"His "contact courage" has been noted by coaches and teammates as an often overlooked but critical ingredient to the Patriots' defensive success. A third-quarter play in a Week 11 win over the New York Jets -- when 6-foot-1, 205-pound Gonzalez jacked up receiver Tyler Johnson, leading receiver Isaiah Williams to run into Johnson's back on a sweep -- is one notable example of Gonzalez's recent success in that area."
""I've been pleased with him in the run game, especially the last few weeks. I think he's showing up in support and showing a little bit of physicality to that," said defensive playcaller Zak Kuhr, whose unit ranks first in the NFL against the run, allowing 84.7 yards per game."
Demetrice Martin told Christian Gonzalez there would be three defining evaluation areas in the NFL, including a mental commitment to physicality labeled 'contact courage'. Gonzalez aims to meet that standard in an upcoming matchup against the Bengals and receiver Tee Higgins. Coaches and teammates praise Gonzalez's contact courage and recent run-support plays, such as a Week 11 jacked-up tackle that disrupted a Jets sweep. Defensive playcaller Zak Kuhr praised Gonzalez's recent run-game support and physicality. The Patriots defense ranks first against the run, allowing 84.7 yards per game. Gonzalez slipped to No. 17 in the 2023 draft partly due to scouts' concerns about physicality.
Read at ESPN.com
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