Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson pushing to be amongst NFLs finest RBs

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Fast-hit ideas and notes across the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Scorching Stevenson: After serving to carry the Patriots to their season-opening win, working again Rhamondre Stevenson was given the final word respect by the teaching employees this week in preparation for Sunday’s dwelling opener in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks (1 p.m. ET, Fox).

Stevenson was rewarded with a restricted workload Wednesday as a substitute of banging away in full pads together with his teammates. The thought was to relaxation him after a 25-carry, 125-yard efficiency, however there was just one downside: He did not fairly take the coaches up on their supply.

“He is working gassers on the different finish of the sector,” working backs coach Taylor Embree stated. “I am like, ‘What are we doing right here?'”

Embree delivered that final line with amusing; in any case, what coach would not wish to see considered one of his gamers pushing himself past what’s required?

“It is a lengthy season, man. I felt my conditioning was superb final Sunday however further is rarely going to harm anyone,” Stevenson stated of why he ran the gassers.

Coach Jerod Mayo hinted that Stevenson has shared lofty objectives with him. Mayo was sharing his perception that he at all times seen Stevenson as one of many league’s finest when he was about to disclose considered one of Stevenson’s objectives for the 12 months earlier than stopping brief. “I most likely should not get into this,” Mayo stated.

Stevenson stated he desires to maintain his objectives to himself at this level, however allowed that he is approaching this 12 months with a “relentless” mentality that makes it arduous for the primary defender to convey him down.

His 25 carries in Week 1 have been the third most within the NFL, behind the Texans’ Joe Mixon (30) and 49ers’ Jordan Mason (28). The Eagles’ Saquon Barkley was proper behind him (24). Stevenson did not wish to come out of the sport as he helped the Patriots run out the clock, which heart and longtime captain David Andrews stated was the kind of confidence that resonates with teammates.

Embree acknowledged that the Patriots will probably be extra even handed with Stevenson’s workload because the season progresses.

“It is going to all stability itself out as we undergo the 12 months,” Embree stated. “Sport 1 we needed to make a press release. I do know ‘Mondre needed to make a press release, so he was on the market toting the rock.”

Stevenson’s model of play has been a prime storyline after his standout efficiency, with Embree saying he is the best match for offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt’s system due to his measurement (6-foot, 227 kilos), quickness, potential to make the primary defender miss and being an all-around athlete who’s adept at each run within the playbook — from between the tackles to extensive zone.

Video: Operating backs coach Taylor Embree with perception on why Alex Van Pelt’s offense is a pleasant match for RB Rhamondre Stevenson, evaluating Stevenson to a WR taking part in in a variety assault. pic.twitter.com/yDUlwbCNNS

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 12, 2024

When Van Pelt coordinated the Browns’ offense the previous 4 seasons, he had a workhorse in Nick Chubb. He has introduced the identical system to New England and Stevenson is actually his new Chubb — for one week, a minimum of.

“He is a terrific again. I have been round some good ones and he must be proper up there,” Van Pelt stated. “His contact stability, his imaginative and prescient, his potential to make guys miss on the second and third stage was actually spectacular. He is one of many hardest guys to convey down, for certain.”

Stevenson says the system is right for him.

“He is the primary offensive coordinator I have been round that completely likes to run the ball relentlessly. That is a terrific factor being a working again,” he stated. “He is a bodily man and that is precisely what I wish to do.”

2. Maye’s digital reps: Along with getting 30% of the first-team snaps at apply and serving to run the scout staff, rookie quarterback Drake Maye instructed ESPN he is experiencing the advantages of digital repetitions as he learns behind the scenes.

“The digital actuality is fairly cool, which is one other likelihood to get reps all through the week — be contained in the goggles and play the sport,” he stated. “You flick a bit distant that reveals the place you are going with the soccer. Additionally, you’ll be able to management the iPad and see the seems to be versus our performs.”

3. Household Tuesdays: Mayo has opened the staff cafeteria to coaches’ households on Tuesday, which is often coaches’ longest day of labor as they put collectively the sport plan.

“It has been a terrific factor for all of us,” stated receivers coach Tyler Hughes, who alongside together with his spouse, Lisa, has 4 sons — Kenyon, Isaac, Will and Max.

“It permits us to have our household are available, join with them, have them be part of what we’re doing. We do spend numerous hours right here, and our households — spouses and children — everybody sacrifices a terrific deal for us to teach soccer. So when they are often right here to attach with the opposite spouses and children, it brings everybody collectively. It has been a lot appreciated.”

