Feature article on Jake Ingram

P = Patriots.com

P Note: "He surfs. Jet-skis. Spear fishes. Enjoys the outdoors and the company of others, who seem uncontrollably drawn to his fun-loving personality. Those who know him best say he is blessed with what Hawaiians call the “Aloha spirit.” When it is time to work, however, few are as serious-minded as Ingram. If the Patriots wanted a carbon-copy replacement for long snapper Lonie Paxton, they may have found one. The popular Paxton beat out a competitor to make the Patriots roster as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2000 (Bill Belichick’s first season as head coach in New England). His snow angels in the playoffs and Super Bowl ingratiated him to Patriots fans the following year; his gregarious persona had a similar effect on both teammates and the media. But it was his machine-like consistency on the football field that won over his coaches."

About how he was surprised that the Patriots drafted him after signing Arizona's free-agent long snapper Nathan Hodel, Ingram said:
"Yeah, I was a little surprised. I talked to [Patriots special teams coach Scott] O’Brien weeks earlier, but I didn’t expect to get drafted. I knew it was a possibility, but when he called me and told me they were going to take me, I was surprised. But it’s a huge honor. I’m excited for it." (P)

About drafting Ingram to compete with Hodel, Bill Belichick said:
"We thought that Ingram would be in competition for the position with Nathan. He’s an athletic guy, a little bit smaller than some of the snappers in the league, but a little bit more athletic than most of the snappers in the league. I think his athleticism versus his size is kind of the comparison or where the competition will be. He’s an experienced guy. He’s done that. He can block. He can cover pretty well. His snaps are accurate, they had good velocity. So, I think that he will be competitive for that position. I felt like he was a top player for his position in the draft." (P)

About how JJ had to convince him to be a long snapper, Ingram said:
"Coach Jones told me from the start, but I was young and thought, ‘ Nah, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.’ But I started looking at other long snappers in college, and it hit me that maybe I could do this, maybe I did have a shot [at the NFL]. That’s when I put my head down and went full-bore with it. Learned as much as I could. I’m thankful to Coach Jones." (P)

Praising Jake's work ethic, Rich Miano said:
"I tell people that the two hardest working guys in this program during my time here were Davone Bess [now a receiver for the Dolphins] and Jake Ingram. Jake’s the first one at practice, and the last to leave. He gets really upset when he makes a mistake. He’s not a specialist, he’s a football player and a true good guy. He loves the Hawaiian culture, and the people love him here. He gets along with everybody and lives life to the fullest." (P)

P Note: "Ingram, who has worked in construction, says his perfectionist attitude on the field is a product of his parents’ hard-working influence. Miano believes Ingram could add a little bulk to help boost his NFL credentials, but Ingram is clearly his own harshest critic."

About how he expects every snap of his to be perfect, Ingram said:
"I feel like, when something goes wrong with a snap, I’m letting my whole team down. So, that’s why I get down on myself." (P)

About trying to win the long snapper job with the Patriots, Ingram said:
"I’m just here doing my thing. I just want to take my place and show them that it was a good choice to take me in the draft." (P)

http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=37307&pcid=41