New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt has to love what he’s listening to from strolling lower back Rhamondre Stevenson.
“I prefer to be the featured returned for the Patriots,” said Stevenson in an interview with the Boston Globe’s Nicole Yang.
Stevenson, who will flip 26 years historical on February 23, confirmed he ought to deal with an every-down function over a 17-game sample in 2022. Wrestling away the majority of going for walks back snaps from Damien Harris, who because of this left for Buffalo in free agency, Stevenson rushed 210 instances for 1,040 yards and 5 touchdowns while including 421 yards as a receiver.The 2023 season, however, relatively resembled the 2021 campaign, when, as a rookie, Stevenson played 2d fiddle to Harris. This time, he shared the workload with veteran Ezekiel Elliott.
Stevenson, who missed the ultimate 5 games due to an injury, carried 156 times for 619 yards (4.0 ypc) and 4 touchdowns in what was his third pro season considering the fact that being drafted in the fourth round out of Oklahoma. After signing as a free agent in the summer, Elliott seemed in all 17 games on the way 955 scrimmage yards. He ran for 642 yards on 184 contains (3.5 ypc).
The hard-running Stevenson, who admittedly “love[s] taking part in all three downs,” has been on the field for an common of two out of each and every three offensive snaps over the past two seasons.“The significance of being in the sport and getting a grasp of the game, just power after drive — no longer one power on, one power off. You can’t get hot like that. All jogging backs know that. You can’t certainly get hot like that,” stated Stevenson by way of the Boston Globe.
Stevenson seemed to warmth up heading into the stretch run but a bum ankle ended his season prematurely. He won 85 yards on the floor and totaled 100 yards from scrimmage in each of the three video games directly prior to his Week thirteen injury.
The dynamic ball provider is inclined and able. Now, it’s Van Pelt’s job to let Stevenson cook in the hopes that a healthy, reinvigorated walking recreation can assist elevate what has been a paltry passing offense.