FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Reporters had the opportunity to speak to Patriots assistant coaches on Wednesday. Here are some quick hits from the availability:

Hightower an "excellent student." Linebackers coach Pepper Johnson had high marks for rookie Dont'a Hightower. "Excellent student. This is a big compliment for (Alabama coach) Nick Saban, but I know what type of teacher he is, because being under him myself, he groomed a young man very well. He's a guy that football means something to him. He wants to learn. He's not only just listening but he's asking questions. He's making things are sure before he goes out and demonstrates on the field," Johnson said.

Carpenter a "workaholic." Johnson called free-agent acquisition Bobby Carpenter a "workaholic," adding "he's constantly going. You have to slow him down on the field. I don't want to slow him down, but he goes constantly. He's going to be a plus for us, and he already has been a plus."

Technique adjustments for McCourty. Cornerbacks coach Josh Boyer on cornerback Devin McCourty: "I think the thing with Devin is you know he is going to come in with an outstanding work ethic. There's a couple things that we've been focused on, technique-wise with Devin, to try to help him to improve his game. I think the big thing with him is his consistency. He did a lot of good things for us last year, as well as his rookie year. We try to build on those good things, and the things that we see that aren't so good, we'll try to improve those as well. ... He's a mentally tough kid, he's a physically tough kid. He's able to handle coaching. He's able to handle adjustments. That's what makes him flexible at positions, too. He's able to pick that stuff up pretty well for us."

New TE coach Godsey on commitment to team. George Godsey, who was promoted from offensive assistant to tight ends coach this offseason, has long been connected with former Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien. When O'Brien was hired as head coach at Penn State, there was talk Godsey would follow him to State College as quarterbacks coach, but Godsey ended up staying in New England. "When I made the decision to come here, it was a commitment to the Patriots and (head coach) Bill Belichick and (owner Robert) Kraft," Godsey explained. "I think on my end, that was something I wanted to follow through with. I'm looking forward to this year's opportunity of coaching the tight ends."

Ridley "got a little loose with the ball." In his 2011 rookie campaign, running back Stevan Ridley saw his playing time dip late in the season and into the playoffs after some ball security issues. Running backs coach Ivan Fears explained the situation Wednesday, saying, "He has to work at it. He has to get used to carrying the weight of the ball the proper way. He's trying to make plays in the game in the course of the year. He got a little loose with the ball. It can be corrected. It's both mental and physical. ... [the ball] is the most important thing we have. When you have the ball, everybody on the team trusts the fact that you're going to bring it back." Fears also said the relative youth at the position has changed his job. "A bunch of young kids. They have a lot more to learn," he said.