Addition of RB Ezekiel Elliott already looks like a solid move for Patriots

Recently signed Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott is making a solid first impression in New England.
 
"He definitely looked good," longtime Patriots reporter Tom E. Curran said Thursday on NBC Sports Boston's "Arabella Early Edition." "He was smooth coming out of the backfield catching a few passes with the 1s (starters) and turning it upfield in full-contact periods, which is a surprise to me that he assimilated that quickly and was put out there that quickly with the 1s."
 
New England letting Elliott—who signed a one-year, $6M deal on Monday—work with the starters immediately shows he understands the offense and is ready to accept a significant role.
 
"One thing you see right away is he's smart," Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien said in a Friday news conference. "He's been in different systems, and he understands football. Maybe they called it apples, and we call it oranges, but it's still football. He gets it; he picks up on it real quick."