The second year of a player’s NFL career is when he’s supposed to get comfortable. It’s not just about learning the playbook. It’s about the paychecks, the bills, the nightlife, the fame and the relationships. If a player has established himself, he forms a routine, and life is a little less complicated. And in the NFL, life can get very complicated.
But Sony Michel doesn’t seem to want to get comfortable in his second season with the New England Patriots.
“You never want to stay the same. … It’s either you’re getting better or you’re getting worse,” Michel told Patriots Wire on Wednesday. “I won’t say (I’m) comfortable, but I know a little bit what to expect. In this league, there’s always new challenges, new things thrown at you, so you never get a chance to be comfortable.”
With the Patriots, that’s especially true. Bill Belichick is known for being a particularly challenging coach, with a demanding staff of assistants. At least publicly, Belichick has been supportive of Michel’s development. Statistically, he has taken a step backward at 3.3 yards per carry compared to his 4.5-yard average a year ago. Advanced stats have shown he’s struggling to break tackles. Game film shows he’s dealing with a porous offensive line. Still, Belichick has praised the way his vision is developing, which seems to be Belichick saying that the offensive line is the problem, not necessarily Michel.
New England got a chance to recalibrate with a Week 10 bye. Michel said he spent that time “focusing on fundamentals: running with the ball, just going back to the basics.” He’s coming off a Week 9 performance, which seemed — at least through the first 20 minutes — like it could be a productive day. He had four carries for 18 yards and a reception for 12 yards. But as the Patriots fell behind, they favored their running backs who have more experience in the passing game: James White and Rex Burkhead. Michel didn’t touch the ball past those first 20 minutes. Why?
“Game plan,” Michel said. “It’s coach’s decision when my number is called.”
The passing game seemed like the place where Michel needed to take the biggest step forward. And perhaps it’s not a big deal that he can’t get past White and Burkhead in that role, because they’re excellent route runners, pass catchers and pass protectors. The former first-round pick, in the meantime, will likely continue to be responsible for between-the-tackles work.
That’s the routine, and apparently, he’s sticking to it — unless, of course, Belichick tells him otherwise. And he’s going to try thrive in discomfort.
“By your second year, you should understand your routine on a day-to-day basis, but at the end of the day, things still change, especially being around here,” Michel said. “So you just have to be ready.”
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