Patriots Gridiron News: 3 defensive players who must step up vs. Lions
Eric Rowe has something to prove
One of the scapegoats of the Week 2 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars was Eric Rowe.
After allowing big plays to Keenan Cole, Rowe was benched in favor of veteran cornerback Jason McCourty. In allowing three caches for 69 yards, the fourth-year defensive back knows he has to be better to retain his role on the team.
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"“I’m pretty critical of how I play,” Rowe said Wednesday following practice. “I know how I need to play, what my standards are and, obviously, last week, that’s just not the type of player I am. It just wasn’t me.”"
While he won’t allow or make any excuses for himself, one of the big plays he gave up was a one-handed catch that made Cole look like Odell Beckham Jr. Those types of plays happen, but the 24-yard touchdown reception he gave up was the greater concern.
If Stephon Gilmore does his part, whoever plays the No. 2 corner role for the New England Patriots will be targeted. That could very well be Rowe, despite uncertainly on whether he will even start the game. It is also possible he plays some safety in place of an injured Patrick Chung.
In that case, he will play a pivotal role in matching up against tight end Luke Wilson. To sum it all up, Eric Rowe must step up and make some plays in this game. If he allows more big plays, he can find himself deep in Bill Belichick’s doghouse.