New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has stuck by running back Rhamondre Stevenson all season, despite some inconsistent play and fumbling issues.
Vrabel’s faith was rewarded in Week 7 as Stevenson broke out for a season-high 88 rushing yards and one touchdown in the team’s win against the Tennessee Titans.
Second-round rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson was barely used in the contest, meanwhile, collecting five yards on two carries while playing just nine snaps.
While Stevenson’s performance was a key part of New England’s 31-13 victory vs. Tennessee, there was one play from the contest that drew the ire of Vrabel.
The first-year coach ripped the former fourth-round pick for how he ran into the end zone on his third-quarter touchdown, saying he was being “careless” with the football.
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“We can’t do this. We can’t sit there and be careless with the football,” Vrabel told Scott Zolak in the film breakdown segment for the upcoming episode of “Patriots All Access.” “We’re not gonna see it anymore. We’re not gonna start doing this. We’re not going to start becoming a team that gives the other team an advantage of whatever may happen.”
Since committing two fumbles in the Patriots’ Week 3 loss vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers and one more in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills, Stevenson has played turnover-free football over the last two contests.
