Christian Gonzalez's summer season trip led to a rush.
Gonzalez took the NFL area for the primary time Thursday night time when Foxborough repeated the New England Patriots in opposition to the Houston Texans within the 2023 preseason opener. As one of many extra intriguing picks of the primary spherical, with many all in favour of how the bodily linebacker will make a reputation for himself in an undoubtedly stout protection, Gonzalez has a good quantity of hype round him, particularly for a locked-in New England group. within the grey space between playoff competition and full rebuilding.
The latest seventeenth general decide didn't have lengthy to attend for his proverbial “Welcome to the NFL” second: Gonzalez fell sufferer to a receiver-defensive function reversal on the very first play from scrimmage, throwing behind a loaded catcher Nico Collins. on the Patriots sideline after an eight-yard reception.
Gonzalez was formally credited with the sort out, however the optics actually weren't in his favor. He later talked concerning the play with secondary teammate Jalen Mills, who gave Gonzalez's fellow first-round decide CJ Stroud his personal actuality examine that led to New England's solely first-half landing in a 20-9 loss.
“We talked about that first transfer he had on the sideline,” Mills mentioned, per NESN's Zack Cox . “He advised me it woke him up a bit, however he mentioned he wanted it. However I feel Gonzo had a fairly good journey.”
Gonzalez recovered sufficient from his mistake on the subsequent few defensive possessions to lock down his males, earn three tackles and assist drive the Texans into three punts and a fumble by Calvin Munson. Even one other botched effort, a 12-yard landing reception to Steven Sims, provided a glimpse of Gonzalez's vaunted physicality as he compelled a fumble that bounced out of bounds. New England received the ball again two performs later when Munson recovered Davis Mills' fumbled go to Daro Ogunbowale.
In consequence, Gonzalez gave himself a cautiously constructive evaluation, thanking New England's receivers room for getting ready for the pace of the NFL sport.
“It was good,” Gonzalez mentioned. “I had loads of enjoyable going on the market with my teammates and making an attempt to get higher on daily basis and there's much more to study. (I'm) able to get on board tomorrow, watch movie and get again to work.”
“I actually don't suppose I used to be too snug or the sport was too quick,” Gonzalez continued, per Khari Thompson of Boston.com. “I really feel prefer it was a very good studying expertise for me. Like I mentioned earlier than, simply get in there tomorrow and watch movie and see what the coaches suppose and see how we are able to study and develop for subsequent week.”
Gonzalez and the Patriots return to motion Saturday night time in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers (8 p.m. ET, WBZ).
Geoff Magliocchetti is @GeoffJMags on Twitter
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