Yet here he is, catching passes from Tom Brady and putting on the uniform of a team that repeatedly tried to trade for him, finally convincing the Philadelphia Eagles to part with Lewis in March. Lewis has faced rejection. Each time, he’s responded with resolve.
“Just hard work, really, not taking no for an answer,’’ Lewis said. “I just love playing football. Getting out there and doing something I love is a blessing.
“Life’s too short not to have fun, so I’m going to enjoy every second that I’m out here, every second that I’m in the meeting room, and every second of every day. That’s how I am, and that’s how I’m going to continue to be.’’
The affable seventh-year pro from the University of Illinois figures to compete for the No. 3 receiving position, and his toughness and versatility - the Eagles utilized him in the slot, but he’s also comfortable and effective running outside routes - are attributes that appealed to the Patriots.
The fact that he played well against New England certainly factored into his new home as well. Lewis caught his first NFL touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XXXIX against the Patriots, and had four catches - all on third downs - for 88 yards and two touchdowns during a tense 31-28 Patriots home win in 2007, when Philadelphia nearly ruined New England’s quest for perfection.
“Greg’s always killed us; every time we’ve played him, he’s killed us,’’ said coach Bill Belichick. “We haven’t been able to cover him very well, so that kind of catches your attention, catches your eye a little bit.
“It was an annual conversation, maybe more than annual, that I had with [Eagles coach] Andy Reid. We had discussed Greg Lewis in trade situations for . . . at least the last three years, and maybe longer. It might have even been his rookie year. It’s gone back a long way.’’
Lewis landed on Belichick’s radar when the Patriots’ coaching staff was studying Illinois game tapes and evaluating defensive back Eugene Wilson, whom the team would take in the second round of the 2003 draft. But Belichick said it was difficult to ignore the Illini receiver making plays on the other side of the ball.
