New England Patriots: Stephon Gilmore’s struggles a cause for concern
By Gio Rivera
The New England Patriots drop to 2-2 on the season behind a stressful 33-30 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
It’s a loss that can be credited to none other than the under performing and disappointing 2017 New England Patriots defense.
Granted it’s only been four weeks into the season, however is it too early to question New England’s $65 million dollar investment this off-season that is first year corner back, Stephon Gilmore?
It hasn’t been an impressive first four weeks at all from Gilmore, entering his first of a 5-year contract in New England, and after today, his name has been a popular name among Boston sports for all the wrong reasons.
A tough loss to swallow considering the phenomenal and clutch late game performance by Tom Brady, to lift a Patriots defense that had dug themselves into a 14-point trail of Carolina.
Especially when the game is ended by a 48-yard field goal by the opponent.
Now it’s tough to credit a loss to one single player, however the argument can be justified in blaming Gilmore for this Week 4 loss to the Panthers.
Tom Brady and the Patriots offense did absolutely everything that anybody can do in order to get the team back into the game, and did so successfully. In a game where the defense only forced the Panthers offense to a 3-and-out one time. A game in which the Patriots defense allowed Carolina to score a season high, 33 points (previous, 23 vs 49ers).
In New England’s final offensive drive, Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to a game-tying touchdown connection with Danny Amendola, completing a 4th down conversion.
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Brady finished the game completing 32/45 attempts while throwing two touchdowns and totaling 307 yards. This was the 79th time in Brady’s career that he totaled 300 + yards in a game for New England.
A little glimpse of hope
While it was a rough four quarters overall for the Patriots defense, they did come through when it came down to the game deciding plays which became useless due to the two pivotal flags charged to corner back, Stephon Gilmore.
The game deciding one came in the 4th quarter when Panthers quarterback, Cam Newton was brought down in a 4th down play by Patriots rookie, Deatrich Wise Jr. A sack which proved to be meaningless shortly after due to an illegal hands to the face call on Gilmore.
Now questions raise regarding Stephon Gilmore and the Patriots such as, how major of a concern is Stephon Gilmore to the New England Patriots?
Next: New England Patriots: Stephon Gilmore excited to be a Patriot
Gilmore has 14 tackles and 1 interception through his first 4 games in New England, and while it may be early to judge, don’t be surprised to see the second guess questions arise in regards to New England’s signing of Gilmore if he doesn’t step up soon.