Smith still finding footing with Pats with former team next

— Patriots tight end Jonnu Smith wasn’t disgruntled when he left Tennessee in free agency after four years last offseason. He was simply looking for a place to in his words, “start a new chapter” and make “a fresh start on the journey.” “It was some of the greatest four years I’ve ever had, I learned a lot,” Smith said of his time with the Titans. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said this week that Smith may simply still be adjusting in what he called a “foundational year” he often sees for players new to the Patriots’ system and playing under coach Bill Belichick. But sitting in Bill’s squad meetings, listening to what we do and what we try to do on a weekly week basis, fitting in to how we change the offense from one week to the next to try to attack the defense’s weaknesses or protect our weaknesses.” As a result, Smith has primarily been used as a blocker in recent weeks, though he said he doesn’t think his learning curve or a recent shoulder issue that kept him sidelined in Week 10 against Cleveland, has held him back. So that’s all I can worry about.. We’re gonna keep playing good football, keep progressing and keep improving.” As for Sunday’s matchup with the Titans, Smith said he’s looking forward to trying knock his former team off their current perch atop the AFC.