Tyreek Hill was impressed by Patriots rookie Christian Gonzalez: ‘He’s actual good’

Patriots

“They have some actual good items over there in New England, man.”

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (6) prepares to tackle Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass.
Christian Gonzalez greater than held his personal towards Tyreek Hill on Sunday. Greg M. Cooper / AP Photograph

Dolphins large receiver Tyreek Hill didn’t make any pals in Foxborough on Sunday by calling out Patriots followers following Miami’s 24-17 win. 

However the four-time All-Professional wideout did have optimistic issues to say about one of many Patriots’ rookies in Christian Gonzalez.

The 2023 first-round choose has put collectively spectacular returns in his first two video games within the NFL. He has performed 100% of New England’s defensive snaps whereas holding his personal in daunting matchups towards gamers like Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and A.J. Brown.

Gonzalez was one of many few shiny spots within the Patriots’ irritating defeat towards Miami. He allowed three catches for simply 32 yards towards Hill and Waddle, whereas additionally reeling in his first profession interception by snagging an under-thrown ball from Tua Tagovailoa that was supposed for Hill.

Hill, who has routinely torched a number of the high defensive backs within the league, favored what he noticed from the 21-year-old Gonzalez.

“I used to be in a position to go towards the rookie. He’s actual good,” Hill stated throughout an episode of his “It Wanted To Be Stated” podcast. “Very prolonged nook. Had some actual good method and pace about him. They’ve received some actual good items over there in New England, man.”

Hill isn’t the primary to reward Gonzalez’s method and refined ability set. 

On Tuesday, former Patriots cornerback Ty Regulation was impressed by how shortly Gonzalez has settled right into a high-pressure beginning function as a rookie, particularly relating to executing in vital moments. 

“Christian Gonzalez, man — that dude. I have a look at the little issues,” Regulation stated throughout his weekly interview on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Present” on Tuesday morning. “Initially he was aggressive, he wasn’t afraid, and on the interception. … He picked it off at its highest level. He didn’t sit there and await it to return down … He went up there and did it basically appropriately.

“He did it on the highest level, giving himself an opportunity to make a play, and he did that. That’s one thing in the course of the recreation that lots of people don’t do. And he’s doing that at such a younger age and being aggressive and working with guys. He’s not afraid and I like him.”

By way of two video games, Gonzalez is at the moment ranked third within the NFL amongst cornerbacks with a PFF grade of 82.6. He’ll face one other robust check in Week 3 towards Jets star wideout Garrett Wilson, who stands as one of many few shiny spots on a New York offense now led by Zach Wilson.