4. Okorafor monetary affect: Veteran left sort out Chukwuma Okorafor, who was pulled after 12 snaps within the season opener and did not return, was positioned on the exempt/left squad listing Saturday. Meaning the staff receives a roster exemption till Okorafor’s standing is finalized, with sources near the scenario not anticipating him to play for the Patriots this season.

As for the monetary affect, Okorafor had signed a one-year contract with a base worth of $4 million in March, which included a $2 million signing bonus ($600,000 of which was deferred till March 31, 2025). His base wage of $1.125 million was additionally assured, so there might be some negotiating between the edges on how a lot of the $3.125 million in ensures Okorafor in the end receives.

It is a moot level now, however Okorafor additionally may have earned an extra $4.25 million in incentives, which might have paid him $850,000 for hitting 50% of the snaps, then one other $850,000 for 60%, 70%, 80% and 90%.

5. Gonzo’s gauntlet: There won’t be a cornerback within the NFL who will face the gauntlet of No. 1 receivers that second-year cornerback Christian Gonzalez will over the primary month of the season. He is off to a robust begin after matching up in man coverage with Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase 20 instances within the season-opener and limiting him to 3 catches for 14 yards.

“Christian did an unbelievable job and it began in apply. He had 4 or 5 interceptions in apply, so he began that week off Wednesday with good preparation,” defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington stated.

Subsequent up is the Seahawks’ DK Metcalf, adopted by the Jets’ Garrett Wilson and 49ers’ duo of Deebo Samuel Sr. and Brandon Aiyuk. As Gonzalez studied Metcalf’s efficiency from Week 1, he took be aware of Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II‘s strong work in limiting the “tremendous quick and massive” Metcalf to 3 catches for 29 yards, as a result of Surtain is a participant he has lengthy admired.

6. Peppers’ helmet: Arduous-hitting security Jabrill Peppers plans to put on a Guardian Cap throughout video games all season. He did it within the opener, stated he did not discover a significant distinction, and likes the concept he is protected against performs the place he won’t see an opponent and it results in incidental contact to the top/neck space. However he stated one factor that would change his plans is climate and Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Seahawks is perhaps a very good take a look at because the forecast requires sunshine and a excessive within the 80s.

“The deciding issue is how sizzling it will be as a result of it covers all of the holes on the helmet, so it will get sizzling in there,” he stated.

7. Fast snap: Patriots heart David Andrews‘ new “Quick Snap” podcast with former New England quarterback Brian Hoyer has peeled again the curtain at instances to what’s unfolding behind the scenes with the staff.

Andrews stated in a latest staff assembly that Mayo confirmed gamers a slide on the distinction between a boss and chief. On one half, there have been three folks pulling a rope and one individual sitting on a platform yelling at them — a boss. On one other half, there have been three folks pulling a rope and one individual becoming a member of them — a pacesetter. Andrews stated it mirrored the “servant management” by which Mayo is making an attempt to instill within the staff’s tradition.

8. Macdonald’s homecoming: First-year Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, who at 37 is the NFL’s youngest head coach, was born in Boston and recollects touring Foxboro Stadium in 1993 together with his father, Hugh, as his “first soccer reminiscence.”

When Macdonald was 6, the household moved to the Atlanta suburbs for his father’s job in enterprise however Macdonald nonetheless carried a ardour for the Patriots by way of the years. So when former Patriots security Lawyer Milloy visited Seahawks coaching camp in early August, it had added that means for Macdonald.

9. Belichick-Carroll void: The final time the Patriots and Seahawks met when neither Invoice Belichick nor Pete Carroll was teaching within the sport was Oct. 24, 1993. The Tom Flores-coached Seahawks defeated the Invoice Parcells-coached Patriots 10-9 on the Kingdome when quarterback Rick Mirer linked with Brian Blades for a 1-yard landing move with 25 seconds left. Patriots rookie quarterback Drew Bledsoe missed the sport due to damage, so Scott Secules began in his place.

Final season, Carroll and Belichick have been the NFL’s oldest head coaches. This 12 months, Macdonald and Mayo are the NFL’s youngest head coaches.

10. Do you know? The Patriots have a 2-3 file in opposition to the Seahawks since 2000, making them the one staff New England has a shedding file in opposition to over that span.