The Boston Globe had an entire article on depearted Eagles wide receiver Greg Lewis. Lewis answered questions about leaving the Eagles, playing with Terrell Owens and the anticipation of playing with Tom Brady.
Here's much of the article.
Did you have any inclination that this trade was going to happen? Did you think you were going to be sent out of Philadelphia or did this catch you off guard?
Lewis: It really didn’t catch me off guard. You could see the writing on the wall with the guys they had there in Philadelphia. My role had diminished. That was something that could happen and it did.
What is your reaction?
Lewis: My reaction is excited to be up here in New England and get an opportunity to be with a great organization, that Mr. Kraft has built, get out here, try to fit in as best I can and do what I’m capable of doing.
I’ve read that your scouting report is a precise route runner with good hands. Do you think that is accurate and how do you think that will fit in New England’s offense?
Lewis: Well, it seems like the offense is based on being where you are supposed to be and be there on time. And when you’re there Tom [Brady] does a great job of getting the ball to you and make plays after that. I think it will fit in well here. I am just looking forward to the opportunity of getting on the field with these guys here, learning the offense and using my skills to best help this organization.
What was your relationship like with Terrell Owens when he played with you in Philadelphia, of course he’s in this division now?
Lewis: He was cool with me. We were both receivers and both in the same meeting rooms together. Usually, you have a rapport with the guys you spend the most time with. I talked to all the receivers we had in Philadelphia until this day. I am cool with him and I believe he’s cool with me.
What roles have you filled out on special teams and how do you think you will fit in here?
Lewis: I fit in here with whatever they ask me to do. I am willing and ready to compete for an opportunity to play on special teams. I’ve been the gunner on the punt coverage teams. I’ve been the guy that’s defended the gunner. I’ve been on the kickoff team as a safety and as a guy running down there to try to get involved. I’ve been on the punt return team as a returner – that didn’t work well. But, I’ve also been on punt return team as a blocker, trying to block kicks. I’m capable of doing any and everything they ask me to do. I am just looking forward to the opportunity to be a part of it.
You said you could see the writing on the wall with the way things were unfolding in Philadelphia. What exactly happened?
Lewis: They had DeSean Jackson who came in and had an outstanding year as a rookie. He was going to get an opportunity to play. They had Kevin Curtis who came back from an injury after six games and he was doing well. Jason Avant was pretty much the third receiver out there and he was doing a great job. Hank Baskett was also involved in that group too, so those were the four guys. Then, me and Reggie Brown didn’t know where we fit in so to speak. We had roles that we could do but we weren’t obligated or asked to fill them out in certain situations. One game I was down, one game he was down and you could see that they were going in a different direction. I have no ill feelings towards anything that took place in Philadelphia. I moved on, they moved on and I got a fresh start here.
You have a good background playing against the Patriots. You had your first touchdown and your first 100-yard gain. Is it funny that now you are playing for them? Do you think that had anything to do with Coach Belichick wanting to acquire you?
Lewis: Honestly, anytime I get an opportunity to play I try to do my best. When I did get an opportunity against the Patriots I played pretty well, but I don’t think that had anything to do with him trying to trade for me. I think he liked what he saw on tape and he liked what he saw when we played against him. Obviously, he got me up here and I’m excited for the opportunity. I’m looking forward to proving why he brought me up here.
What are your recollections of Super Bowl XXXIX?
Lewis: They’re all there. We were on the losing end of it. It was a great experience, being only in my second year in the league. Being in the Super Bowl itself was exciting. The main goal once you get to the Super Bowl was to win it and we didn’t win it. I did some good things and I did some bad things, but that’s all in the past for me now. I’m looking forward to moving forward with this organization and trying to get things started here for myself and my team.
Have you had a chance to talk to Tom Brady and what are your impressions of him?
Lewis: I met Tom today at a workout and in the locker room. He came up to me and welcomed me to the team. He seemed like a great guy. I’ve seen him on film do great things. I am just looking forward to [getting to work].
You said that you saw Tom Brady in the locker room. Do you feel that he looked like a guy that was going to be able to start the regular season?
Lewis: Well, I didn’t graduate with a Ph.D., or an M.D., or any of those doctor’s terms so I can’t describe what he looks like or what he is. I know that when I get out there — whatever he asks me to do — I’m going to be ready to do it and I’m going to try to do it to the best of my abilities and do what I can.
