Joshua – not Josh – Uche was all smiles when he spoke with the media inside Gillette Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

As the Pats continue their offseason program, a couple players will be speaking to the media two days a week. Today was Uche’s turn and he touched on his name change, why he ultimately chose to re-sign and how important Christian Barmore’s new deal is for the defense both on and off the field…

On the name change

“How ya’ll doin? My name is Joshua Uche. Pleasure to meet you guys…it’s the name my father gave me, a name I’m very proud of. Just trying to make my dad proud…my father Emanuel Uche, originally from Nigeria, immigrated here on his own, went to school at Southern University. He studied architectural design and engineering. Went back to Nigeria and got his mother and sister and brought them over to America, went back and brought my mother over from Nigeria. (He) works out of Miami, Florida, has done a lot of big projects down there. Just one of the biggest disciplinarians other than Bill Belichick at that time in my life and he’s the reason I’m standing here today.”

On why he came back to New England

“There were some options on the table (in free agency), but in my heart I felt I was destined to be a Patriot. Despite what was offered, I just felt like this was my calling, to be a Patriot. I felt like it’s what I was destined to do and it’s what I want to be, man. I don’t want to be anywhere else. So, you gotta do what you gotta do and follow your heart…(the decision making process) was interesting. I had a lot of people calling me crazy, you know? A lot of people focusing on the financial parts of the decision. But, I feel like the team that gave me an opportunity, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. I can’t envision myself playing for another team. However that shakes out, I just know at the end of the day, the ball is in my court and this is the dream that I want to fulfill, to be a Patriot.”

On the importance of keeping Christian Barmore around

“Ah, Barmore. You know, a locker room guy. Everybody loves him in there. Character. But, just a disruptive football player on the field. I just remember the stretch that Christian went on last year and he really stepped into his own. It was amazing to see him kind of blossom and to be a part of that. I’m excited for the future of Christian Barmore and excited to see where he takes this new level.”