Patriots news & rumors: Stevenson trending up; Chase Winovich trade buzz
When New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson took it to the house for a 91-yard touchdown in the first preseason game against the Washington Football Team, he not only took that LeGarrette Blount comparison to another level, but he also showcased how far he has come since training camp.
In fact, Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears didn’t seem too impressed with Stevenson when asked about him earlier in the month. Yes, he acknowledged the talent of the Oklahoma product, but it takes a lot more to translate that talent to the NFL level.
If the first two preseason games are any indication, Stevenson has learned a few things since training camp. The fourth-round draft pick has looked every much like a steal in the draft in rushing for 193 yards and three touchdowns in those two combined preseason games.
He certainly excited the New England Patriots fanbase, but has he did anything further to impress Fears? Well, sounds like he is getting there.
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"“He has improved his status tremendously from where he was,” Fears told reporters, via NBC Sports. “If you remember, he couldn’t even get started on the right day, he couldn’t quite finish conditioning test. So he started out in the tank. He has climbed out of there.”"
But, has Stevenson climbed his way into some actual snaps in the regular season?
With how he has performed and run the ball in the preseason, the Patriots would be crazy not to get him on the field as much as they can. With Damien Harris, Sony Michel, James White and J.J. Taylor expected to be vying for snaps, Stevenson will have to keep improving and give Bill Belichick, Josh McDaniels and Fears a reason to get him on that field when the games do count.
NFL rumors: Patriots looking to trade Chase Winovich?
Third-year edge rusher Chase Winovich was back on the field during the New England Patriots second preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles and played well despite an early roughing the passer penalty.
While it was good to have the Michigan product with the golden locks back on the field harassing the quarterback, the reality is whether there is a spot for Winovich on the 53-man roster with the addition of Matt Judon, rookie linebacker Ronnie Perkins and the return of both Dont’a Hightower and Kyle Van Noy.
The Patriots certainly have some depth at the position, which could make Winovich expendable prior to his third season in the NFL.
According to NFL Media’s Mike Giardi, Winovich is the most likely player to be traded prior to the season ahead of likely candidates like N’Keal Harry and Sony Michel.
"“I would put Winovich as the first guy who is most likely to be traded,” Giardi said during an appearance on WEEI’s Tanguay & Hart, as transcribed by NESN. “Look, they invested in the position in the offseason, he’s a different guy – I’m not saying he’s a bad guy, he’s not – he’s different. I mean, you saw the postgame press conference, it was bizarre, and sort of declaring that he’s bought in to the Bill Belichick things after – so does that mean he didn’t buy in for the first two years? Because I think we all would all kind of, those around the team, would say, ‘yeah, I’m not sure he was totally on board with how they do things.’…”"
That is an interesting analysis given that Winovich spent some of his second season in Belichick’s doghouse for whatever reason. But what is hard to ignore is that despite the decrease in snaps, he still led the team in sacks.
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With Judon in the mix and a second-year player like Josh Uche coming on strong (if he can remain healthy), Belichick can afford to dangle Winovich on the trade block. A team to watch out for are the New York Jets who are looking for a pass rusher after big money free agent Carl Lawson went out with a season-ending Achilles tear.