Defensive lineman Danny Shelton didn’t need much time to toe the New England Patriots’ company line.

Less than a week after New England acquired him in a trade with the Cleveland Browns, Shelton begane singing Coach Bill Belichick’s praises and pointing to the team’s culture of success.

“Part of the formula to winning is doing your job, and I see that everywhere at the facility with everyone just staying focused and having that same goal leading toward success, and that’s what I want to be a part of,” Shelton said Monday.

After spending his first three NFL seasons with a Browns team that won only four games total and went 0-16 last season, Shelton, 24, is willing to adapt to whatever role Belichick sees for him.

“Honestly, I’m just going to go with whatever Coach wants me to do,” Shelton said. “My best (skill) is stopping the run, so if he wants me to play a defensive position I’ll do it and I’ll make sure I do my job to achieve success.”

Shelton had 128 tackles and 11/2 sacks over 46 games with Cleveland after being drafted by the Browns with the No. 12 overall pick out of Washington in 2015.

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In 2016, Shelton started all 16 games and had a career-high 59 tackles.

Shelton hopes to wear No. 55 with the Patriots after doing so with the Browns and in college in honor of the late Junior Seau, who wore the number throughout his career, including his last four seasons in New England.

“Any opportunity I get to wear the number I would take in a heartbeat,” Shelton said. “It’s just amazing to have this opportunity to play for a great organization and knowing that one of my role models, one of the guys that I looked up to played here.”

Shelton said he’s also fond of former Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, whom he drew comparisons to before being drafted.

“Just knowing that I’ll be able to play for a team that’s had such great talent here, I just want to add to the team success,” Shelton said.

CHARGERS: Veteran center Mike Pouncey agreed to a two-year contract.

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Pouncey was released by Miami last week after refusing a pay cut. He started all 16 games for the Dolphins last season, his seventh in the NFL.

JAGUARS: Jacksonville is bringing back veteran linebacker Lerentee McCray.

McCray had been an unrestricted free agent after signing a one-year deal with Jacksonville in 2017.

TEXANS: Houston signed unrestricted free-agent safety Tyrann Mathieu and claimed wide receiver Sammie Coates off waivers from Cleveland.

Mathieu, 25, was released last week by Arizona after five seasons when the sides couldn’t rework his contract. He was due for $18.75 million of his contract to be guaranteed when the league year officially began and Arizona saved nearly $5 million in cap space by cutting him.

WASHINGTON: The team signed cornerback Orlando Scandrick to a two-year deal worth up to $10 million.

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The Cowboys released Scandrick over the weekend after he made 38 tackles in 11 starts last season. Scandrick had started 69 games and appeared in 125 with Dallas since being taken in the fifth round of the 2008 draft.

BUCCANEERS: Tampa Bay moved to bolster the NFL’s least productive pass rush, signing former Philadelphia defensive end Vinny Curry in free agency.

The Bucs also announced the signing of free-agent center Ryan Jensen, who spent the first five years of his pro career with Baltimore.

LIONS: Detroit re-signed defensive tackle Christian Ringo, addressing a need by adding depth on the defensive line. Ringo has five career tackles and has forced one fumble.

RAIDERS: Oakland signed free-agent quarterback Josh Johnson to compete for the backup position.

RAMS: Los Angeles re-signed defensive end Dominique Easley after an injury kept him out last season.

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VIKINGS: Minnesota finalized its trade with Denver for quarterback Trevor Siemian to be the backup to free agent Kirk Cousins.

PANTHERS: A person familiar with the situation said that Carolina and unrestricted free-agent slot wide receiver Jarius Wright agreed on a three-year deal.

BILLS: Buffalo began restocking its offensive line in free agency by reaching agreements with center Russell Bodine and tackle Marshall Newhouse.

GIANTS: New York re-signed defensive end Kerry Wynn and added three other free agents – receiver Cody Latimer, defensive end Josh Mauro and cornerback B.W. Webb.


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