HC Mike Vrabel pointed out that Rhamondre Stevenson started celebrating by sticking out the ball before crossing the goal line last week:

“We can’t sit there and be careless with the ball… We’re not gonna see it anymore.”

31 comments

  5. JFC, I would expect Stevenson to have a constant dialogue in his head that repeats “protect the football” over and over again.

  7. Understandable to want to nip it in the bud considering Rhamondre has a history of fumbling issues.

    Better this than him dropping it before crossing the goal line like he’s Emeri Demercado.

  10. BB put SO much emphasis on balls security that anyone that witnessed his run should be equally sensitive about players being so casual with the ball. Especially considering Stevenson’s issues with fumbling. Glad that Vrabes has this on his radar, but that’s a freaking fundamental that shouldn’t even be coming up at all.

  11. Why are people mad about this play. He literally scored and nobody was even close to him lol.

  12. One more kitty cat there and Stevenson ‘could’ cough up the ball again. Gotta love vrabel saying we’re not gonna give the other team any advantage there

  13. I would have lost it if he fumbled it before he crossed the goal line. There’s no excuse being careless with the football and show boating during the play.

    Stop being selfish.

  17. Reposting this for the 3rd time this week is ridiculous. Rhamondre had a good game. You people are gonna ruin this shit for all of us.

  18. I didn’t see it as celebrating but reaching out to cross the ball over the goal line, but it wasn’t really necessary either way

  21. I really get the impassion that once some players get down in the red zone, they stop thinking about actually securing the TD and start thinking more about which of their TD celebrations they are going to do.

  23. Non-issue. Drake literally does that every time he runs one in. Seems like a double standard from Vrabel here.

  24. To be fair to Stevenson and his fumbling issues him extending it up and forward like that might have just been an instinct trying to guard from anyone potentially out of his vision trying to punch it out since he didn’t see anyone in front of him. Not like this was a case of dropping the ball before crossing the goal line, he at least took a few strides in the endzone before letting go of the ball

  26. I thought the same thing when I saw it. It’s crazy that ball security is such an issue with Rhamondre. Anybody who’s played ball knows it’s the #1 thing preached to RB from pop warner all the way to the pros.

  27. There used to be a rule on this team (not sure about Vrabel’s feelings) that said no one reaches with the ball for any touchdown. This was because it was drilled into the defense to punch at the ball whenever the opposition does it. I believe it was Edelman who revealed this while talking on his podcast. I might be misremembering who said it.

  28. Belichick even told players this and DMAC was even laughing because everyone on the team knew, “DONT REACH”. You gotta protect the ball no matter what.

  31. Honestly, that’s e-fucking-nuff of Rhamondre Stevenson. The simple fact that he is that stupid and careless, to do that, with all the issues he’s had with ball security, should be the end. I don’t care if Henderson is ready. I don’t care if you have to pick up a FB somewhere to pass block. I, as a lifelong, die-hard Patriots fan, NEVER WANT TO SEE THIS SIMPLETON WITH THE FOOTBALL AGAIN.

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