The New England Patriots in all probability as soon as once more gained’t have a lot illustration on the upcoming Professional Bowl.
Christian Gonzalez may need the perfect probability from the Patriots to earn the glory. However attending to the Professional Bowl is trying like a protracted shot for the second-year cornerback after the outcomes of the primary spherical of fan voting got here out this week.
Gonzalez’s identify surprisingly didn’t even seem among the many high 10 vote-getters on the cornerback spot — Marlon Humphrey of the Baltimore Ravens, Pat Surtain II of the Denver Broncos and Donte Jackson of the Pittsburgh Steelers had been the highest three within the positional group. However the 22-year-old isn’t getting caught up within the lack of recognition.
“It’s what it’s. , the votes are gonna come,” Gonzalez instructed reporters Tuesday, per MassLive’s Karen Guregian. “I imagine it’s simply the primary stretch of voting. I feel there’s some extra voting. If it comes, it comes. If it don’t, it don’t. I’m not too frightened about it. We gotta win. That’s our important focus. That’s our important factor. Win and every part else will observe via.”
Gonzalez seemed the a part of a shutdown nook at occasions this season whereas going in opposition to elite competitors. He leads the Patriots with two interceptions and his 55 tackles ranks third on the staff. Gonzalez additionally has eight passes defended, which solely trails Marcus Jones’ 10.
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The Oregon product, who missed nearly all of his rookie season resulting from a shoulder damage, often attracts the opposition’s high wideout week after week. Gonzalez usually has held his personal in these matchups, particularly in opposition to Ja’Marr Chase and Tyreek Hill.
However Gonzalez’s Professional Soccer Focus grade doesn’t precisely assist his Professional Bowl case. He ranks twenty fourth amongst cornerbacks in whole protection and sixteenth in protection by PFF.
Gonzalez may need to attend somewhat bit longer — along with his talent set it’s exhausting to think about him by no means making it to the marquee exhibition contest — to get his Professional Bowl nod, however he’s wonderful with that.
“It’d be cool. It’d be the primary one,” Gonzalez mentioned. “If it ain’t this 12 months, I’m gonna get it will definitely. At any time when the time comes, I’ll be blessed and completely satisfied to be part of it.”
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The one Patriots participant who appeared within the first go-around of Professional Bowl voting was Bryce Baringer. He ranked third amongst punters.
