The New England Patriots not often depend on only one working again to tackle the majority of the work of their offense.
And with that in thoughts, new Patriots working again Antonio Gibson is aware of he’ll be working carefully with Rhamondre Stevenson this season.
Gibson and Stevenson are already getting off on the suitable foot. Gibson mentioned throughout a video name with reporters Monday that he reached out to Stevenson upon signing a three-year deal with the Patriots price a reported base wage of $11.25 million. And the 2 rapidly bonded over their shared expertise of spending time at JUCO packages throughout their collegiate careers.
“It’s only a respect factor from that JUCO stage, taking a tougher route,” Gibson instructed reporters, per team-provided video. “Not saying that we wished to be there — sure conditions brought on us to be there. It’s not a straightforward route. So, anyone that goes by way of that JUCO route they type of perceive. So, a lot respect to him.”
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Gibson admires Stevenson’s ability set as effectively. Stevenson’s means actually caught Gibson’s eyes when the previous Commanders working again received a up-close view of his new teammate when Washington confronted the Patriots at Gillette Stadium final season.
“I like his sport,” Gibson mentioned. “I keep in mind when he performed in opposition to (us) final 12 months, he hit the sideline, man, took off for like 60, 70 yards. So, a lot respect to his sport. Nice working again and I can’t wait to go to work with him, for positive.”
Splitting duties with different working backs is the norm for Gibson. After two stellar seasons to start his NFL profession, through which he mixed to run for 1,832 yards and 18 touchdowns, Gibson noticed his function decreased with the Commanders handing a piece of the workload to Brian Robinson.
It seems like Gibson might be in considerably of the same state of affairs with New England. The 25-year-old must be a robust complement to Stevenson, who is about to be New England’s lead again. Gibson is an adept go catcher, having totaled a career-high 48 receptions this previous season for 389 yards and two touchdowns.
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However Gibson doesn’t need to pigeonhole himself into a particular function.
“I’m not going to stay myself to simply the third-down again,” Gibson mentioned. “I need to compete simply the identical as everyone else. I really feel like that’s solely going to make the working again room higher. Like I mentioned, I’m not right here to step on anyone’s toes, however on the finish of the day, we now have to compete. I’m not simply right here to take the backseat. I really feel like we are able to do a variety of nice issues collectively, me and the working again room, simply including on.”