‘It was awesome’: Patriots LB Josh Uche breaks out with 3-sack game
The New England Patriots completely smothered Sam Ehlinger and the Indianapolis Colts offensive line with a 9-sack performance.
Along with Matthew Judon creating havoc in the backfield, third-year linebacker Josh Uche got into the act with a breakout performance.
In tying Judon with three sacks in the game, Uche gave teammates and Patriots fans a glimpse of what they have been waiting for from the product out of the University of Michigan. He was a Wolverine weaving and cutting his way through the Colts’ O-line with that speed and power he was known for coming out of the draft.
New England Patriots linebacker Josh Uche has his breakout game
Coming into the game with 5 career sacks, Uche nearly equaled that with his performance on Sunday which had teammate Deatrich Wise glowing about the breakout effort following the game.
"“It was awesome. It was great,” Wise told the media. “He’s battled so much to get on the field. He had a great game last week against the Jets, hurt himself again but came back out, had three sacks. That’s awesome, awesome for him, awesome for his career. I definitely was over there like, ‘You have three sacks!’ He was like, ‘Do I?’ I was like, ‘Yes! You have three sacks.’ He was like, ‘Wow.’ He was so shocked and then we confirmed it. I was happy for him. I’m very, very happy for him. I hope he continues to have this same stretch for the whole season.”"
It certainly should be a confidence builder for a young player who has the tools to be something special in this Patriots defense, especially playing on the opposite end of a player like Judon. While the Patriots veteran pass rusher leads the team with 11.5 sacks, Uche looks like he is quickly emerging as a sack specialist.
While it did come against a second-year quarterback in Ehlinger who was playing behind a struggling offensive line, Uche has never had a problem getting to the quarterback. What has been holding him back so far in his young career is injuries and finishing off plays.
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What has been different so far this season?
Well, staying on the field has been a big help, but also sticking with himself and having the confidence in himself to keep battling.
"“I’m just being me,” Uche said when asked if anything has changed. “You know I’m always have faith in myself and even when nobody else believes in me, I kind of always knew what I was capable of. My dad has been a big help for me as well, just keeping that confidence as well, so it’s been great.”"
Faith, confidence, and sacks. Seems like the right formula for success playing for a coach like Bill Belichick and in a defense that is carrying this team.
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In finally living up to expectations (at least the last couple of games), Uche says his performance this season is still being written. As the New England Patriots enter into a bye week, a dominant performance from the defense is exactly what the doctor ordered. Can Uche, Judon and the defense get even better in the second half of the season?
Well, with that confidence building, it will be fun to find out.