Aug 20, 2023, 10:39 PM ET
Patriots coaches have highlighted the leadership role Ezekiel Elliott has played in his short time with the franchise
How effective the broker stays Ezekiel Elliott When it comes to exploiting the hole remains to be seen, but he decisively hit the ground running in his first week after signing a one-year deal with the New England Patriots. The energy, passion and football knowledge of Elliott they left a remarkable first impression on coaches and peers.
“He’s excited. Everyone in the place is excited,” admitted the running coach Vinnie Sunseri. “It’s brought a bit of energy.”
El head coach Bill Belichick stressed that most of the time Elliott has been working with Sunseri –a former LA safety NFL who is in his third full season in charge of the team’s running backs — with the goal of “catching up on the terminology” of the offense.
Ezekiel Elliott Getty Images
Sunseri shared that Elliott28 years old and the oldest healthy runner with the club — with Ty Montgomery II The 30-year-old absent from the 11-day preseason tour with a left leg/knee injury–has already been a vocal presence.
“He talks to all the guys in the group: how he sees the carries, how he sees the protections. He communicates well. He’s had a bit of a leadership role so far, and we’ll see how that progresses,” he said. Sunseri. “He’s made a lot of these things. He’s made a lot of these things that we’re going to use.”
The offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien added: “One thing you notice right away is he’s smart, he’s been in different systems, he understands football. They might call it apples, we call it oranges, but it’s still football and he gets it. He figures it out really quickly … I do think he’s a three-down running back, and he’s been a very good addition to our football team.”
Sunseri recognized the other runners on the team for helping Elliotta group that includes third-year player Rhamondre Stevensonwho led the club last season with 210 carries for 1,040 yards and five touchdowns.
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Stevenson has become “quite close” with Elliott since they met in 2021 before the victory of the Dallas Cowboys by 35-29 on the Patriots in Gillette Stadium.
“He’s my boy,” she said Stevenson. “The way he runs the ball, his determination, his relentless way; he’s going to give you everything he’s got. I feel like our games will complement each other very well.”
At one point in Thursday’s joint practice with the Green Bay Packers in Wisconsincompanions took note of the jubilation of Elliott. One example came after rookie wide receiver Kayshon Boutte catch a touchdown pass and Elliott run from the bench to celebrate with him.
“That little bit of emotion from someone you don’t really know means they love their team,” the outside linebacker said. Matthew Judon. “I think that Zeke loves football; I believe it with all my heart; you can see it from Ohio State to now.”
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Elliott was observed giving a slap on the back of encouragement to the quarterback Bailey Zappe after an interception, and then was the first to celebrate with zaps after he rallied with a touchdown pass.
Elliott has yet to answer questions from reporters since joining the Patriotsbut that will probably happen this week, since an increase in his workload in training is expected.
He did not participate in Saturday’s preseason game against the Packers. That was not a surprise, after Belichick he was asked where he was Elliott From a physical standpoint: “We haven’t really been training with him. First, he worked with the strength and conditioning group on Wednesday. So here he comes. He’s definitely not there, but we’re getting there.”
Elliott he was one of 22 players with at least 200 carries last season, and his 3.8 yards per carry ranked last of that group. Plus, he was 77 rushing yards short of expectation, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, which was the fourth-worst yards in the league. NFL in back of Leonard Fournette (-135), Najee Harris (-116) y Chase Edmonds (-107).
Those statistics raise questions about how much is left for Elliott in the tank.
A Sunseri asked what they are looking for Patriots to answer those questions.
“I think the ability, one, to see the carries. Two, to go downhill. And, just the mentality to run hard. I think that’s what we’re looking for,” said the assistant coach. “It’s what all the other guys in the group have. And, they can handle charge protection. We like those types of guys, who can do all those things.”
2023-08-21 02:39:00
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