New England Patriots safety James Ihedigbo honored to be in Super Bowl
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FOXBOROUGH - For James Ihedigbo, it's always been about just getting an opportunity.
Give him an opportunity to walk on and the Amherst Regional standout not only earned a scholarship at the University of Massachusetts, but All-American honors too.
Give him an opportunity to participate in training camp and the UMass alum not only made the squad, but first became a special teams standout for the New York Jets and then a starter for the New England Patriots.
He'll have another opportunity on Feb. 5 when the Patriots play the New York Giants in Super Bowl 46. He's hoping to add it to the list of opportunities he's capitalized on.
"It's exciting. It's a once-in-a-life time opportunity. To be to this point is definitely rewarding as a team to know that all the hard work we put in since August, we can get to this point. We all understand there's more work to be done to be successful next week," he said. "I'm just honored to be in this position. Guys go their whole career and don't get to this point. You don't take it for granted, not for one second. You work that hard so you can enjoy the final outcome of being a Super Bowl champion."
Shortly after the NFL lockout ended, it looked like Ihedigbo's football opportunities might be behind him. The Jets elected not to resign him and when training camps started he wasn't on a roster. But when the Patriots offered a contract he returned to his home state.
"Bill told me when I came here 'We'll give you opportunities. What you do with the opportunities will determine what more opportunities you'll get,'" Ihedigbo said. "I've always tried to excel and try to do whatever I can. ... When you seize that opportunity and do the best you can with it, people take notice."
Belichick has taken notice. Ihedigo's role expanded from special teams to a starter at safety.
"He's had a solid year for us. He came in primarily with a lot of experience in the kicking game, which of course we had seen from when he was with the Jets and how well and how hard he played against us there," Belichick said Tuesday. "He's a tough guy that's smart. He has a very good understanding of defensive concepts and communication. He's a good leader and recognizes things quickly in the secondary, which is important for the safety position to communicate that in the secondary and also to the outside linebackers, run force and coverage adjustments, things like that. He's a hard worker, he's a really diligent guy, he knows the game plan, he studies the opponents well. ... He has a lot of value in a number of different areas for us."
Fellow defensive back Devin McCourty said Ihedigbo has become one of the more respected players in the locker room.
"Diggs is always worrying about every player in here," the second-year cornerback from Rutgers said Thursday. "He's making sure everyone on the field is right and off the field he's coordinating things to keep us together. He got here late in training camp, but as soon as he got there he was trying to get everyone better. That extends on and off the field."
As a Patriot, Ihedigbo has shelved the outspoken style that defined both him and the New York Jets franchise when he was there. Still, his attitude and intelligence has made him a popular interview with New England media. At the team's first practice since winning the AFC championship Sunday, Ihedigbo's locker was surrounded by about 20 television cameras and print reporters.
Coming out of UMass, Ihedigbo was hurt that the Patriots hadn't been among the teams offering him a training camp invitation. But he's put that behind him.
"Everything comes full circle. Things always turn out for the best," he said. "It didn't happen the way I wanted it to, but it's turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It's worked out the right way."
After two losses in the conference championship as a Jet, the move north has earned him a trip to the Super Bowl.
"You have to enjoy the overall experience but you have to stay focused on the job at hand," he said. "The only thing that matters is the overall outcome. Going out and winning a football game. There's no point in going down there and just for the experience. You want to enjoy it, but the job at hand is being a Super Bowl champ."
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Follow UMass coverage on Twitter at twitter.com/GazetteUMass. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at http://www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage.
