Revis, Browner enjoying patriotism

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - It’s still early, but cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner are both enjoying their new starts with the New England Patriots.

“Last year it was a tough year when I played in Tampa Bay,” said Revis, who signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Patriots, with a $20 million team option for a second year. “It was tough, coming off the ACL and everything, so it was a long year, for me, personally just trying to recover.

“Now, I’m ready to go and I’m just trying to sit here and absorb everything in, just trying to enjoy my time and get ready for the season,” Revis added Friday, the third day of the Patriots’ organized team activities.

Browner didn’t have a long year in Seattle - not in terms of games played, anyway. He was suspended indefinitely by the NFL in December for what was termed multiple violations of the league’s drug policy. That caused him to miss the Seahawks’ late regular season and playoff games and their run to winning the Super Bowl.

He gets a ring and even visited the White House with the team. Now, he’ll sit out the first four games under the remaining suspension as he starts a three-year, $12.35 million contract with his new team.

“It’s fun to be back out here,” Browner said. “My situation last year was unfortunate. I’m happy to be out here.”

Revis is in New England to anchor what previously had been a maligned defensive backfield. The secondary was clearly better last year when Aqib Talib was on the field. Now, Talib is in Denver, and Revis is the top guy on his third team in three years; he also was with the Jets before being traded to Tampa Bay.

Quarterback Tom Brady has said he’s already tired of throwing the ball in Revis’ direction.

“It’s always a defensive and offensive competition going and I think both sides, what we’re really trying to do is just get better at the end of the day,” Revis said. “It’s good to have the same jersey on as Tom and everybody else on this team.

“For offense and defense, it’s competition, but at the same time we’re all just trying to get better.”

And so far, both players like what they see from their new surroundings.

“It’s totally different,” Revis said. “There’s things that you didn’t expect how this organization is run from top to bottom. You’ve got to take your hat off to Mr. (Robert) Kraft for how this organization operates. They’re a winning organization and I’m happy those guys gave me an opportunity to come in here and be a part of it.”

Browner agreed, saying his new situation is “very exciting. I’m on a great team. I’m fortunate to be here with these guys. I look forward to playing.”

Asked repeatedly about his suspension, Browner said, “That’s in the past, man. I don’t care what nobody thinks. That’s in the past; I’m looking forward to playing for the Patriots.”

But he did get to go to Washington with the rest of the champion Seahawks.

“It was a good experience, a great experience,” he said, “to go meet the president, look around the White House a little bit.”

NOTES: Quarterback Johnny Garoppolo and tight end Asa Watson, both recently drafted by the Patriots, were among the missing at the OTAs. Both were attending the NFLPA’s Rookie Premiere symposium. . First-round draft pick Dominique Easley, recovering from knee surgery, also was among the missing. . Kraft was on hand for some of Friday’s workout. . Tight end Rob Gronkowski, also recovering from knee surgery, was among those limited in the workout.