Patriots running back and special teams standout Sammy Morris, left, is hauled down after a positive gain during the first half of last Sunday’s rout of the Buffalo Bills.

The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach

FOXBORO — When Sammy Morris’ contract ran out with the Miami Dolphins last season, several teams gave him a call.

It didn’t take him long to figure out that he wanted to be a New England Patriot.

“I’ve talked to guys who have played here and it just seemed like it was the best fit as far as how they utilize players on offense,” said Morris, who chose New England over Miami, Kansas City and Minnesota. “It kind of fits how I am as a person and as a player as well.”

Morris was originally drafted out of Texas Tech by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round (156th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft. After serving as a backup to Antowain Smith and Travis Henry with the Bills, he signed with Miami as a free agent in 2004 and was thrust into the starting role due to the abrupt retirement of Ricky Williams.

Morris was Miami’s leading rusher during the 2004 season, and he served as the team’s backup running back to Ronnie Brown in the 2005 and 2006 seasons. He said that he signed with the Patriots because New England has “an excellent track record.”

“Their approach was basically just saying, ‘We like what you do,’ and in a nutshell, ‘This is what we do and this is what we are expecting,’ ” said Morris, who signed a four-year, $7-million contract with the Pats.

In three games so far, Morris has performed better than expected. He rushed for 54 yards against the New York Jets; 51 yards with a touchdown against San Diego and 46 yards with a touchdown against Buffalo. He is averaging 4.6 yards per rush.

“Sammy’s been a surprise for everybody,” New England quarterback Tom Brady said. “I think he’s done everything that we’ve asked him to do. He’s very powerful and explosive. He reads the field very well … and he catches the ball good, so he’s a threat in the passing game. He’s a threat running the ball. He’s been a great addition and he’s got a knack for the goal line so there doesn’t need to be much room there for him to make yards. He’s powerful enough to move the pile.”

“Sammy’s done a great job for us,” New England coach Bill Belichick said. “Sammy’s been a player that has contributed on all four downs. He’s played in the kicking game and he’s played on third down and on first and second down. He gets asked to do a lot of different things and he does them well. He’s versatile. He’s smart. He’s a tough kid.”

Morris learned about hard work from his parents. His father, Samuel Morris II, was a staff sergeant in the Air Force.

“When I come here every day, I just try to be me and give my team all I’ve got,” said Morris, who grew up in San Antonio, Texas.

Knowing that Laurence Maroney was taking over as New England’s featured running back, Morris said that he wasn’t sure how much playing time he would get when he first signed. So far he is happy with his playing time.

He said that the most difficult thing for him when he joined the Patriots was learning the terminology of the plays. He studied them hard back in March and April, and he said that’s when he also got to bond with his new teammates. He is very close to Maroney both on and off the field. The two are neighbors.

In addition to offense, Morris also plays on New England’s special teams.

“I think that’s an area for me that I really take pride in,” Morris said. “Special teams is really where I first got my start as far as consistent playing time.”

Morris knows that football won’t last forever, so he’s already looking ahead to life past it. He wants to attend the Dallas Theological Seminary in order to pursue a career in counseling following his playing days. He believes he can use what he has learned during his NFL career to assist others off the field. He also has a passion for writing.

Morris has strong beliefs, and he balances football with family and religion.

“I don’t see faith as a Sunday thing,” Morris said when asked how he balances playing football and going to church on Sunday. “I see it as a daily thing.

“I can play football another four or five years, and after that I’ll be done with the NFL. So that kind of helps me get a perspective on what is important [in life],” said Morris, who has two daughters, Kiera and Jadyn, and a son, Sammy IV, with his wife Leslie.

Morris has been very active in charity work. In his four seasons with Buffalo, he served as a spokesman for the “Hit the Books” summer reading program in which he visited various libraries throughout Western New York to help promote literacy.

He was also involved in several charity organizations with Miami.

While religion keeps him grounded, football is what pays the bills. He said that he works hard at becoming the best football player that he can be.

“I just try to stay focused on what I’ve got to do when my number is called,” Morris said. “All the time that I’ve spent in the offseason preparing for this, I just try to utilize that.”

“He’s been on top of his assignments and he’s performing well, in the preseason games, in practices, and so far in the regular season” Belichick said of Morris. “He’s a good, hard worker. He’s a really dependable guy. He’s a professional.”

roblee@projo.com