Rhamondre Stevenson had extra fumbles than every other operating again final season. So whereas Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel won’t have been in New England, and whereas the brand new teaching employees would possibly permit the previous to be the previous for Stevenson and others, overlooking previous deficiencies might impression future outcomes.
New England’s 21-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium on Sunday would possibly’ve been proof of that.
“I ponder, personally, concerning the teaching resolution of giving him the soccer on the purpose line the place he coughs it up and provides it away,” Patriots insider Phil Perry mentioned on Patriots Postgame Live following the Week 3 defeat.
Stevenson misplaced two fumbles in Sunday’s recreation after going turnover-free within the first two video games of the season. His giveaways have been among the many 5 whole turnovers by New England’s offense. Drake Maye threw an interception ultimately zone on the finish of the primary half and Stevenson turned it over at Pittsburgh’s 2 yard line on the subsequent Patriots possession.
Each value New England significant factors in a seven-point loss.
Given Stevenson’s monitor report of fumbling the soccer (seven fumbles in 15 video games in 2024) and the very fact he turned it over on the third play of the competition, Perry believes the employees’s decision-making is worthy of critique.
Two performs after Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane intercepted Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers and set the offense up with first-and-10 from the Pittsburgh 11 yard line, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels referred to as a run play for Stevenson. Stevenson had it punched out of his palms by defensive deal with Cameron Heyward, a theme Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin mentioned was some extent of emphasis this week.
“You do not get seven, you do not get three, you get nothing,” Perry mentioned. “Since you gave the ball on the purpose line to a man who’s had fumbling points, who had a fumble earlier within the recreation.
“Why do you need to maintain giving it to him?” Perry continued. “Is he that a lot of a difference-maker that you need to maintain him concerned, you need to maintain him completely happy? It’s important to maintain his confidence up?
“… For Stevenson to get the ball on the purpose line in that scenario and provides it up, I take a look at the teaching employees and say, ‘Why is he getting the ball there, proper?'”
Stevenson was critical of himself after the loss whereas Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and Vrabel spoke up in help of Stevenson.
“We all know what his capabilities are, and we gotta get him again,” Vrabel mentioned. “We want him. We completely want him.”
The Patriots additionally want him to cease placing the ball on the bottom.
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