FOXBOROUGH – Rhamondre Stevenson is one of the few players who have played in Josh McDaniels’ system.
The Patriots running back told reporters Monday that he knows it cold thanks to how well it was drilled into his head during his rookie season.
“I’d say I’m very comfortable. Just looking back through it, Josh [McDaniels] and Bill Belichick yelled at me a lot my rookie year for this same playbook. So I kind of got it drilled into me. I just need to go over it a little more.”
That year, in 2021, Stevenson rushed for 606 yards with five touchdowns. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry.
At this stage, along with re-familiarizing with the offense, Stevenson is getting himself ready for a season where he’s going to be relied on heavily.
“I feel like Josh has always loved the running back position, he always tried to get us the ball,” Stevenson said. “So just another year of that, getting into the playbook, what we’re doing on each play, each formation how to line up and just the details of each play.”
Asked if McDaniels continues to yell at him about the playbook. Stevenson smiled at first.
“I’m the type of guy that loves to be coached, so I’m never going to get mad at a coach getting on me, and things like that,” he said. “But honestly, not yet. He hasn’t gotten on me, but I’m sure it’s coming soon. I’m just trying to be focused and just trying to be perfect on the field and set a good example for everybody else on the team.”
Stevenson is also trying to do that by keeping the football secure. Last season, he fumbled the ball a whopping seven times.
“The biggest thing is ball security,” Stevenson said. “I’m trying to be good with the ball, 100 percent ball security so we can get some wins under our belt.”
