Two Patriots defenders make Bill Belichick’s list of best young players
Keion White and Christian Gonzalez made the 'All-Belichick' team for rookies and second-year players.
Former Patriots coach Bill Belichick announced his midseason ‘All-Belichick’ team for rookies and second-year players during a recent episode of his podcast “Coach.”
A pair of Patriots made the list. Keion White was selected at defensive end, and Christian Gonzalez was selected at cornerback.
White, who posted all four of his sacks in the first two games of the season, was picked alongside Rams linebacker Jared Verse, Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu, and Texans linebacker Will Anderson.
White, a 2023 second-round pick, was the only non-first rounder of that group.
“Setting the edge, being physical in the running game, and keeping the running game from getting to the perimeter is very important,” Belichick said. “These guys all do a great job of it.
“Verse had a lot of production up at Florida State and that’s transferred over. Latu, everybody is worried about the injury. Seems like the ones that are getting hurt now are the ones he hits, and White’s very, very physical. And of course Will Anderson, we talked about him, he’s a great conversation.”
Belichick praised White for his versatility. The Patriots have moved him around at different spots this season.
“Latu and Keion White for sure can move down in there, rush from a three-technique and play the diamond or a bear front that teams are playing,” Belichick said. “So, there’s some real versatility there as well, as just great solid production, and these guys are just going to get better.”
“They’re hard to block, they’re already getting some double-teams, some chips from the tight-ends, some game planning to handle these guys especially Anderson obviously, but this is a good group.”
Belichick picked Gonzalez along with Joey Porter Jr. and Devon Witherspoon at the cornerback spot. Witherspoon made the Pro Bowl as a rookie last season. Porter, the son of two-tome first-team All-Pro linebacker Joey Porter, finished seventh in the AP’s Defensive Rookie of the Year voting last season.
Gonzalez has bounced back after an injury cut his season short last season. He has 40 tackles and an interception in nine games.
“Turning the ball over is important,” Belichick said. “The ball skills from Porter, Gonzalez, Witherspoon, if you make a bad throw those guys will make you pay and turnovers are what wins games. Those are really the important plays in the game and those guys can all make them.”
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