Tag: Gunner Olszewski

Gunner Olszewski explains why he’s staying close to Gillette Stadium this offseason

The third-year punt returner/wide receiver isn’t taking his foot off the gas this offseason.

Gunner Olszewski isn’t entering his third year with the New England Patriots from being a purely talented player.

The gifted punt returner earned every second of playing time following his years as a DII defensive back from Bemidji State. Olszewski has a total of seven receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown with the Patriots, bust most of his production has come from special teams. The 24-year-old was named First-Team All-Pro in 2020 because of his outstanding production — recording a touchdown and a 17.3 yard average per punt.

Entering the 2021 season, he’s not slowing down. According to NESN, Olszewski made a quick trip home to Texas and got an early start back in Foxborough.

“It’s been going good, we’ve got a group of guys up there,” Olszewski said to NESN.com. “Got rollin’ pretty quick. We had a longer offseason cause we didn’t play in January, which is obviously never the goal. You wanna be playing football games into January.

“So, I kinda got rolling in February.”

Olszewski knows his roster spot isn’t guaranteed, so he stayed close to make sure he put in every ounce of work necessary.

“I like being close to work, so I stayed in Foxboro for the most part,” he said. “Took a couple trips, but being around the area reminds me what I’m doing and how I need to work. So, I like to stay close. Just lifting, running, all that stuff you need to do to prepare for a long season.”

Olszewski’s attitude fits perfectly with the ‘Patriot Way.’

“Bigger, stronger, faster — that’s the goal every year,” he said. “It’s fun seeing yourself grow as a player when you work hard. I say, ‘Hard work pays off, but it don’t owe you nothing.’ You still gotta go out there and do it. Just because you worked hard doesn’t mean you’re gonna be successful.

“But it definitely gives you a little jump start. … I’m in good shape and I’m strong, ready to roll.”

Training camp begins next week and the race for the 53-man roster will begin.

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Cam Newton leads work out with several teammates Thursday

Cam Newton took part in another workout with teammates on Thursday.

Cam Newton  continues to work hard over the course of this offseason . Thursday, he worked out with Patriots wide receivers Jakobi Myers and Gunner Olszewski . Working out at the Dexter Southfield school in Brookline, several other individuals took part in the work out as well.

Perhaps the most notable non-football name in attendance was Donald De La Haye, a former college kicker who is wildly popular on YouTube. He goes by the moniker Deestroying.

After taking part several other workouts over the past couple of weeks, Newton has been busy this offseason preparing for the 2021 campaign. He will undoubtedly have the spotlight as he looks to bounce back from a difficult year last year.

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Newton has been trying to get teammates together and get on the same page with them offensively. Workouts like these can only benefit both Newton and the Patriots in the long run.

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Gunner Olszewski’s latest Instagram post shows he’s living the ‘No Days Off’ motto

The wide receiver has one goal in mind per his latest Instagram.

New England Patriots wide receiver Gunner Olszewski is a must follow on social media. Sunday’s Instagram post just proved that.

The Texas native posted an Instagram photo on Sunday that looks like something out of a magazine. Along with his faithful companion Ponyboy, Olszewski posted a photo of the both of them and his truck. Interestingly enough, Olszewski indicated that he would not be back in Texas until next February. Could he be potentially previewing a deep Patriots playoff run?

While we obviously won’t know until next season, it is certainly something fun to think about. There is no doubt that Olszewski will be a huge part of it.

As the AFC East continues to get better and better, New England will certainly have their work cut out for them. In any event, it is safe to say that Olszewski is ready to go.

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Two Patriots players selected to All-NFL team for 2020 season

Jake Bailey and Gunner Olszewski were given postseason honors in what was a difficult year

In what was a difficult season for the New England Patriots, there were some positive aspects to it. The special-teams proved to be an asset for the Patriots, and now two players are getting recognition.

Punter Jake Bailey and punt returner Gunner Olszewski earned spots on the Pro Football Writers of America All-NFL and All-AFC teams. The teams were announced on Monday.

Bailey made a huge impact for the Patriots, as he often put opposing offenses in difficult field position. He averaged 45.6 yards per punt this season, which led the NFL. Bailey was also named to the Pro Bowl

Olszewski proved to be a major asset on punt returns, as he averaged 17.3 yards per run back, which was a franchise record.

Throughout the course of the entire season, special teams remained consistent even as other positional units were struggling. Heading into the 2021 season, both Bailey and Olszewski should figure to be important pieces of the team once again.

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Patriots’ Jake Bailey, Gunner Olszewski named First-Team All-Pros

The young and ascending players earned their first All-Pro honors.

New England Patriots punter Jake Bailey and punt returner Gunner Olszewski earned AP First-Team All-Pro honors for the 2020 season.

The Patriots’ strongest and most consistent group this season was the special teams unit and Bailey had a lot to do with it. Matthew Slater was the only other Patriot to earn the honors and he was named Second-Team All-Pro — his sixth time collecting these prestigious honors.

Bailey was the NFL-leading player in net yards per punt (45.6 yards) and punts inside the 20 percentage (56.4 percent). The Patriots allowed the second-fewest punt yards per return (71) and Bailey was fourth in gross punt average (48.7 yards).

