FOXBOROUGH -- Shane Vereen, James White and Damien Harris are three Patriots running backs who essentially red-shirted their rookie seasons, and it seems Rhamondre Stevenson may be next.
The Oklahoma product was selected in the fourth round of this year's draft and based on running backs coach Ivan Fears' comments Wednesday, Stevenson could likely benefit from some extra coaching.
Fears was asked what Stevenson could improve on this summer.
“Everything,” he said. “Everything. What do I like about him? He’s here. I like that he’s here. Other than that, everything’s got to improve. That’s what we have to get done. He’s got a lot to learn. He’s talented, we’ll see what he can do in the games, but right now, he’s got a lot to learn — a lot to learn.”
Not exactly a glowing compliment, especially a year after Fears was raving about undrafted rookie J.J. Taylor.
Stevenson ran over cornerback Myles Bryant Tuesday on the first day of pads on one play in 11-on-11 work, but that didn't impress Fears all that much.
“But that’s the easy stuff,” he said “Putting the ball in his hands and telling him to go, that’s the easy stuff. But our game is a hell of a lot more complicated than that. There’s a lot out there going on that he’s got to figure out about pro football, and about being a professional, about making plays, all the aspects of the game. Other than that, he’s going to be on the sideline most of the game.
“Hey, he’s got a lot to learn. He’s got a lot of work to do.”
The running backs room is pretty deep with Damien Harris, Sony Michel, James White, Taylor and Tyler Gaffney.