Patriots play Rhamondre Stevenson's favorite scheme

Patriots

The Patriots The running game continues to be a piece in progress six days into training camp.

New England has found an offensive line group with Caedan Wallace, Mike Onwenu, David Andrews, Sidy Sow and Chukwuma Okorafor that it has stuck with over the previous few practices.

Although the defense was in a position to consistently contain the run, Rhamondre Stevenson said he liked the best way things were going.

“It's exactly what I expected, only Day 2 (of practice with protective gear),” he said. “We're still working on our routes and finding chemistry between the running backs and the O-line. I feel like the line did a great job of applying what they learned in shirts and shorts and putting it all together.”

Stevenson said the Patriots' outside zone scheme is comparable to the one he utilized in college at Oklahoma.

“I enjoy it and they train it very well so everyone understands it,” Stevenson said. “I think this should be a good pattern for us.”

“Any running back can benefit from it. Honestly, it's my favorite scheme. Outside zones, I like that and that's what we play. Everyone else in our room seems to like it too, so let's see what we can do with it.”

Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said earlier this week that the defense historically tends to be ahead of the offense right now of 12 months and that he expects that trend to proceed this summer.

Stevenson disagreed with these comments.

“I don't agree with that. I think practice should go back and forth,” Stevenson said. “The offense should get one day and the defense should get another day. It should never be a one-sided practice, meaning the offense doesn't do its job. It should just be competitive. I don't think the defense should be ahead of us in any way. When he says that, I think it means we need to step up.”