Justin Herron will most likely be used as an example at New England Patriots meetings in the coming years.
“Always be prepared. “
Minutes before the New England Patriots’ fourth week game with the Kansas City Chiefs, Herron, a sixth-round rookie team, added to the starting lineup to update the correct shot on Jermaine Eluemunor, who suffers from migraines.
Patriots players are trained to prepare as if they were about to begin.
“It was so fast I couldn’t even perceive it,” Herron said Thursday. “It was just more than one, what we pontificade with the Patriots is that you have to be in a position and do your homework. in the mindset with each and every game that, whatever happens, I’m going to be in a position and it just happens that I had to be in a position that day. wonderful task of making sure I know what I have to do as an offensive young lineman, as a rookie, so with the help of Jermaine, Isaiah Wynn, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Joe Thuney, the list goes on and on and they helped me be in a position to play against Kansas City. So it’s hard to say what I was thinking, it was like, “I’m in a position. I have to go. “
Patriots co-offensive line coach Cole Popovich took aim at his players. Several reserves saw extended playing time as the Patriots’ offensive line dealt with injuries.
“Such an example makes things more genuine for all of us,” co-offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo said Friday.
The sudden rise to an initial role announced in Week 1, Herron’s first game as a pro.
“It was quite fun, the first week of play against the Dolphins, Isaiah and Jermaine said, “Be prepared, whatever happens, be in a position,” Herron said. And I said, ‘OK. ‘ And when they told me I was like, “Okay, I have to be in one position at a time. I have to be in a position. ” So it all comes down to the older players and the coaches, they did a wonderful job. task of putting me in a position, and it is clear that there are still things I have to paint on, but they did well. task. “
Herron, who nicknamed “Contacts” through Cam Newton for his soft hazel eyes (he doesn’t wear touch lenses), had played only 17 offensive shots before Week 4. He ran the distance, betting the 75 offensive shots opposed to the Chiefs and allowing 3 rush, adding a sack.
(While Isaiah Wynn’s left shot allowed Quarterback Brian Hoyer to finish the first half, Herron dropped the one that put the veteran quarterback on the bench with 4 minutes to play in the third quarter. Hoyer kept the ball too long and ran away. . )
Herron had played seven shots as a tight jumbo final and 10 left in the previous take in Week 4. He played the right shot opposite the Chiefs and spent some time on guard in the preseason. He played the left shot in college.
“I feel like when you get into the organization, it’s going to be hard. As a rookie, whatever your role, it will be difficult, as you are a rookie and you are looking to perceive what is going on,” Herron said. . ” But, you know, throughout the spring, the coaches did a smart task by telling me and Michael (Onwenu): “Hey, make sure you know the other positions and get ready. “
“And then I focused on that era before we got here for education camp, making sure I was applying in other positions, and giving me the recommendation they made and telling me I was in a position for other positions, it helped a lot. . Obviously, when you go full speed, it’s hard. It’s hard to replace jobs, but well, that’s why we signed up, you know what I mean?Was it hard? But overall, it helped a lot to know what’s going on in terms of what everyone does in every room. “
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick called Herron’s position flexibility “awesome” this week. It is clear that the coaches enjoyed Herron after overtaking players like Korey Cunningham and Yodny Cajuste on the Patriots’ offensive intensity chart this summer.