Chase Winovich keeping low profile in early workouts with Patriots

While he was in college at Michigan, Chase Winovich was known for his wild hair and his controversial comments.

Now that he is employed by the New England Patriots, the Thomas Jefferson graduate has toned down half of his act.

Winovich’s hair remains long, but he’s kept his comments generic – just how coach Bill Belichick likes them.

To paraphrase, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Winovich knows his role and he’s shutting his mouth.

“I’m a rookie. Being vocal, especially in the media, being a blinking light, is not what I am to be right now,” Winovich told USA Today this week. “My goal is to make the 53-man roster and contribute to this team in a positive way.”

Pretty bland stuff, indeed.

Winovich said the cliché approach was of his own volition and not impressed upon him by Belichick.

“I wouldn’t say ‘put a lid on it,’ but you have to be a little more strategic,” Winovich said. “Turn the dial back a little bit. It’s just a matter of playing football now. This is professional. This isn’t college anymore, and I’m a rookie.”

During his final year with the Wolverines, Winovich referred to Michigan State as the school’s “little brother,” he called a loss to Ohio State a “mirage” and equated a revenge win against Penn State as “we wanted our lunch money back.”