New England Patriots: Bill Belichick’s love for Rhamondre Stevenson is real

Watch out NFL, Rhamondre Stevenson is coming.  After rushing for 161 yards on Sunday, the New England Patriots running back literally ran through the Detroit Lions and further captured the heart of head coach Bill Belichick.

In a rare outpouring of love, Belichick praised his second year running back in the best way possible following the breakout performance more because of the way he stepped up once Damien Harris went down with a hamstring injury.

"“He does a great job with the ball in his hands.  He is a strong runner, but he can make people miss.  He is a really good football player.  Really a good football player.  So glad we have him,” Belichick said following the team’s 29-0 stomping of the Lions.  “Had a couple of blitz pickup plays right up the middle where he stepped up there.  He is a good all-around back.  Love him. Love him.”"

After going into the Belichick doghouse early in his rookie season, Stevenson has shown consistent flashes of the type of back his could be.  With a strong downhill running style, elusiveness once he hits holes and the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, Stevenson is really emerging as the type of three-down back who could be a real force in the NFL, especially with more runs like this:

In barreling through the Lions’ defense on that play, the burst and power of Stevenson was really on display as he is one of those running backs who refuse to go down and a force in the run game who always finds a way to get the extra yards.  No knock on Harris, but it has been a while since the Patriots have had a back of his capability.  Perhaps all the way back to Corey Dillon.

Obviously in just his second season in the NFL, Stevenson has a way to go before being compared to a running back like Dillon, but the tools are there and so is his attitude and approach to the game.  Stepping up when Harris went down, the young Patriots running back knew he couldn’t have put forth the effort on the ground without his offensive line.

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"“I feel like those guys up front, they led the way, for me and Bailey Zappe today,” Stevenson said following the game.  “Just because of how hard they were moving people, how hard they were working, things like that.  So just those guys up front, I have all the respect for them.  Much love.”"

There was a lot of love flying around that New England Patriots locker room and rightfully so.  Belichick is watching a player he drafted flourish as the season moves forward and Stevenson is seeing the benefit of having an offensive line that is finally coming together.

With the status of Harris unknown, Stevenson may have to take most of the load.  If Sunday’s performance is any indication, the New England Patriots second-year back could be well on his way to a breakout season as an all-purpose back.