FOXBORO — Ezekiel Elliott hadn’t participated in a soccer apply for over seven months earlier than signing with the Patriots final week, so he had loads of bottled-up vitality.
That helps clarify why he’s “bringing juice to the practices,” as beginning quarterback Mac Jones mentioned on WEEI’s “Jones and Mego with Arcand” program this week. Elliott was firing up teammates on the sideline throughout joint practices with the Packers in Green Bay final week when he had solely signed with the group yesterday. The group was impressed with the rapid vitality he introduced on Day 1.
“I think I missed the first 17 practices of camp,” Elliott mentioned. “So, I thought I definitely should come in and be a little energizer boost. The transition has been good. I’ve been getting along with the team. I love the coaches. I love this atmosphere. I love this program. Just having fun.”
Elliott has been sharing snaps within the Patriots’ backfield with beginning operating again Rhamondre Stevenson in current practices. Elliott and Stevenson each obtained eight touches Wednesday in apply. Both had been additionally on the receiving finish of 1 incompletion.
Stevenson took six handoffs and caught two passes. Elliott carried the ball seven instances and caught one move. Early indications are that the Patriots will use their two operating backs equally.
“It’s great working with Rhamondre,” Elliott mentioned. “Me and Mondre have the same agents. We’ve known each other for a while. He’s a back that has a similar running style as me. We’ll be able to complement each other very well.”
Stevenson was extra environment friendly than Elliott final season, however each gamers have served as three-down backs, have the scale for use in short-yardage conditions and the receiving and blocking abilities to be on the sector on third down.
Elliott carried the ball 231 instances for 876 yards, averaging 3.8 yards per try, with 12 touchdowns final season. He additionally caught 17 passes for 92 yards. He’s compiled 1,881 carries for 8,262 yards with 68 touchdowns in 103 profession video games with 305 catches for two,336 yards with 12 receiving touchdowns.
Stevenson had 1,040 yards on fewer carries (210) with 5 touchdowns. He caught 69 passes for 421 yards with yet another landing in his first true season because the Patriots’ lead again.
“‘Mondre is doing a great job, and the whole running back room,” Jones mentioned on WEEK. “I feel (operating backs coach) Vinny (Sunseri) does an incredible job preserving all people to that normal.
“There isn’t a lot of drop-off between players, which I love. You’re in there with one guy, you’re in there with a different guy, but you know they know what to do and you have confidence in every one of them.”
Elliott has loved his time to this point in New England after spending the primary seven years of his profession with the Dallas Cowboys.
The three-time Pro Bowl choice believed he was a “good fit” for the Patriots. He sees his new group as being “well-coached” and “very disciplined.”
“I think you look at my play style and the culture of this team,” he mentioned. “I think it’s a good match.”
Elliott met with Jones for dinner throughout a go to with the Patriots late final month. He mentioned his new quarterback has been nice as a pacesetter on the apply subject.
When requested about his first impressions of head coach Bill Belichick, Elliott referred to as him a “great coach” and a “funny guy.”
He calls for excellence of this group,” Elliott mentioned. “He knows how to get it out of you.”
Elliott’s first apply with the Patriots was spent on conditioning in Green Bay. He was restricted however did see time towards the Packers’ protection in these fully-padded practices final Thursday. He’s been a full participant in two practices to this point this week because the Patriots put together for his or her third and last preseason sport Friday night time towards the Tennessee Titans.
I used to be at dwelling, however I used to be undoubtedly working my tail off,” Elliott mentioned. “I feel good. I feel like I’m ready to play. Just gotta — I’ve been here, what? A week? Eight days? Still getting in that playbook, trying to know it the way I should, but getting there.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com