Olszewski, who had an incredible season, led the NFL in punt return average (17.3 yards), punt returns (1) and punt return yards (346). His breakout game was against the Los Angeles Chargers — where he scored the punt return and his first receiving touchdown.

J.C. Jackson will widely be considered a snub, as he was with Pro Bowl honors.

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Here’s Patriots players’ reactions to Julian Edelman’s return at practice

It’s safe to say Julian Edelman brings a much-needed energy to the field.

The New England Patriots needed a spark offensively and they might’ve found it.

Julian Edelman returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since Week 7, where he underwent a knee procedure and was placed on the injured reserve list. The 34-year-old collected 21 receptions for 315 yards in those six games — with a career performance against the Seattle Seahawks with eight receptions for 179 yards.

After 14 weeks of play, Edelman is still the team’s third best receiver in the yards (315) behind Jakobi Meyers (505) and Damiere Byrd (566). His presence has been missed by everyone, but Cam Newton especially. Newton was growing a connection with the veteran and that was quickly taken away.

The Patriots likely won’t make the playoffs, but they can still finish out the final three games with pride. Here’s how three of the Patriots players’ reacted to Edelman’s return, via WEEI.

Gunner Olszewski

I think everybody took note of him. I was talking to him just yesterday, I was telling him, ‘I hope you’re out there.’ It gives us a little spark of energy. It’s Julian. He sets the tone. He’s been set the tone for not on the receiver room, but I think the team, for a long time. Having him out there, I think it brought a little spark back to everybody — a little pep in your step. JE11’s out there. That’s what I told him. I said, ‘It’s awesome having you out there.’

Damiere Byrd

It was great to be able to see somebody like him get back on the field. You never want to see a teammate get hurt. So being able to have him back after a number of weeks is exciting. I know he’s worked his tail off to get back on the field better. So I’m excited to see how he progressed.

Joe Thuney

Jules is a great leader, a lot of energy. So he’s just a great guy to have back. And yeah, I’m glad he’s back.

The Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets are the final three matchups of this unorthodox season.

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Gunner Olszewski has hilarious opinion of best car in a snowstorm

Patriots wide receiver Gunner Olszewski talked about the best car to drive during a snowstorm.

As winter weather begins to occur in New England, New England Patriots wide receiver Gunner Olszewski had a funny take on a certain car that people should drive during the winter, and his trust issues for those that don’t.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, he indicated that if you drive a Chevy, you should be able to get to practice. However, if you drive a Ford, it is testing your luck to say the least. This may be of useful advice to some, as the first major snowstorm of the season begins to make its way over New England in the next couple of days.

As the Patriots get set to take on the Miami Dolphins, the Patriots need to have a good week of practice. Here’s to hoping Olszewski drives his Chevy to the office.

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Gunner Olszewski’s pregame attire is nothing like Cam Newton’s, but here it is

Gunner Olszewski didn’t learn fashion from Cam Newton.

Typically, Cam Newton’s vibrant and unique outfits make headlines ahead of every New England Patriots game.

In Week 14, Gunner Olszewski made the headlines.

Olszewski returned his first punt for a score and recorded his first receiving touchdown in the game of his career last week. He’s an undrafted second-year player who spent his college time at Division II Bemidji State as a defensive back. Following his standout performance, the spotlight was put directly on him.

His pregame outfit ahead of Los Angeles Rams’ game stood out and it wasn’t because it was comparable to a Cam outfit. It stood out because it’s the exact opposite.

Good thing an outfit won’t determine the outcome of his performance.

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Patriots WR Gunner Olszewski named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week

The 2019 DII undrafted rookie is panning out.

New England Patriots wide receiver Gunner Olszewski has been named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after a career performance in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Olszewski, a 2019 undrafted rookie cornerback out of Division II Bemidji State, had three punt returns for 145 yards and a touchdown. Olszewski’s touchdown came on a 70-yard return and he also scored his first receiving touchdown on a 38-yard reception.

Out of the nine games he’s played in this season, Olszewski has averaged 26.9 yards per attempt on nine punts. He’s shaping up to go down a similar path as Julian Edelman and Bill Belichick is cultivating it slowly.

Olszewski fortunately has the 34-year-old around still for advice as well.

After hitting the 51-yard game-winner against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 12, Nick Folk earned this same honor.

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Gunner Olszewski named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week

It’s his first time winning the award.

The NFL announced New England Patriots punt returner Gunner Olszewski will be the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 13.

Olszewski finished the game with a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 61-yard punt return, which helped him tally 145 punt yard against the Los Angeles Chargers in a 45-0 win. Olszewski also had one catch for 38 yards and a touchdown.

There was a dizzying sequence that summed up his performance on Sunday. After Olszewski scored his second touchdown of the game, the receiver and special teams ace was immediately back on the field to cover the kickoff. Even though he’d just amassed 183 all-purpose yards, he still had the legs to get down the field and tackle Chargers kickoff returner Nasir Adderley at the 28-yard line.

Adding on a special teams tackle and an offensive touchdown was a testament to his versatility and widespread impact.

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