The New England Patriots didn’t signal a family identify in the course of the first few hours of the NFL’s authorized tampering interval.
However they did receive a productive pass-catching operating again that ought to assist reshape New England’s defunct offense.
The Patriots reportedly agreed to a three-year deal value a most of $17.25 million with Antonio Gibson, who spent the primary 4 seasons of his NFL profession with the Washington Commanders.
It shouldn’t come as a shock if Patriots followers don’t know a lot in regards to the 25-year-old Gibson. However they need to be enthusiastic about what Gibson can deliver to his new staff, particularly after what Gibson’s former coach in Ron Rivera stated about him.
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“You see his athleticism as a result of, once more, that’s what he got here in as a receiver out of Memphis,” Rivera stated, per Boston Sports activities Journal’s Mike Giardi. “And he’s actually proven that his pass-catching capacity is there. After which as soon as he’s obtained the ball in his fingers, particularly in house, he’s a load.”
Gibson had success immediately with the Commanders, operating for 11 touchdowns as a rookie earlier than recording a 1,000-yard dashing season in 2021.
Gibson’s manufacturing decreased the next season as he shared the backfield with Brian Robinson Jr. And Rivera admitted that the Commanders wanted to do a greater job of getting Gibson touches as a result of his versatile skillset.
“I’d wish to see Antonio get just a few extra tries, clearly final 12 months, however Antonio’s proven great progress and we’re fairly enthusiastic about who he might be,” Rivera informed reporters in Might 2023, per NFL.com’s Nick Shook. “It is a man that performed vast receiver at one time popping out and one factor that he did have was each 9 touches resulted in a landing, so we’re on the lookout for some manufacturing from him as nicely and we’re seeking to see that he does slot in into the scheme of issues so far as what Eric Bieniemy needs to do with the offense.”
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Extra alternatives didn’t come Gibson’s approach this previous season, although. However he nonetheless ran for 265 yards on 65 carries whereas registering a career-high 48 receptions for 389 yards and two touchdowns.
Gibson will get a contemporary begin now with New England. And given Rivera’s reward of him, Gibson sounds precisely just like the sort of participant the Patriots wanted so as to add to their offense as they appear to change into extra explosive on that facet of the ball.