FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — If it looks as if Christian Gonzalez is lingering on the sphere throughout pregame warmups on Super Bowl Sunday, that’s as a result of he in all probability shall be.
After a sequence of setbacks over his first three NFL seasons, the 23-year-old is properly conscious of how briskly issues can change on this league. So, attending to play on its biggest stage for the primary time isn’t one thing he takes evenly.
“Deal with it like one other recreation, however you understand it’s not one other recreation,” the Patriots cornerback stated. “It’s the final one, so that you simply go on the market and also you simply give all of it you’ve received. Even whilst you’re enjoying, you continue to get to take pleasure in it. You get to run on the market and see the sphere that claims, ‘Tremendous Bowl.’ Little issues like that.”
Enjoyment has are available in begins and stops for Gonzalez following a rookie season in 2023 during which he performed in simply 4 video games earlier than happening injured reserve with a torn labrum in his shoulder after which having season-ending surgical procedure.
He returned in full pressure in 2024, showing in 16 video games whereas establishing himself because the workforce’s prime cowl cornerback, permitting receivers solely 6 yards per goal, and yielding completions 55.7% of the time the ball was thrown in his path.
It appeared as if there was nowhere to go however up.
However all his progress appeared to be in jeopardy after a hamstring damage within the first week of coaching camp ultimately sidelined him for the primary three video games.
It’s confirmed simply to be a hiccup for Gonzalez, who returned to play within the ultimate 14 regular-season video games. He was once more trusted to cowl opponents’ greatest receivers this season, ending tied for second on the workforce with 10 go breakups whereas being chosen for his first Professional Bowl.
He’s carried out his greatest work within the fourth quarter through the playoffs, permitting simply two receptions, 12 receiving yards and no touchdowns with an interception the eight occasions he’s been focused. It units up what might be a pivotal matchup within the Tremendous Bowl with Seattle Seahawks vast receiver Jaxon Smith Njigba.
Gonzalez’s lone interception got here late within the AFC title recreation to assist safe the Patriots’ victory.
“It felt prefer it was a great time to get the primary decide. … getting the ball again to ( Drake Maye ) and letting him ice the sport,” Gonzalez stated.
Gonzalez’s efficiency in these huge moments has been a part of a year-long evolution Patriots coach Mike Vrabel stated he’s noticed Gonzalez endure during the last month and a half.
“There’s only a presence, I really feel like. Not that there was something flawed,” Vrabel stated. “I simply felt when he blitzed, when he coated, when he — perhaps it was simply me — however I’ve received a fairly good seat for a few of these video games. And so, I simply felt him begin to proceed to affect at a higher stage. … So, there’s no secret that we’ll want him to play properly, in addition to the remainder of our different good gamers.”
Gonzalez stated he can’t pinpoint any particular change in his method however does bear in mind the dialog he had together with his coach.
“After the Baltimore recreation, he advised me he felt like he noticed one thing completely different,” Gonzalez recalled. “However I’ve sort of simply been making ready and doing what I’ve been doing. Simply wish to proceed to make the performs that I must make when my quantity’s referred to as and do what I’ve received to do for this workforce to win.”
Gonzalez’s motivation additionally stems from having to trudge by way of the workforce’s back-to-back 4-13 seasons. However enjoying below his third coach in three seasons and every little thing is lastly coming collectively.
“First two years we needed to undergo some issues. However we’re excited the place we’re at now,” he stated. “This workforce is tremendous shut and we put loads of work in. We simply wish to go on the market and end it.”
That stated, he guarantees to not lose the childhood pleasure he had watching the Tremendous Bowl as a child.
It’s why his eyes will stay vast open for the complete expertise as soon as the workforce airplane lands in California.
“I’ve been dreaming about it since I used to be a little bit child and it’s right here. The second’s right here,” Gonzalez stated. “So go on the market and revel in it even through the recreation.”
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