Patriots linebacker Jermaine Cunningham told reporters Saturday that despite the lockout, he’s continuing to work out in hopes of making that jump from rookie part-timer to full-time contributor.

“I feel like if you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse,” he told reporters after speaking with kids at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School in Roxbury to talk to a group of children after a free camp. The camp, named “Football for YOU,” is put on by the New England Patriots Alumni Club.

“I felt like I definitely didn’t get worse. So, I did get better (in 2010). But you can always be better, which is what I’m working for right now,” he added. “That’s the transition you gotta go through. It ain’t going to get no easier, it’s always going to get harder, with better athletes, grown men out there. Gotta go out there, work harder and compete.”

In his first season with Ne England, Cunningham plated in 15 games and had 35 tackles and one sack.