FOXBOROUGH – The man who currently is the key to future of the New England Patriots' interior defensive line arrived at Gillette Stadium Monday.

Wearing a gold medallion that carries his son's name around his neck, defensive tackle Dominique Easley, New England's first-round pick out of the University of Florida, was formally introduced to the region during a jersey presentation and news conference Monday morning.

Prior to handing the microphone over to Easley, owner Robert Kraft held court, telling the assembled media that he and Easley are members of the same fraternity, Zeta Beta Tau, and that several members of the defensive tackle's family have served in the military. Later, Easley said that his upbringing has made him more appreciative of the opportunities he is now enjoying.

"That helped me as a man, that there's no excuse for nothing," Easley said. "They're put in situations where it is life or death. The life that we're living right now is much easier than they had to live and go towards. ... I'm real appreciative for this. Most people don't get to experience this type of life."

A Staten Island native, Easley arrived in Foxborough Sunday night and went out to dinner with other members of the Patriots' draft class. During his initial meeting with Bill Belichick, the coach told him that this year's rookies are already behind due to the draft being moved back two weeks so they cannot afford to fall any further behind.

The first order of business on Monday was to undergo a physical and have a meeting with Belichick and the other rookies. Easley, who is working his way back from a torn ACL, the second of his career, said that he was going to meet with the trainers later Monday afternoon to discuss the best way to handle his rehabilitation.

After he was drafted, a source indicated that Easley was ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation and he said Monday that he is looking forward to putting the injury in the past and getting back out on the field.

"I can't wait, I haven't played a game since September," Easley said.

During a conference call Thursday after the Patriots selected him, Easley spoke about the importance of his one-year-old son Dominique Easley II, and how having to provide for him factored into his decision to enter the draft instead of trying to return to Florida on a medical red-shirt year.

On Monday, his son came up again when asked about the gold chain the he was wearing, and Easley explained that the chain was his way of bringing his son with him to New England since he was unable to accompany him at this time.

One thing Easley won't be bringing with him is the Chucky doll he used to carry around campus from the movie "Child's Play." The doll became synonymous with him during his time in college, and lives on in his Twitter moniker, MR_ChUcKiE_2.

"No, I'm not bringing the Chucky doll," Easley said. "It was just a birthday present and I just stuck with it."

Another thing Easley is hoping to bring with him is the production that led him to being a first-round pick. As Kraft explained during his opening comments, Easley also has a hidden talent.

"I heard he can dance," Kraft said.

Perhaps that could come in handy after sacking the quarterback.