jimster Posted June 11, 2004 Share Posted June 11, 2004 Dillon Happy to Be on Winning Team Jun 11, 4:33 PM (ET) Email this Story By JIMMY GOLEN FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) - Corey Dillon came to the New England Patriots to be surrounded by the trappings of success. When his teammates collect their Super Bowl rings, though, he won't be there. He wants to earn an invitation first. "Why would I go?" he said Friday. "That's something for them." Maybe next year Dillon will be able to claim a ring of his own, but for now he's doing what he can to earn one. The first step was to come to the defending Super Bowl champions in a trade he helped force by making himself unwelcome with his old team. The Cincinnati Bengals traded Dillon - on Patriots Day - to New England for a second-round pick. He was able to convince the Patriots' brass that he wasn't a malcontent. He was just unhappy playing for a team that hadn't made the playoffs or even posted a winning record since 1990, despite adding the record-breaking running back in 1997. "Seven years of not winning is a long time," Dillon said at minicamp this week. "(The Patriots) got to know me. They figured out that I'm legit and a good guy. ... I just wanted to be part of an organization that thrives on winning, and winning is everything. And I'm here, and I'm in a good situation and I like it." Dillon couldn't have picked a better place to land. The Patriots have won two of the last three NFL titles, and they've done it with a team-first attitude that players credit for the success. "I can see why they won two Super Bowls," he said. "I'm talking about, from top to bottom, people care about you and they want you to succeed." Two-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady said the players know their teammates are doing their jobs, playing hurt and not complaining about it, and that makes everyone work harder. "That's why I'm excited to be here," Brady said. "Hopefully, that's why he's excited, too." Defensive back Jeff Burris also came to New England from Cincinnati, signing with the Patriots as a free agent a day after they traded Dillon. Burris spent just two years with Cincinnati and didn't direct the same venom at his former team. But he, too, could sense a different attitude. "Cincy's headed in that same direction," Burris said. "But it's a different life to come here. In this league, everyone has talented players. What makes a difference is how you look at things - the drive, the hunger to be better, to be the best you can be and to be a great team." Burris also played for Indianapolis and was originally drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first season after their four consecutive Super Bowl appearances. Unlike Dillon, who never made the playoffs, Burris has gone to the postseason four times. But he's never been to the Super Bowl. Seeing his new teammates walking around with their rings, which will be handed out in a party at owner Bob Kraft's house Sunday, will be a reminder of "something to work for," Burris said. "That's a motivator. It's something that's eluded me." Wide receiver Troy Brown, who has been with New England long enough to remember when it was a losing organization, said it is the duty of the 2003 Patriots to instill a winning attitude in the newcomers. "Attitude is passed on from player to player," he said. "We've got a lot of guys here that have won championships. You can pass that on to the other guys. I'm a firm believer in that." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ntotoro Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 Maybe there's an omen here. Takeo Spikes got what he wanted, too, and the Bengals wound up with a better record than the Bills. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chomerics Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 Eh, I live in Boston and I'm a huge Pats fan. I was just as curious as the next person when they signed him. All indications coming out of training camp right now say that he's legit, and if he plays like he's capible of playing, it brings a devestating running attack to an already powerful passing offense. The question remains weather he can keep his head on straight for the entire season. I didn't like the fact that he quit on Lewis last year, espically once they started winning. It goes against his saying he wanted to play for a winner. For right now I'm giving him the benifit of the doubt, and I'm waiting for the season. If he DOES pan out, look out because the Pats could have three SB rings in 4 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streater101 Posted June 13, 2004 Share Posted June 13, 2004 He was already on a winning team. After suffering thru years and years of mediocirty. Why pick this year to bail? (yes, I know the Bengals were .500 and that technically means they're not a winning team) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnacpa Posted June 13, 2004 Share Posted June 13, 2004 For the same reasons that I understood Takeo Spikes, I understand Dillon. I thought he wasn't fair enough to Coach Lewis and he could have been more open minded, but the Bengals organization as a whole had beaten out his spirit over the past number of years. Everytime he had a contract, they tried to play low ball with him, even when he was their only offensive weapon. It was unfortunate that he was already bitter when Marvin Lewis came in. But the fresh start should be good to him. His problems have usually been much more vocal during the offseason, but last year they happened during the season and that hurt him. I think he is a smart enough player to know that he doesn't have too many years left and that he may not get many more chances to prove himself if things don't work out in NE, so I think he will stay focused and make the most out of the situation. NE will be scary this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Master Jay Posted June 13, 2004 Share Posted June 13, 2004 He will make the Pats better but it's hard to repeat in the NFL. The last favorite to win was Denver the Pats will get their heads knock off this year just like they did the year before last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BionicPatriot Posted June 13, 2004 Share Posted June 13, 2004 Patriot fan here...Thanks for the love guys...I really do think Dillon will make us crazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chomerics Posted June 13, 2004 Share Posted June 13, 2004 Originally posted by BionicPatriot Patriot fan here...Thanks for the love guys...I really do think Dillon will make us crazy. BionicPat, you from KFFL? Patsfan71 here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted June 13, 2004 Share Posted June 13, 2004 Actually I'm hoping the Redsox curse extends to the pats this year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XNOUGHT Posted June 13, 2004 Share Posted June 13, 2004 XNOUGHT from KFFL checks in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TC4 Posted June 13, 2004 Share Posted June 13, 2004 Originally posted by NavyDave Actually I'm hoping the Redsox curse extends to the pats this year Yeah, it would be funny as hell for Corey Dillon if the Patriots fell flat on their faces and went like 8-8 or 7-9 while the Bengals went like 12-4 or 13-3 and to the Super Bowl Althought the Patriots MUST beat the Colts the 1st game on September 9th Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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