FOXBOROUGH – Christian Gonzalez makes a living off shutting down opposing No. 1 receivers. Stefon Diggs makes a living off beating No. 1 cornerbacks.
It was only a matter of time before the two teammates helped each other.
That’s exactly what’s happening. Gonzalez, the team’s top cornerback, revealed that during the Patriots dramatic win over the Buffalo Bills, Diggs approached him on the sideline and offered advice.
The veteran receiver lets Gonzalez know what he’s seeing from the receivers on the other team. The cornerback does the same for Diggs.
“It’s awesome. I ask him so many questions. We talk during the games,” Gonzalez said. “He’ll come up to me the way a corner play and I’ll come ask him about how a receiver played, so it’s huge. It’s a lot for me as a corner. He’s one of the most competitive people I’ve met. He’s also a great person, a great teammate. He cares so much. A great leader.”
On Sunday, Gonzalez was targeted four times by Bills quarterback Josh Allen. He allowed one catch for 23 yards and had a big pass breakup in the fourth quarter. The cornerback missed the Patriots’ first three games of the season. He returned in Week 4 against Carolina, where he allowed four catches on four targets for 31 yards.
In Buffalo, Gonzalez said that Diggs came up to him in the middle of the game on the sideline to offer advice.
“He was telling me to go be me. Just go be me. He was preaching that to me,” Gonzalez said. “He’s always there. He’s a great teammate. Always looking out for everybody and supporting everybody.”
For Diggs, the relationship is mutually beneficial. He watches game tape of the opposing team’s cornerbacks every week, but noted that Gonzalez has a different view of the situation.
The veteran said he’s always been willing to help out the receivers on his teams throughout his Pro Bowl career.
“I know as a DB you’ve got a different point of view or scope on things, so for me, talking, give him anything that will help or even vice versa,” Diggs said. “Like, I’ll go to him and be like, ‘If I’m attacking a guy’s leverage or doing XYZ, what can I have a plan for?’”
Added Gonzalez: “He just came up and asked about DB play, and I tell him certain things about it. We just talk ball. It’s great. I learn a lot from him.”
Since Gonzalez’s return to the Patriots lineup in Week 4, Diggs has had back-to-back 100-yard games. The receiver has 16 combined catches for 247 yards over the last two weeks.
“I believe Gonzo is one of the better DBs in the league. I’m always open to learning,” Diggs said. “If I can do the same for him, I’m always going to give him a little gem here or there, especially since I’ve been in the league for a little while and I watch guys for the most part. I don’t overly watch guys, but I can figure it out as I go. If I see it on tape, I’m going to drop a gem or two.”
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