When it comes to the combine, Patriots prefer to operate out of the spotlight

There are a ton of examples as to how the Patriots operate differently from the 31 other teams, but this week, that’ll really be underscored when it comes to the medical testing at the combine.

T.J. Moe got a chance to experience that firsthand. He went into the 2013 combine looking to crush it, and the Mizzou product made his mark on the field, posting the best totals of any wide receiver in the bench press, 3-cone, and two different shuttles. He drew the attention of the Patriots, but he didn’t really know how much New England was interested until the medical testing portion of the proceedings. He found out that teams poke and prod at prospects, but New England goes about things differently.

“When it comes to the medicals, there are multiple rooms for teams set up, and a lot of the teams that share the same philosophy will huddle up, and they’ll share information,” explained Moe. “One doctor will come up and check out your shoulder, and in most cases, each team in that group would take their word for it. ‘Shoulder feels a little loose.’

“Not the Patriots.


“Their doctor put their hands on every single player they were interested in. They didn’t take anyone’s word for it. One doctor would come in and check your knee, and he’d saying something like, ‘That knee feels stable’ and a lot of other teams would nod. Then, the Patriots doctor would come up and feel for himself and would take their own notes.”

All 32 teams will be in Indianapolis this week for the combine, but Moe’s entire experience that year involving the Patriots points to an organization that does things a little differently when it comes to the combine. He had already had a secretive meeting with then-receivers coach Chad O’Shea that included O’Shea bombarding with questions and running through plays on a whiteboard before dismissing Moe with a quick: “All right, buddy. You’re smart enough to play for us. Don’t tell anyone we talked to you.” So he wasn't completely surprised when it came to the medicals.

“I think the combine is too public an event for them when it comes to looking at players. Too many people, too many prying eyes,” Moe said.

Bottom line? They keep everybody guessing. Even many of the prospects.

“Other teams, in the days between the combine and the draft, if they have interest in you, they put you on a call list and get all your information in case they have to reach out,” he added. “The Patriots have all your information. You don’t hear from them. Their thought process? 'If we can’t get a hold of you on draft day, we probably don’t want you.'”

Moe — who signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent for $30,000 in guaranteed money, a colossal amount for a player who wasn't selected -- now hosts a radio show in Missouri. He said his experience with the Patriots added to the surreal nature of the week, which can be discomforting if you go in unprepared. Basically, while players get support at the combine, the week in Indy is their first real chance to make it on their own, especially when it comes to dealing with the sleep deprivation that accompanies the early-morning drug tests.

“The whole week is interesting,” Moe said. “But a lot of it, if you’re smart, you can find a way around the sleep deprivation. You have to figure it out. If you have to get more sleep, if you have to get yourself on a diet where you’re eating at the right time, figure it out. This is your job now. We will do what we can to help, but these are sub-optimal conditions, and you have to start to figure it out.”

Moe also added the mental challenges of the week help provide a window into the character of a potential Patriots’ prospect.

“A lot of it, the players are on machine mode for the week,” he said, “which is sort of ironic because the Patriots want you in machine mode a lot of the time as a player … until they don’t. You’re sort of asked to be robotic. That’s not to say you can’t offer an idea — I remember coaches telling me Randy Moss came up with some of the verbiage for their offense they still use. But if you try and go rogue and it doesn’t work, then they’re pissed.”