Transitioning from the college game to the NFL is hard for a lot of players.
Patriots rookie running back Rhamondre Stevenson acknowledged that when speaking to the media following Thursday’s OTA session, but also said if he and others listen to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels there shouldn’t be any issues.
“The information being thrown at us is a lot more complicated,” Stevenson said. “You’ve got to put a lot more effort into learning the plays and just learning every scheme and what Josh McDaniels is trying to get done. And he’s a genius. So if you buy into what he’s doing, what he’s teaching us, we should be great.”
Stevenson is a bigger back — 6-feet, 250 pounds — but has shown the ability to make an impact in the passing game as well. Right now, the fourth-round pick is focused on learning the offense.
“You’ve got to stay in that playbook or you’ll get left behind, definitely. It’s a lot of information,” he said. “… For me personally, it’s just routes, pass pick ups, run schemes, who the O-Line is blocking on certain plays — things like that. So, I’m not doing nothing but learning, just taking everything in and trying to become a sponge and just soak everything in.”
The running backs room is quite crowded with Sony Michel, Damien Harris, James White, J.J. Taylor, Brandon Bolden along with Stevenson, so he’s trying to learn as much as he can.
“Not only on the field, but off the field things,” Stevenson said. “How to carry yourself, what to be prepared for on the football field, in the classroom, things like that. Just bettering my game, in every aspect.”
It remains to be seen how much playing time the Oklahoma product will get, but if he shows he’s ready, it appears there’s a role for him in the offense.