Patriots Bill Belichick Reveals Training Camp Plan for CB Christian Gonzalez
FOXBORO — As the New England Patriots continue to face uncertainty in their defensive backfield amid the recent legal troubles of second-year cornerback Jack Jones, coach Bill Belichick is focused on developing the crown jewel of his 2023 NFL Draft class.
Selected in the first round (No. 17 overall), Christian Gonzalez has the chance to become the Patriots most versatile, yet athletic perimeter corner since the departure of former All-Pro Stephon Gilmore. Though the Oregon product projects as the team's primary boundary cornerback, Belichick is intent on helping the former Duck stand, before teaching him to fly — a point he made clear during a recent interview with The 33rd Team.
“Most importantly, you bring [rookies] in and let them learn how to be a professional football player and a New England Patriot,” Belichick said.
Statistically, Gonzalez already seems well on his way to becoming a competent pro. He finished his 2022 season with the Ducks having compiled 35 tackles, four interceptions and four passes-defensed. He was also one of college football’s most durable players, starting all 12 games in which he played for Oregon in 2022 — as well as each of the 18 for which he suited up for Colorado from 2020-21.
Still, his value is as much about adaptability and athleticism as it is statistical competence. His blend of both size and flexible movement is already endearing him to Belichick, as well as his coaches in the Pats defensive backfield. Accordingly, New England’s brass has, and will continue to test the youngster’s versatility, from the offseason into training camp.
“We’ll work him at a number of positions, like we do almost all players at this point in time in the spring and then narrow it down a little bit when we get to training camp,” Belichick said. “Ultimately, he’s most likely going to be a perimeter corner but I think there are other situations where he could play inside or could play in the deeper part of the field depending on what the call is or how things present themselves from a game plan structure from time to time.”
While Gonzalez is expected to prove himself useful in numerous duties, he is expected to align along the boundary from the outset of his pro career — He is well-sized at 6-2, 200 pounds, with the height and length to match up against opposing teams’ top receivers on the outside. In a game setting, Gonzalez is arguably at his best in man coverage. However, his ability to maintain eye contact with the quarterback makes him a potential asset in zone, as well.
Though his performance during training camp is likely to be the deciding factor in his role at the start of the season, Gonzalez has already shown enough athleticism and field savvy to ensure that he will be a notable part of their corps of cornerbacks for many years to come.
Although Belichick understandably refrained from providing Gonzalez with an iron-clad vote of confidence, his optimism appears to be a sign that New England has high hopes for its first-round phenom heading into 2023.
“Glad Gonzo was there [at No. 17 in the Draft] ... he’s been great to work with, and we look forward to getting him ready to go for training camp.”
Gonzalez, along with the rest of his Patriots teammates, will next take the field on July 26, when New England holds its first training camp practice on the fields adjacent to Gillette Stadium.
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