FOXBOROUGH — Everybody got the necessary questions out of the way at Stefon Diggs’ introductory press conference on Friday at Gillette Stadium.
How was the newly-signed Patriots receiver’s surgically repaired knee? Had he spoken to Drake Maye? What does he think of Mike Vrabel? What are his impressions of Patriots fans?
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.
But other than his health, the real question, one that will define the success or failure of Diggs’ time in New England, was a little pricklier.
Over his career, the 31-year-old former All-Pro developed a reputation as a demand-the-ball diva. Is he still that guy? Can his desire to be personally great bring New England up with him or could a me-first attitude damage a team that’s still emerging?
Of course, those questions are never really going to be fully answered in a press conference, but Diggs made a good first impression.
Diggs was charming. He’s a smart guy with polish and confidence. Not the fake bravado that so many young receivers — including Patriots Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker — try to display when they arrive in the NFL. Actual confidence.
Diggs had swagger acquired from five 100 catch seasons, six straight 1,000-yard seasons, 70 career touchdowns and two All-Pro selections over 11 years. He’s been a stud, exactly the sort of talent the Patriots have been lacking.
Diggs said he wanted to be a leader, to help Maye thrive and show the younger receivers how to succeed as professionals.
“You can’t lead everyone the same. As fiery and as competitive as I am, the ones around you, some people are motivated different. Some people need positive reinforcement, as I call it, encouragement,” he said. “Quarterbacks, they need that positive reinforcement. Things aren’t always going to go right. Things are never going to be perfect. So, having somebody that always has your back whether it’s good or bad, is something you can appreciate, especially when it’s genuine.”
Diggs’ next point was important. Without getting into specifics of his past mistakes, he showed an awareness that he needed to handle things better.
“Even if things aren’t going right for me, you never know when something small could (help) somebody else that’s playing well or on the brink of making a play here or there,” he said. “My maturation process comes from more experience, both good and bad ... I’ve done a lot of inner work up to this point. I feel like I’m in a great space. And I’m trying to put that to use.”
If that truly is his baseline, it’s not a bad thing if Diggs doesn’t take losing well and demands more out of Maye, out of blockers, out of his fellow receivers. The standard has cratered in New England. The bar to be better than last year is much lower than the bar to be good. Diggs at least knows what being good looks like. He was on playoff teams in Minnesota and Buffalo, and a Houston squad who made the playoffs after he’d been injured.
“I’ve always been that way. Even when I was a little boy, I wanted to win at everything I did,” he said. “I’ll never lose that. But the older I get, the worse it gets. I really expect to win.”
Stefon Diggs likes being Stefon Diggs, a big-time receiver and football star. And if he’s lost a step or no longer physically capable to being elite, this could all blow up. That much is unavoidable. But if he is healthy — anywhere close to peak Diggs — this feels like a good fit. Not just in terms of skill, but personality and timing. Both the franchise and player are chasing redemption together.
"I definitely look forward to getting back on track," he said. “Young quarterback, a good team, a lot of pieces being added, everything trending in the right direction – something I wanted to be a part of. I feel like I can be helpful as far as the development with the receivers and everybody involved.”