FOXBOROUGH – Meeting with the media for the first time since signing as a free agent, Garrett Bradbury was all smiles on Thursday afternoon.

The former Minnesota Viking touched on a lot of different topics for about 10 minutes, ranging from replacing David Andrews, a unique connection with Drake Maye and what it’s been like working with new offensive line coach (and former BC assistant) Doug Marrone.

Arguably the biggest storyline of the season (and seemingly the last like five seasons) is the state of the offensive line. After some disastrous displays the last few years, Marrone is tasked with tuning things around and protecting the new face of the franchise.

Pats fans should feel confident in Marrone’s abilities, not just because of his experience, but because of the way he’s handling early offseason meetings, something that Bradbury says he loves

“Doug’s great,” he said. “Actually, my O-line coach in college – who’s with the Falcons now – Doug actually coached him when he was in New Orleans. That’s about the only connection I have with him. I know he’s been in this league for a long time. I love former players as coaches. So, he played in this league for a while, he’s coached in this league forever. So…from my perspective they have a different understanding. The coach speak, they can sometimes be like, ‘listen, I know I’m telling you to do this, but you gotta get it done this way, this way or this way.’ He’s another guy where it’s a new system for him and he spent the last couple months learning it.

“He’s had a million systems. So, he can kind of understand how he wants to install it to us. He likes interactive meetings, which I love. There’s quizzes thrown out. There’s ‘hey, what do you got on this? What do you got on this?’ And, we have two assistants in the O-line room. That’s new to me, which is awesome because you’ve got three guys that will know the system like the back of their hands. If I have questions, anything I need to know, bounce ideas off them.”

As for replacing David Andrews, Bradbury knows there are big shoes to fill on and off the field. He was also asked about Logan Mankins and if he was familiar with his game after Mankins was named a finalist for this year’s Patriots Hall of Fame vote Thursday morning. Bradbury hadn’t watched Mankins’ tape, but knew the name and touched on the O-line legacy that the team has had throughout the years with one of his former college teammates included.

“I’ve heard nothing but good things from guys that have played with him, guys that know him. I have a lot of respect for him,” Bradbury said of Andrews. “He played a long time in this league at the same place in the same city. I’ve heard the stuff he’s done outside in the community. I think his play speaks for itself when you’re ‘the guy’ at one position in a city for 10 years. You tip your cap to him. I look forward to maybe getting to know him or introduce myself to him, but I have nothing but good things to say and respect for a guy like that.

“I haven’t seen a ton of (Mankins’) film, but I know the player, I know the name. There’s been some awesome linemen here. Joe Thuney comes to mind. I played with him at NC State. My first two years I transitioned positions…we were roommates when we traveled. I can’t think of a better teammate, player, so I need to hit him up and pick his brain on this city and this town.”

Bradbury and Maye did have a little bit of  unique connection already even before signing to New England. Now, it sounds like it’s already blossoming into a bromance.

“I love Drake so far,” he added. “Kind of a weird family connection…my brother-in-law is a baseball player, played with (Maye’s) brother Cole at Florida and they’re best friends. So, when I was going through the free agency process, they were all like “New England, New England, New England.’ So, I got to know him a little bit, played some competitive ping pong with him. There will be some battles in the future.

“He likes to golf, so we’ll probably get on the golf course during OTA’s.”

That QB-center relationship (hopefully) for years to come and Bradbury’s ability to work in a Josh McDaniels offense will be imperative if the Pats are going to compete once again. So far, it feels like Bradbury is another adult in the room fully capable of helping turn things around.