FOXBOROUGH – Linebacker Jerod Mayo likes the enthusiasm he’s seen from his teammates over the first two days of the Patriots’ offseason program.

“Definitely,” he told reporters Tuesday on the newly surfaced field at Gillette Stadium. “The guys have really come in and been prepared. You can tell they were at home working. We’re starting off on a good foot.”

Mayo called this part of the offseason “very important” and noted it’s a time to build camaraderie.

“Conditioning is a big part of football,” he said. “We lost a lot of games in the fourth quarter and that’s one thing we have to change. It starts now. ... You can tell from the guys that were here before we had to report that people are really hungry to get back at it and start the new season."

Mayo, who noted he has recovered physically from the 2009 season, explained how the early days of the program have unfolded.

“Weights and running – all day,” he said. “[Strength coach] Mike Woicik and his guys have put together a great program and we just have to execute it.”

Mayo added that film study is a big part of his daily routine. He also talked about how he hopes to become more of a vocal leader in his third season.

Asked if Adalius Thomas’s situation has become a distraction to the players working out, he said: “Not at all. We’re here. The players that are here are the players that the coaches are going to focus on. Whatever he has going on, that’s between him and the organization. Whoever is here, that’s who we’re going to work with.”