Getty Mike Vrabel New England Patriots
After a slightly rocky start he New England Patriots have managed to rattle off four straight wins, including one at five-time consecutive reigning AFC East champions, the Buffalo Bills, whom the Patriots have temporarily usurped atop the division.
One of the few major sticking points with New England’s team has been the run game from the running backs themselves.
Although quarterback, Drake Maye, has demonstrated vast capabilities to make plays with both his legs and his arm and contribute to the rushing attack, the Patriots still need more from their guys as pertains to the ground game.
Neither veteran back, Rhamondre Stevenson, nor second round rookie, TreVeyon Henderson, have managed to stake a truly definite claim on the RB1 spot, with both averaging 3.6 yards per carry on the season.
Mike Vrabel Explains Why He Has Stuck With Rhamondre Stevenson
Despite Stevenson having also fumbled 3 times in 7 games to start the season, head coach Mike Vrabel has stuck with him and continued to give him the lions share of touches. The former fourth round pick carried the ball 18 times to Henderson’s two in the Patriots’ blowout 31-13 win against the Tennessee Titans.
Many across the league – including angry fantasy football managers – have questioned why Vrabel continues to neglect Henderson’s and reduce his amount of opportunities carrying the ball. And speaking WEEI 93.7 on Monday, the head coach outlined why the team is keeping the 27 year old as the bell-cow in the offense.
“You look at last week, at the end of the game.” Vrabel said on Monday. “He steps up, he blocks the inside linebacker. Yesterday, he’s blocking in protection, he’s up in the A-gap. He goes out, scans out to the nickel, and we’re able to get a big third down pass off. So he does a lot of things without the football, and then when he does have the football, when he takes care of it, and he’s decisive, he’s been good.”
Vrabel Did Not Want To Change The Winning Formula On Offense
Although he has been, suffice to say, less than mistake-free early this season, Vrabel explained that Stevenson’s high level of involvement was about maintaining trust within the offensive group and not changing a winning formula.
“[Rhamondre] did a lot of really good things early in the season against Miami.” Vrabel said on Monday. “And there’ll be a time where they’re calling for my job, and they’re calling for everybody’s job. That’s just how this business works. And I didn’t want to jerk the wheel.”
Whilst Vrabel also conceded that running back is not just a one-man position, and that contributions would also be made from other members of the unit, including the second round rookie, Stevenson’s play has merited his snap count.
“All our backs are going to play. TreVeyon’s going to have a role, and Terrell [Jennings] is going to have a role. And Rhamondre – he’s a very good pass protector. And again, there’s the whole body of work.”
Some more fumbles and lack of ball security could see the former Titans head coach reverse course on this position. But for the moment, it is the Rhamondre show on the ground at Foxborough.
