FOXBORO — The second the Patriots drafted Christian Gonzalez within the first spherical final April, he stuffed an apparent want.
Gonzalez projected as a beginning cornerback for a staff in determined want of measurement and expertise on the place, particularly one with an extended record of harmful No. 1 receivers on its schedule. That want grew to become extra dire over the weekend when the Pats positioned second-year nook Jack Jones on injured reserve.
With Jones out, there was no query Gonzalez would begin Week 1 in opposition to the Eagles and must corral some of the harmful receiver duos within the NFL: A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
Four quarters later, test, and test.
Gonzalez posted seven tackles, a move breakup and one sack in his NFL debut Sunday. He allowed a number of catches to Brown and Smith, however denied probably the most important: a fourth-and-2 throw with lower than two minutes remaining that gave the Patriots one other drive to probably win the sport. Gonzalez jumped Smith’s in-breaking route and practically intercepted it.
The rookie totally impressed his teammates post-game, who additionally insisted his efficiency didn’t shock them.
“We knew what kind of guy we were getting,” security Jabrill Peppers mentioned. “We’d seen it in OTAs, training camp. He’s a smart kid, ready to compete. And we need him to keep playing at that level.”
Pats linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley mentioned Gonzalez’s sport preparation for the Eagles assist set him aside.
“When he was in the game, just having attention to detail and kind of knowing what we’re trying to get done and what Philly wants to do, just doing well in those situations,” Bentley mentioned. “I thought he did a solid job today.”
Post-game, Gonzalez mentioned it meant lots to him to have earned the belief of his teammates and coaches. As the Patriots rotated gamers at each place besides quarterback and offensive line, he was as near a mainstay as there was on protection. Gonzalez performed extra snaps than nearly all of his teammates and overcame what he described as a serious distinction from his expertise within the preseason.
“Speed of the game, tempo of the game,” he mentioned. “Atmosphere, the atmosphere out there was great. Came out, showed out, so it was real fun.”
Next week, Gonzalez might be charged with limiting one other explosive duo in Miami’s Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. They mixed for nearly 300 receiving yards and two touchdowns throughout the Dolphins’ opener at Los Angeles.
No relaxation for the rookie.
Source: www.bostonherald.com