Mike Vrabel Criticizes Rhamondre Stevenson’s Risky Ball Handling Before Scoring
The New England Patriots secured a victory over the Tennessee Titans last Sunday, marked by a touchdown from running back Rhamondre Stevenson. However, head coach Mike Vrabel expressed his dissatisfaction regarding Stevenson’s handling of the football during the score.
Mike Vrabel’s Concerns Over Rhamondre Stevenson’s Ball Handling
In a review of the game shared on the Patriots’ social media, Coach Vrabel highlighted an important moment. Stevenson was seen extending the ball out in front of him as he approached the end zone, a move Vrabel vehemently criticized. He stated, “What we can’t do is we can’t do this,” emphasizing the risks associated with careless ball handling.
Lessons from Recent NFL Mistakes
Vrabel’s warning comes in light of several costly errors seen across the NFL this season. Numerous players have inadvertently jeopardized touchdowns by mishandling the ball. Notably, during Week Four, Colts receiver Adonai Mitchell fumbled at the 1-yard line, costing his team a score against the Rams. In Week Five, Cardinals running back Emari Demercado replicated this mistake by fumbling away a potential game-winning touchdown in another loss to the Titans.
A Call for Accountability
Vrabel stressed the necessity for the Patriots to maintain control over the football. He asserted that players must avoid giving the opposition any advantage due to negligent play. “We can’t sit there and be careless with the ball,” he stated. “We need to make sure that we’re securing the football.”
Highlighting the importance of discipline, Vrabel insists that every member of the Patriots recognizes the critical nature of securing possession. The message is clear: careless handling of the football will not be tolerated moving forward.
