Patriots: Coaches implement new ball security drills after 5 turnovers vs Steelers

FOXBOROUGH – After five turnovers, something needs to change for the Patriots.

That’s why coaches changed things this week in practice.

Under Mike Vrabel, the Patriots have practiced ball security drills. Assistant coaches have worn boxing gloves and physically tried to punch the ball away from running backs. Position coach Tony Dews even has a long pole with a helmet attached, and he uses that to try to dislodge the football from his player’s arms.

On Wednesday, the team brought out a series of new drills to help their running backs following fumbles by Rhamondre Stevenson (two) and Antonio Gibson (one) against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“When something like that happens, you get a whole bunch of new stuff. We’ve got a whole bunch of new drills yesterday,” Gibson told MassLive. “That’s what comes with it. It’s our error, so we’ve just got to take it on the chin and whatever they put in front of us, we go through it, accept it, and learn from it.”

Gibson and Stevenson said the series of new drills was helpful. When asked about their favorite, the two veterans said the same thing.

In Wednesday’s practice, coaches wanted the running backs to simulate getting low to the ground while having a defensive player try to physically punch the ball away from their arms. When the two veterans lost the ball on Sunday, coaches noticed it happened when they were getting low toward the end of their runs.

To work on the issue, the Patriots called upon their linebackers to take part in this drill.

“We had one drill, we had to go over three bags. So, we brought some linebackers over, kind of simulating us going to the ground and stumbling,” Gibson said. “As we’re going to the ground, just reminding us to keep the ball tight as they’re punching. That’s what happens a lot – when you’re getting low to the ground, trying to dive to get those extra yards. That’s when it can kind of get loose. That was a good drill right there.”

Stevenson agreed with his teammate.

“We did a couple of different ball security drills yesterday,” Stevenson told MassLive. “I think they all were good and different. We worked with the linebackers, who actually punched the ball out and worked on that stuff. Getting that work with them was good for us.”

Gibson said he noticed that his teammates arrived at the facility this week motivated. What happened next was a productive practice with players focused on correcting their mistakes from a tough loss on Sunday.

After fumbling just once in 2023, Stevenson fumbled seven times last season. He said this week he’s reminded himself of the success he’s had over his football journey and has stayed confident in his abilities.

“I think it’s 80% that. Just clearing my mind,” Stevenson said. “I’ve been holding the ball since I was 8 years old. It’s just putting that at the front of my mind and coming up with the ball every time.”

Gibson has gone through struggles with ball security before. The running back fumbled six times in 2021. He cleaned that up and fumbled just once the next season in Washington. Last year, he fumbled twice with the Patriots.

“The best of the best do it. It’s not acceptable ever, but it’s onto the next week,” Gibson said. “We both contribute a lot. We both made plays where people were on our side, and mistakes happen. It’s not a victim mindset. Just keep balling. Keep doing what you’re doing and move on to the next week.”