FOXBOROUGH – Christian Gonzalez established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL last season.
After earning Second-Team All-Pro honors, Gonzalez is back to where he left off.
That’s why, after the Patriots wrapped their second day of OTAs, this defensive back was in good spirits as he walked off the practice field. On Tuesday, Gonzalez was the start of the day after intercepting Drake Maye twice in the quarterback’s first seven pass attempts.
“Yeah, got two off of him,” Gonzalez said smiling.
After a shortened rookie season, Gonzalez came back with authority last season. The second-year player started all 16 games played, finishing with 59 tackles, two interceptions, and 11 pass breakups. Gonzalez excelled in man coverage, frequently blanketing the opposing team’s top receiver.
That performance earned him All-Pro honors. On Tuesday, he showed everyone that he didn’t rest on his laurels.
On Maye’s fourth pass of competitive 11-on-11 drills, Gonzalez jumped in front of DeMario Douglas for what could’ve been a pick-6. On the next series, Maye challenged Gonzalez with a deep pass attempt to rookie receiver Kyle Williams. The throw was too far for Williams, but not Gonzalez as he made his second interception of practice.
“It was two different coverages,” Gonzalez said. “Both were I got to see the quarterback. So, I mean, that helps as a (defensive back). Saw the ball and went and (it was) go and get it.”
Gonzalez was targeted four times in Tuesday’s practice. He gave up one catch where he blanketed Javon Baker, but the receiver made an incredible catch on a deep Maye pass.
After practice, Gonzalez said he still feels like he has a lot to prove but is enjoying being back in New England.
“It’s fun to get back out here. Fun to be back on the grass,” Gonzalez said. “This is what we all love to do. So, just getting back out here, playing football again, being around the guys is a lot of fun.”