Vince Wilfork is one of the greatest (defensive) tackles. For me, he’s someone that I still (looked) up to even when he was with the Texans,” Shelton said. “I got the opportunity to reach out to him and kind of pick his brain and just learn a couple of tips from him. He’s been really responsive. He’s been a guy that has been really helpful this offseason, and I’m looking forward to reaching out more and learning some more from him.

“He had me reach out to him this offseason, not knowing that I was going to be traded,” Shelton added of his connection to Wilfork. “Now that I’m a New England Patriot, it just seems even more welcoming to learn from one of the greatest New England Patriots.”

2. He says he’s “handling” his weight.

In the past, Shelton has been open about his struggles with weight, and has acknowledged it has led to some struggles on the field. He’s listed at 335 pounds, and he told me Monday afternoon that it doesn’t seem to be an issue.

“I think right now I’ve been handling my weight pretty well,” he said. “This past season, I think I managed it really well. Going into this offseason I’m better suited for what’s to come now. Talking with the coaching staff and Coach Moses (Cabrera) with weight training and Ted (Harper) with nutrition, we’re going to build the best plan for me going into the next couple of months of the offseason and we’ll be ready for this season.”

3. His dogs are really important to him.

He has four dogs — Moni, Juicy, Mojo and Juju. They’re emotional support animals.

“For me, it’s just that warm feeling I get coming home and seeing their smiling faces,” he said of his connection to his dogs. “Whenever I’m in a vulnerable position or I’m feeling stressed out – Moni especially – she’s the one that will come over and she’ll notice it and she’ll cuddle up or she’ll do something funny to get me distracted. It’s just crazy how they know me so well, and they also know my wife, as well. They help my wife out, as well.”

He’s always had a bond with his animals.

“Following my brother’s passing in 2011, my family received a Rottweiler puppy from a family friend,” he explained. “I was in college at the time, but I would make it back home and I’d see their relationship with the dog and I’d see how it would kind of bring them back to the old ways – having fun, laughing. Just bringing it back to the good times that I remembered and being away from them at college.

“It was tough at the time. I also wanted that connection. I wanted that relationship. I wanted to fill that gap that felt empty from my brother passing. I think that overall, really, pushed me towards making that decision and getting Moni, my first dog. Also, my girlfriend at the time – my wife now – but my girlfriend at the time, we both thought it would be a great opportunity for us to dive into a relationship with the new puppy and kind of mature together and just add more responsibility. One dog turned into two dogs, and then two dogs turned into three and now four. We’re planning on staying at four.”