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Patriots' Logan Ryan 'excited' about Sixers

HOUSTON - Logan Ryan trusts The Process. The Patriots cornerback, who went to Eastern High School, grew up a rabid 76ers fan. There hasn't been much to cheer about over the last several years, but Ryan said that he has caught the fever for the ascending team and its star rookie, Joel Embiid, and in doing so referred to the center's nickname and former Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie's credo.

HOUSTON - Logan Ryan trusts The Process.

The Patriots cornerback, who went to Eastern High School, grew up a rabid 76ers fan. There hasn't been much to cheer about over the last several years, but Ryan said that he has caught the fever for the ascending team and its star rookie, Joel Embiid, and in doing so referred to the center's nickname and former Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie's credo.

"I'm extremely excited with what the process is doing with Embiid right now," Ryan said Tuesday at the Super Bowl. "It's actually good to see the Sixers on some nationally televised games after a while."

When the Berlin, N.J., native was younger, the Sixers were regularly on national TV. A lot of that exposure had to with Allen Iverson - Ryan's favorite player. Ryan, who also played point guard in high school, has been wearing a variety of throwback jerseys during recent postgame interviews, but Iverson's was the first.

"I'm a South Jersey kid. I grew up with Philly sports all around me," Ryan said. "And Allen Iverson was the biggest thing at that time and one of the greatest athletes in the sense for being undersized and having a lot of heart."

Ryan is one of four Rutgers products who are expected to dress for Sunday's game. Safety Devin McCourty, defensive back Duron Harmon, and Ryan line up on defense. New England linebacker Jonathan Freeney, also of Rutgers, is on injured reserve.

Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu is the fourth Rutgers alumnus slated to play Sunday. Ryan and Sanu were college roommates and remain close friends. Both arrived in New Brunswick as defensive backs, but Sanu eventually moved to receiver.

"We competed with each other in everything," Sanu said Monday. "Our lockers were right next to each other. We always went against each other in one-on-one drills."

Chung's rebirth

Patrick Chung looked as if he'd rather cover Julio Jones one-on-one for an entire game than have to answer questions about his ill-fated season with the Eagles.

Asked if he ever looked back upon his one year in Philadelphia, the Patriots safety said, "Nope, not at all."

Who could blame him? Chung signed a three-year, $10 million contract in 2013, but he started in only 10 of 12 games that season and was released the following offseason. He struggled in defensive coordinator Bill Davis' scheme, but he was also dealing with an assortment of injuries, the most significant, he said, a pinched nerve in his shoulder.

Chung has reinvented himself upon his second tour in New England. He has started nearly every game since his return in 2014 and has gotten two contract extensions that have him signed through 2018. The safety made 91 tackles this season.

Bradshaw on Wentz

Carson Wentz is expected to make promotional appearances at the Super Bowl later this week - he's also one of five finalists for NFL rookie of the year, which will be awarded Saturday night - but the Eagles quarterback came up during an interview with Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw on Tuesday.

"I like him a lot," the Fox broadcaster and former Steelers quarterback said. "I think he's got to tighten his release. It's a little long. His brain sees it and his arm's not quite with his brain. . . . I think he can get quicker."