New England Patriots: 5 players who need to win fans over in 2018
With the 2018 NFL season upon us, the New England Patriots motto “Do Your Job” will be echoed more than any other season. Here are five players who will have to do their job and win fans over throughout the season.
The 53-man roster is set and the New England Patriots are preparing for another season of dominance. But in order to continue their winning ways, each player has to do their jobs, especially entering a season in which the team has question marks in all phases of the game.
Defensively, the team will be looking to replace the production of Malcolm Butler. Who will secure the No. 2 cornerback role behind Stephon Gilmore?
Offensively, which playmakers will step up and become Tom Brady’s new favorite target? Furthermore, who replaces the stability of left tackle Nate Solder?
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Those are just a few questions that will need to be answered rather quickly in order for the team to have a successful season. You better believe New England Patriots fans will focus on a few players if things don’t go well.
With the team trading unpopular safety Jordan Richards and cutting Cyrus Jones and Mike Gillislee, a few of those scapegoats are now off the team.
But, there are five players on the current roster at key positions who will have to more than do their jobs to win fans over in 2018.
The veteran leadership of Jason McCourty
Signed to a one-year deal in the offseason, veteran cornerback Jason McCourty joins twin brother Devin McCourty in the New England Patriots defensive backfield.
After playing the majority of his career with the Tennessee Titans, the 31-year-old cornerback has established himself as a solid, reliable cornerback. That experience and his relation to Devin didn’t guarantee a roster spot however.
In fact, McCourty showed some struggles in the preseason that had him on the roster bubble. It was his play at safety that may have won him a position with the team. In proving his versatility, Jason McCourty will have the opportunity to contribute in different positions on the field and in multiple packages.
However, if some of those struggles he showed in the preseason spill over into the regular season, fans will quickly wish there was just one McCourty on the field.
In summary, it may be how Jason McCourty handles the tough Boston media and the pressure of playing with a winning organization that ultimate decides his success or failure in New England.