New England Patriots: Stephon Gilmore happy to be winning
New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore is happy about how much winning the team is doing.
The New England Patriots spent a lot of money in free agency to get cornerback Stephon Gilmore away from the Buffalo Bills. However, there has not been much for Gilmore to be happy about thus far in Patriots tenure outside of the paycheck he has been receiving.
Gilmore was ridiculed early on as the Patriots pass defense started the season off poorly. New England allowed at least 300 yards passing their first six games of the season. Gilmore, the high-priced free agent, received a brunt of the negativity.
As if his play wasn’t poor enough, Gilmore then suffered an injury. Gilmore battled a concussion and ankle injury, which held him out of three games. Coincidentally, that is when the Patriots pass defense began to pick things up.
Following a matchup with the New York Jets, in which Josh McCown surpassed 300 yards, the Patriots defense really began to step up. Gilmore was sidelined for the resurgence, along with Eric Rowe.
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With so many injuries, the Patriots turned to Johnson Bademosi and Jonathan Jones. Both played well, as some questioned whether Gilmore would regain his starting spot. Bill Belichick does not care how much money you are making, just that you are producing on the field.
Not only did Gilmore retain his starting spot, he played well against the Broncos. Matched up with Demaryius most of the evening, Gilmore did well limiting him. Thomas caught five of eight targets for 44 yards and a touchdown. Limiting the big plays from Thomas is important, and Gilmore was able to do that.
Gilmore experienced a lot of losing earlier in his career with the Bills. The Patriots are 7-2 now, something that he commented on following the victory on Sunday Night Football.
"“I’ve never been 7-2 in this league. It’s crazy,” he said, a reference to his previous five years with the Buffalo Bills. “Oh man, we just have to keep it going. I haven’t won in my whole NFL career, so it feels good.”"
The Patriots have a winning culture over the past 20 years unlike any other team in the NFL. That was part of the allure for Gilmore in signing with them as a free agent. Those winning ways have continued, as the Patriots are tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers atop the AFC.
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Gilmore is looking to be finding his stride, which is good news for the Patriots. They were able to begin turning around their pass defense with him sidelined. They are hoping he can help take it to another level to help offset other injuries on the defensive side of the ball.