Quarterback Kevin O’ Connell, who played for San Diego State, looks for a receiver during the Patriots’ rookie mini-camp last Friday.

Providence Journal / John Freidah

FOXBORO –– Toward the end of the third practice session of rookie mini-camp last weekend, New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, Josh McDaniels, went off to one end zone with third-round draft pick Kevin O’Connell, the team’s newest quarterback.

As O’Connell and McDaniels worked, a member of the Patriots’ video department knelt a few paces in front of O’Connell, taping his every move. The young signal-caller worked on three- and five-step drops, holding a ball but not throwing to anyone.

Before he was sent home for a couple of weeks, O’Connell was given a DVD of the session and a detailed list of things to work on away from Gillette Stadium.

That gave O’Connell an immediate idea that things were different in New England, and in the NFL.

“I haven’t been exposed to coaching like this before,” he said after the Saturday session. “There’s a lot that coach McDaniels wants me to work on every day.”

McDaniels had firsthand knowledge of what the 6-foot-5, 225-pound former San Diego State Aztec was capable of before O’Connell arrived in Foxboro. McDaniels worked him out personally in California before the draft. While there were, of course, things that needed work, McDaniels clearly liked the raw talent he saw in O’Connell.

On the day he was drafted, O’Connell said he was impressed with McDaniels.

“I thought of all the coaches that I met through this process and worked out for, he had, by far, the best kind of mentality when it comes to teaching,” he said. “You can tell from the first (time) we put on tape and went out to the field that he really understood the best way to get things across and the best way to teach things and evaluate things. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him.”

O’Connell proved to be a quick study. It was clear to see some improvement in him through the three sessions media were allowed to watch (there was a fourth later Saturday).

Head coach Bill Belichick saw it, as well, which can mean nothing but good things for the soon-to-be 23-year-old.

“Some of the things we talked to him about (Friday), he was trying to do them,” Belichick said on Saturday. “Again, he has a lot going on out there. I think the next couple of weeks will be a good time for all the (rookie) players to work on techniques and the individual instruction they get from the coaches.”

Belichick added that the type of instruction O’Connell received is a plus for all players, but a necessity for certain skill positions, such as quarterback, punter, kicker or long snapper.

“When you are back there trying to do something in the middle of a game, there is a lot of stuff going on and you are not thinking about that. But when you have time to work on something in a more isolated situation, a more isolated environment, when you are not trying to read coverages and adjust to routes and all that,” it is beneficial, Belichick said. “You are just trying to work on your footwork, your throwing mechanics or your punting technique. We do that with all the players.”

Though it is highly unlikely he’ll be stepping into the starting role anytime soon –– there is that guy Brady ahead of him on the depth chart –– O’Connell is relishing the chance to learn from the league’s reigning MVP.

“He went out of his way to say hi to me” in the training room, O’Connell said of Tom Brady. “I’m interested to really get around him on a daily basis. I think it can make me a better teammate. I really admire quarterbacks, especially quarterbacks that play at the high level that he does.”

An apprenticeship working under a master craftsman? Sounds like good work if you can get it.

smanza@projo.com