For the Patriots , what began as a summer of promise and good feeling has dwindled a bit in recent weeks, not just because of the lopsided score against the Giants in the final preseason game or the lackluster showings by quarterback Drake Maye in those games.
No, it’s been the realization that the talk of 11 wins and a run at the AFC East was likely premature and the hard facts that coach Mike Vrabel can’t, in the term of a few short months, fix what’s been five years of malfeasance and poor drafting by this franchise. There is a decided lack of depth on this roster, and even some veterans we thought we knew–Kendrick Bourne, Jabrill Peppers–apparently were not up to snuff.
And now, there are injuries, one of which could well drag into Week 1 and perhaps beyond. That’s the hamstring issue that cornerback Christian Gonzalez suffered early in camp, which has lingered a lot longer than originally expected.
Christian Gonzalez Trying Not to Be ‘Frustrated’
Gonzalez, to be clear, is one of the best players on the Patriots roster, and ranks among the best corners in the game. He had two interceptions in 16 starts last year and allowed a quarterback rating of just 71.7 on passes thrown his way.
The hamstring was not expected to last all through camp–but it did. Now, coach Mike Vrabel says there is no timeline on Gonzalez’s return and the goal for both the Patriots and Gonzalez is to avoid being “frustrated” with the slower than expected progress.
“He’s working hard and trying to improve, and he wants to be out there,” Vrabel said. “I think what’s good for us and for Christian and the team is to try not to be frustrated. Obviously, those things happen, and it’s how we respond to them. It’s how hard we work to get back, the communication, all the things that he’s doing. So, just continue to work hard to get back and try to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to help him.”
Patriots Being Cautious
Vrabel said Gonzalez is trying to get on the field and did not rule him out for Week 1 but was cagey when asked if he had a setback as he has been recovering from the injury. It certainly does not sound like Gonzalez will play, though that is speculation at this point.
“It just hasn’t gone â again, he’s working hard, and whether it’s â again, we can say one injury is going to be three-to-four weeks, one is going to be one-to-two. Everybody heals differently,” Vrabel said.
“So, just making sure that when the players are back that they can do their job with confidence, that they can protect themselves on the field, and that they can’t make it any worse. Those are some things that I try to use as guidelines for when players are ready to play and get back there.”
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