Facing the defending Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots couldn't afford to send all their rookies to take the field in the season opener. Those who did, however, didn't go unnoticed in their limited run.
Of all the first-year players, only pass rusher Gabe Jacas, linebacker Namdi Obiazor, and tight end Eli Raridon took the field. While the stats weren't necessarily eye-popping, the first-timers passed their first test of the season.
When asked about the rookies, head coach Mike Vrabel gushed about the hard work and the little things that don't necessarily pop up on the stat sheet. More than a silver lining after a tough 13-10 loss, it's a path to more playing time.
New England Patriots rookies did more than the numbers suggest
“I felt like some of our young players did some decent things. I know it’s not gonna show up in the stats, but I thought Eli [Raridon] tried to block and tried to battle. He had a few instinctive plays where he was responsible for somebody, and they ran out of there, and he kind of found the next guy who would be coming down into that position.
There were some things that I thought were instinctive. I thought Gabe [Jacas] had his best showing. I thought [Namdi Obiazor] played good on special teams… To be able to get some of those younger players who have never played, and that’s their first game, those are some positive things. I don’t think people realize what that environment is like,” said the coach.
Jacas hit the ground running with three total tackles, two tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, and one sack on 11 pass-rushing snaps, logging three run stops. Raridon, meanwhile, caught one pass for two yards, but it went for the team's lone touchdown.
As the head coach said, Raridon was one of the team's best blockers in the opener. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) gave him a 76.4 pass-blocking grade on 27 blocking snaps.
As for Obiazor, he played only 20 special-teams snaps, but he logged three total tackles (one solo).
Again, it was never about the numbers; it was about putting their heads down and getting to work. Vrabel is a player's coach, and as someone who was there in the trenches, he knows how to dissect intangibles better than most mortals.
The Patriots want their rookies to earn their stripes
Being a rookie on a contending team can be a blessing and a curse. While they get to learn and develop in a winning environment, organizations like the Patriots can rarely afford to let them grow through their mistakes.
Caleb Lomu, Tanner Arkin, Dametrious Crownover, Quintayvious Hutchins, and Channing Canada all dressed but didn't suit up, while fellow rookies Erick Hunter, Behren Morton, and Karon Prunty weren't even active.
It's a tough pill to swallow for some, but everyone will get their chance if they show Coach Vrabel that they can do the little things. Talent may get you on the field, but effort and embracing your role, as small as it might be, will keep you there.
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