FOXBORO — The Patriots went into the 2023 offseason with one manifestly apparent want, and regardless of getting possibly a bit bit too cute by buying and selling again three spots, they landed the precise participant they wanted within the first spherical after they drafted cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
It’s nonetheless very early. The Patriots have but to strap on pads, and solely three days of coaching camp have handed, however Gonzalez has are available since Wednesday’s first apply and supplied all the things the group has wanted as a beginning cornerback.
The Patriots desperately wanted a cornerback with measurement who may match up with greater, extra bodily receivers. The cornerbacks on the Patriots’ roster have been both small in stature or bulk, or undeserving of a beginning spot on the roster.
Enter the 6-foot-2, 205-pound rookie who has matched up effectively with greater, bodily receivers three days into camp.
Gonzalez has been focused eight instances up to now via three practices. He’s allowed simply 4 catches with two cross breakups. He was focused 3 times Friday and allowed a catch on one brief cross with a cross breakup over 6-foot-3, 215-pound broad receiver DeVante Parker. Quarterback Mac Jones borderline went after Gonzalez in Thursday’s apply, concentrating on him on 4 of his first 5 11-on-11 reps. Gonzalez held his personal, letting up two catches with a cross breakup over 6-foot-1, 215-pound broad receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
“It’s fun,” Gonzalez mentioned about taking first-team reps. “I go out there and get the best competition I can. It’s all about just — it’s me in there with the vets and just learning how they play. And them learning how I play, as well. We’re all just bonding on and off the field.”
One of the perfect compliments you can give Gonzalez is that there’s been no noticeable dropoff for the Patriots’ protection — a dominant unit in 2022 — with the 21-year-old defender inserted into the combo. The Patriots misplaced only one defensive starter from final season when legendary security Devin McCourty retired. Gonzalez isn’t a 1-for-1 alternative as a result of they play totally different positions, however he’ll seemingly be the one fully new starter within the unit this season as a number of safeties rotate to switch McCourty.
It feels like Gonzalez’s place group has been receiving additional consideration from head coach Bill Belichick.
“It’s real fun to be able to be coached by him,” Gonzalez mentioned. “He’s one of the best ever, especially with DBs. Him being in our room and doing all that, it’s just real fun to be able to watch him growing up and then come be a part of it.”
Gonzalez is totally appropriate. There’s a formidable record of defensive backs who’ve thrived in New England below Belichick from McCourty to Ty Law, Darrelle Revis, Stephon Gilmore, Malcolm Butler, JC Jackson, Rodney Harrison, Patrick Chung, Jonathan Jones and plenty of others.
The Patriots want a cornerback within the mould of Law, Revis and Gilmore to lock down one aspect of the sector when the protection is enjoying man protection. Gonzalez has the potential to be that kind of participant, and he’s displaying indicators of dominance early in camp.
Source: www.bostonherald.com