Comparing the reputations of the New England Patriots with that of the Cincinnati Bengals over the last decade is bit like comparing the Ohio River to the Atlantic Ocean -- no comparison.
Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis made the leap across the spectrum of NFL franchises upon signing his three-year, $9-million deal with the Bengals this offseason.
Green-Ellis doesn't make comparisons between current employer and previous, showing his acumen under the tutelage of Bill Belichick. He doesn't deny this new spot in Cincinnati will be different than New England.
“Anywhere you go is going to be different,” he said.
As much as his contract and surroundings change, Green-Ellis stays the same. He made his mark fighting and scrapping as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and eventually churned out 24 touchdowns the past two seasons.
“His approach to the game (during OTAs) was as he was an undrafted free agent – in everything we did,” Marvin Lewis said. “He had that same approach and feel that he’s had since he’s been here. Obviously that’s his personality, so he’s not going to change.”
He has no plans to.
“Once you are out there on the field I don't think anyone is running around with an undrafted or first-round sticker on their head,” he said. “When you are in between the lines no one knows where you come from you just have to go out there and prove your mark.”
His attitude might not change, but his production should. Green-Ellis only caught nine passes last season with New England. In Jay Gruden's West Coast offense, he will be expected to catch more passes. Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott combined for 28 receptions last season with third-down back Brian Leonard adding another 22.
“They ask me to run, I'm going to run,” he said. “They ask me to catch, I'm going to catch, they ask me to block I'm going to be able to block, too. Every year is a new year. So, somebody ask you about your game tell them to watch you this year. Nobody's game stays the same each year in and year out. Every year is different."
Follow Paul Dehner’s Cincinnatti Bengals report on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLCIN.