New England Patriots linebacker Jabaal Sheard is relishing the challenge of adapting to life with the Super Bowl champions.
The 25-year-old spent the first four seasons of his career in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, which included playing under three head coaches in his last three years at the club.
Sheard penned a two-year deal with Patriots in the first week of free agency, and is now looking forward to contributing to one of the most stable franchises in the league under head coach Bill Belichick.
"I envision that they have some great plans for me," Sheard told reporters. "Just knowing the system they run, I've been around three different systems in my last three years.
"I'm ready for whatever. I'm always ready to embrace something new and something different. I'm up for the challenge, whatever it is.
"I think I can play anywhere up front. My main strength is knocking guys back and creating penetration at the line of scrimmage, ultimately stopping the run and being a big factor there. Getting after the quarterback or dropping, whatever else might come with it."
Sheard recorded 190 tackles and 23 sacks in his four seasons with the Browns.