Patriots: ‘Possible’ Antonio Gibson could replace Rhamondre Stevenson as starter
After Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo watched the film from Sunday’s 24-21 loss to the Bills, he came away with two key issues: ball security and run defense.
Running back Rhamondre Stevenson was involved in two of the Patriots’ turnovers. He lost a fumble midway through the third quarter and dropped a backward pass from rookie quarterback Drake Maye that was recovered at the goal line for a touchdown by the Bills.
Mayo said the team is considering benching Stevenson for Gibson. It would be the second time that has happened this season. Stevenson didn’t start Week 5 after fumbling in each of his first four games.
“Look, I think everyone understands how important the football is. We’re a team that we just can’t turn the ball over. I don’t think any team can really afford to turn the ball over,” Mayo said. “I thought Gibby, when he got in there, did a great job.
“Look, we had to go back and talk about it as a staff, but it’s definitely still a possibility. Look, I will say this: we all in this building stand behind Rhamondre and the things that he does. He does a lot of good things. Unfortunately, right now, the ball’s just on the ground too much.”
Gibson also fumbled Sunday, but he was able to recover it.
Stevenson has fumbled seven times on 238 touches this season, while Gibson has fumbled twice on 115 touches.
Mayo wouldn’t put all the blame on Stevenson for the dropped backward pass. Right tackle Demontrey Jacobs also missed a block on the play.
“One thing I would say just about the Rhamondre play, obviously you want him to be a little flatter there, but it’s the cut block,” Mayo said. “If we get the cut block by the tackle — watching the film, you get that cut block, we have a big play there.”
The third turnover was an interception from Maye. Mayo said Maye made a bad throw but seemed to believe that the Bills should have been penalized on the play. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne and tight end Austin Hooper — the intended receiver — were both knocked down by Bills defenders when the ball was in the air.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/bKYXrIV
Post a Comment