New England Patriots
“The self-discipline is we want our greatest gamers to play in a sport and do their job and maintain soccer.”
When the Patriots’ offense first takes the sector in opposition to the Panthers on Sunday, don’t be stunned should you see Rhamondre Stevenson amongst that group.
Stevenson gained’t be punished in taking part in time after shedding two fumbles within the Patriots’ loss to the Steelers in Week 3, Mike Vrabel advised reporters on Friday.
“For those who’re asking me if Rhamondre is on some kind of self-discipline, no,” the Patriots head coach stated. “The self-discipline is we want our greatest gamers to play in a sport and do their job and maintain soccer. And all of us have to try this. Drake [Maye] had an interception and a fumble [against the Steelers]. We’re not going to play Josh [Dobbs] proper now.”
Whereas Stevenson has arguably been one of many Patriots’ prime gamers over the previous few years, he’s additionally had a observe file of fumbling the ball. His seven fumbles final season led the NFL, and he now has 16 in his four-plus seasons within the league.
Actually, Stevenson’s fumbling woes final yr ought to’ve value him his beginning spot for a sport. Forward of the Patriots’ Week 17 loss to the Chargers, then-head coach Jerod Mayo stated that Stevenson wouldn’t begin that sport. Nevertheless, Stevenson wound up starting for the Patriots as a consequence of a miscommunication on the teaching workers.
Each of Stevenson’s fumbles in Sunday’s sport had been pricey within the 21-14 loss. His fumble on the sport’s opening possession gave the Steelers a brief area, permitting Pittsburgh to attain a landing on its first drive. Within the third quarter, Stevenson fumbled simply wanting the purpose line because the Patriots had been trying to tie the sport.
Although the third-quarter fumble was Stevenson’s closing snap of the sport, Vrabel stood by his operating again within the fast aftermath. Vrabel continued to face by Stevenson on Friday, but additionally made it clear that he has to carry onto the ball.
“We’ve to repair these issues, the folks round them need to be higher, and I’m assured that we’ll,” Vrabel stated. “I’m not going to speak concerning the various. I’ll go down that street later, however these are issues that now we have to get mounted, however we additionally need to do good issues with the soccer, make folks miss, make yards and catch it and block after they blitz.
“So, we’re assured that these guys can do this.”
As Vrabel gave him an extended leash, Stevenson advised reporters that he feels he had a “nice week of observe.” He acknowledged that he has to show his coach proper, although.
“The primary factor remains to be the principle factor. I nonetheless need to maintain the ball,” Stevenson stated, via MassLive’s Karen Guregian. “I’m glad (Vrabel) nonetheless trusts me in a approach. My teammates belief me in a approach. But it surely’s as much as me to have 100% ball safety from right here on out.”
Regardless of the fumbles, Stevenson has arguably been the Patriots’ prime talent place participant on the younger season. His 87 speeding yards are tied for the workforce excessive, whereas he’s additionally third on the workforce in receiving yards (138).
However that additionally goes to indicate among the struggles the Patriots have had at huge receiver and operating again thus far this season. Antonio Gibson has rushed for 58 yards on an environment friendly 4.5 yards per carry this season, however he additionally fumbled within the Week 3 loss to the Steelers. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson has recorded 65 speeding yards on simply 3.4 yards per carry thus far, though he has 73 receiving yards.
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