Early in his career at the New England Patriots, Devin McCourty went from corner to security. This season, Joejuan Williams is experiencing a position replacement.
Williams hopes it’s probably not the only similarity he has to McCourty.
Speaking Wednesday in a video conference, the second-year Patriots defensive back said he sees McCourty as a style of what he expects as a player and as a person.
“Devin, on and off the football field, is the guy I need to be in the future,” Williams said. “He’s the quarterback of our defensive. Having it there is – betting, I’m just around the corner, keeping My parts tight, knowing it’s back, it helps me a lot because I know it’s going to be at work and it’s helping me play my component a lot better.
McCourty has been a New England high school stalwart since joining the NFL in 2010 He has missed five regular-season games in his career, none since 2015, and has captained the Patriots in 10 of his 11 professional seasons.
The Patriots lost nearly part of their 2019 defensive headlines due to loose agencies, agreements or abandonment of COVID-19, adding security guards Patrick Chung and Duron Harmon, but McCourty remains. a defensive game in 3 games.
Still very much at the age of 33, McCourty had an interception for a landing in the Patriots game in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. The following week, he broke two passes to closed star Darren Waller in a win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
“I love having Devin there,” Williams said. “I hope to be close to liking you one day. “
Williams has a long way to go to suit McCourty, however, he has played a bigger role this season. After playing sparingly as a rookie cornerer, the second-round pick in the 2019 draft now plays a protective role against closed wings.
Williams blocked the Miami Dolphins winger Mike Gesicki in Week 1 and strongly opposed Waller before being sent to the bench after two defensive penalty kicks.
“When we started, when I got hit here, I told the coaches I felt I could play anywhere,” Williams said. “Wherever they want me in this defense, wherever they want me for the team, I feel like I can play at the best school. It’s something I’m proud of, that I’m a defensive runner and can connect and play anywhere.
“I painted during the off-season. I painted around the corner. I painted in security. I painted on nickel, star. Wherever there’s a database in the backfield, I ended up there and discovered paintings. Overall, (I continue)” only to paint and continue to perfect my craft and from there. “
McCourty, Williams and the rest of the Patriots’ best school will face one of their toughest tests of the season this Sunday against Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs.