FOXBORO -- If Jabaal Sheard is hoping to carve a role in the Patriots defense as an end-of-the-line player, there was a pretty good reminder of what it will take to be successful at that spot lingering on the Patriots sidelines during Wednesday night's practice. And he knew it.
On the night of Willie McGinest's induction to the Patriots Hall of Fame, it was only fitting that one of McGinest's biggest fans attracted a large crowd of reporters.
"That's amazing," Sheard said of McGinest's induction. "A guy that played multiple positions, a legend just to have him around and see his face. That's a guy that I watch film on still to this day. How you he used rush, how he attack, and how he was relentless. It's amazing to be out here with him."
Sheard had not yet spoken to McGinest by the time media members gathered around him, but he was clearly very happy for the former outside linebacker/defensive end. Sheard said that since he began playing on the edge, he has watched McGinest film.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick said earlier this week that he might be inclined to show current players some tape of McGinest's better moments. But in Sheard's case, odds are that he's already seen them all.
"Watching a great, man, is something you always want to do, just looking back and seeing how they used to rush," Sheard said. "The game doesn't change. Guys set, pass-rush. That relentless effort is what got [McGinest] there, I think.
"That heart he had, man, that dog. He would just get after the quarterback, he would get after the run. He was just . . . he was so into the team, whatever they asked him to do, he was going to do it."
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Sheard has had a strong camp to this point, but it's unclear how exactly he'll fit in the Patriots defense since he'll be a part of a group of edge defenders that will include established veterans like Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich.
Based on his admiration of McGinest's team-first mentality, it sounds as though Sheard will be right at home regardless of his role.