Mike Vrabel wasn’t in the mood to let Buffalo safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s comments slide.
A day after Gardner-Johnson brushed off New England Patriots receiver Efton Chism III as a practice squad player who happened to make a big play, Vrabel pushed back on his weekly spot on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.” The Patriots head coach was asked about Gardner-Johnson’s description of Chism, even though Chism has been on New England’s 53-man roster all along.
“For a guy that’s been on eight teams in four years?” Vrabel said. “I mean, I guess he knows the drill.”
Gardner-Johnson has spent time with plenty of teams, though Vrabel’s number was off. The veteran has played for seven teams in eight seasons, beginning with the New Orleans Saints and also logging stops with the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears and Bills. His week on Baltimore’s practice squad last season ended with his release.
The jab from Vrabel came after Gardner-Johnson downplayed both Chism’s play and New England’s offense. Gardner-Johnson called Chism “a practice squad player” and said the Patriots didn’t do much beyond that one moment.
“A practice squad player made a hell of a play,” Gardner-Johnson said on Chism. “That’s all I’m going to tell you.
You throw it again he probably won’t make it again... There wasn’t no issue.
They didn’t do nothing crazy. They won the game.
Whatever, they didn’t do s--- better than us. We gotta play better, and they can mark that.
We’ll be back and see them again at the end of the year. So they better have that same energy.
They only put up, what? Twenty-something points?
They barely scored. They struggled all game.”
New England’s offense had been stuck in the mud entering Sunday, with 29 points across its first 30 possessions. Against Buffalo, the Patriots matched that total in a single game.
Whatever else Sunday revealed, it also made one thing plain: the Patriots-Bills edge is still very much there.
In Other News...
Patriots May Have Found An Unexpected Special Teams Difference Maker
In a game the Patriots needed every edge they could find, rookie linebacker Erick Hunter quietly gave them one on special teams. New Englands 29-26 win over Buffalo came with plenty of attention on the usual high-leverage moments, but Hunters work in the third phase stood out as he piled up multiple tackles and logged significant snaps.
For a team always looking for young players who can tilt field position and bring energy to coverage units, that kind of contribution matters. Hunters emergence as a steady special teams piece adds another layer to the Patriots roster depth, and his role in the win over the Bills suggests he may be carving out more than just a temporary job. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Face One Big Week 5 Concern Beyond Drake Maye
The Patriots head into Week 5 with plenty of attention on Drake Maye, but the injury report is creating another layer of concern as they prepare for the Raiders. New Englands offense has been searching for consistency, and the matchup already brings plenty of pressure against a Las Vegas team with its own questions on both sides of the ball. For a team still trying to settle into a rhythm, availability can matter as much as scheme, especially when the Patriots are trying to protect a young quarterback and keep the offense on schedule.
Rhamondre Stevensons status is part of that uncertainty after he was limited this week with an ankle issue following his late exit Sunday. The bigger worry, though, may be on the other side of the ball, where Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis both sat out practice on Wednesday and Thursday. If either cornerback is compromised, the Patriots defense could be tested in a game that already looks like it will hinge on which team handles its own weaknesses better. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Rookie Is Turning A Rocky Start Into A Bigger Role
A rocky start to Gabe Jacas Patriots career has given way to a much more visible defensive role, and the rookie edge rusher has quickly become one of the more interesting developments on a defense dealing with injuries around him. After missing valuable time early because of hamstring and knee issues, Jacas has settled in and started to look like the kind of young player New England can lean on sooner than expected.
The production has followed the confidence. In his first four NFL games, Jacas has already flashed as a pass rusher and playmaker, mixing in sacks, quarterback pressures and an interception while continuing to say his focus is on getting better rather than dwelling on what he has already done. For a second-round pick who arrived with some early frustration, the Patriots now have reason to think the role could keep growing. [Read more 🡒]