Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez tore his labrum in week four of his rookie year, forcing him to be shut down the rest of the season.
Playing 16 games in his second season, the former Oregon Duck was able to cement himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the league.
ESPN has released its annual anonymous survey of NFL executives, coaches and scouts on the top players at each position. The CBs list was released and named the Pats corner at the 6th best at his position.
Here’s what two coaches had to say about Gonzalez:
“I think Gonzo is the next great one,” a veteran NFL assistant said. “Skills, patience, length. He’s the closest thing to Pat [Surtain II]. Smooth, big athlete, travels a lot, can matchup against the best guy.”
“He’ll tackle, but I wouldn’t call him physical,” an NFL coordinator said. “But he’s got the size and coverage skills to put him on the outside and he can handle himself, and he can also come up and play run support and play within the construct of the defense.”
Before the start of last season, Gonzalez was listed as an honorable mention in last year’s survey. The cornerback was a second-team All-Pro last season.
Christian Gonzalez Voted Top 100 Player
GettyPatriots DB Christian Gonzalez
Christian Gonzalez was named one of the top players in the NFL by his peers.
The NFL Top 100 show revealed that Gonzalez was voted as the 84th best player in the league.
“Lockdown corner for the Patriots and a guy who’s a great player,” Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride said on the show. “He has a bright future in this league and I’m excited to watch that.”
McBride said that Gonzalez was someone on the team’s radar when they matched up against each other in week 15.
Gonzalez had 11 pass breakups and two interceptions on a Patriots team that went 4-13 last season.
Gonzalez On Working with New Pats Head Coach
GettyPatriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
The New England Patriots hired former Coach of the Year winner Mike Vrabel to be at the helm of the organization.
The second-team All-Pro player will need to get accustomed to a new coach after the Patriots parted ways with former head coach Jerod Mayo.
“Love playing Vrabel so far,” Gonzalez said when asked about the new coaching staff in New England. “Great energy. Everything you see on TV, that’s exactly what you get. He’ll put on the little 51 jersey, which I thought something he did in the past, but he’ll still do it.”
“He always has great energy. Always smiling. So, I’ve enjoyed it.”
Vrabel will be the third different head coach for the young cornerback since he entered the league.
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