Another day of OTAs provided another look at some of the Patriots newcomers and cornerbacks Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs are on tap for today.

When watching these two one thing became apparent quickly: versatility. Both operated on the right and left sides, in the slot and Springs was occasionally seen along the backline of the secondary at safety. Most of their work took place on the far field so it was difficult at times to keep track of all the personnel groupings, but it didn’t appear that they were on the field together in any base sets. Generally, Jonathan Wilhite lined up on the opposite side any time either of them was in the lineup.

In talking to both after practice, the switching is nothing new. Springs said he’s done a little bit of everything during his time in Seattle and Washington, especially the latter where he was asked to play outside on early downs and in the slot in sub packages.

“Every day is a different assignment, a different challenge,” Springs said. “All you can do is study as much as you can. The coaches will tell you before you go out and then you get out here and do it. Early in my career I was almost exclusively outside but in Washington it was constant changing. Gregg Williams put more responsibility on me and I was on the inside a lot. Sometimes I was at safety, sometimes I was at corner, sometimes I was the nickel back – it was always changing.”

One thing Springs is looking forward to in particular is not having to cover Randy Moss, Joey Galloway (who he played with at Ohio State and in Seattle) and Wes Welker.

“I knew I would rather be on a team with [Tom] Brady and Moss and Galloway and Welker than play against them. I’m not that dumb,” he said when asked what attracted him to the Patriots.

Bodden had a similar history from his time in Cleveland and Detroit. He played the left side last season with the Lions and worked on the right side at times with the Browns. He also spent a season shadowing the opponent’s best receiver.

Having played in Cleveland under former Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, Bodden is familiar with some of the elements of New England’s system.

“It definitely helps a little bit because it is some of the same things as far as terminology,” Bodden said. “But the way they want me to play is different from the way Cleveland wanted things. It’s just knowing how they want to play different things.”

Bodden said he’s spent most of his time on the right side this spring and he has been active during the practices, making aggressive breaks on the ball on a consistent basis. Springs was also involved in some tight coverage and knocked away a couple of passes. He was beaten by Welker in the seam on a play that he was a step behind on later in practice.

Given the level of play the Patriots have acquired in the secondary in recent years with the likes of Fernando Bryant, Jason Webster and Eric Warfield, Springs and Bodden appear to be light years ahead. Each has experience and versatility and should factor into the Patriots plans in a completely revamped secondary that — based on first impressions — looks to be much improved.