When you’re in the National Football League, there’s no offseason. Once the season ends, players swiftly get back to work in the weight room to prepare for organized team activities, mandatory minicamp and the preseason. Keeping a busy schedule year round is a norm for those chasing the Lombardi Trophy.
New England Patriots outside linebacker Marquis Flowers knows what it’s like to maintain a busy agenda throughout the offseason. Driven by the Patriots 41-33 loss in Super Bowl 52 to the Philadelphia Eagles and hungry to build on his current role in New England, Flowers has dedicated himself to improving his craft since the season closed in February.
“At the end of the day you have to let it go,” Flowers said of the Super Bowl loss. “At the same time it gives you motivation. You got to the top but came up short. We play this game to be world champions. Me personally, I play parts of the game over in my head every time I work out. Every team is motivated. We’re back at the bottom and we have to climb all the way back up.”
Flowers, a Phoenix, Arizona native, was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. The University of Arizona product spent three seasons with the Bengals, missing the entire 2015 campaign with an injury, before arriving in New England via trade in 2017.
Flowers saw an elevated role in New England’s defense due in part to injuries to fellow linebackers Dont’a Hightower, Shea McClellin and Kyle Van Noy. Flowers finished the regular season with 32 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble. He tallied six tackles and one sack in three postseason games.
Although he rose through the depth chart and made the most of his extended role, Flowers sees no shortage of room for improvement. Conditioning and a stable, healthy diet have been his two main focal points this offseason.
“I always try to work on something different,” Flowers said. “There’s always room for improvement. I’ve been working on many things. The number one thing right now is conditioning. It’s important for me to try to be in top shape and then work on fine-tuning my other skills. I’m dieting, working on a different diet for recovery purposes. Everything needs work but the biggest things now are diet and conditioning.
“It was a good year,” Flowers said of the 2017 season. “I’m thankful for everything. I’m walking out there with a clean slate to earn more playing time.”
Flowers will take time off from his busy offseason training regimen to host the 11th Annual All-American Football Fundamental Showcase at Lynn’s Manning Field on Sunday, July 22. Joining Flowers in hosting the event are fellow Patriots Jonathan Jones and Brandon King, and Obi Melifonwu of the Oakland Raiders.
“It’s great to have fun with younger kids,” Flowers said. “We show up and they think we just play football but we have a chance to show them our personalities. It’s going to be cool and a lot of fun.
“I was that age and I went to camps,” Flowers said. “I was excited. It’s great to give them pointers and that’s something they can take a long way. I think the best part about it is putting smiles on their faces and making them excited for that moment. It shows you why you love this game so much.”
The showcase is organized by Flowers’ agent, Sean Stellato. A native of Salem, Stellato represents 18 NFL players and brings the camp to Manning Field annually with a handful of his clients hosting each year.
“These camps are cool,” Flowers said. “Sean set it up and asked me to join, and I said ‘no problem.'”
Flowers offered words of advice for those who aim to follow in his footsteps and pursue a career in the NFL.
“Be relentless with it,” Flowers said. “Pursue it and never give up on your dreams. That’s the message, never give up. There’s always going to be adversity but stay with it and get back on track.”
The camp’s agenda includes instructional combine coaching, combine testing, skill development, positional work, one-on-ones, Q and A session, lectures, speed racer awards, and photos and autographs. Registration forms for Stellato’s showcase can be found on his website by visiting seanstellato.com/affs. The showcase offers a discount for Lynn residents. Those who wish to inquire about the discount can do so by sending an email to [email protected].
