Patriots’ new pass-rusher could bolster Mike Vrabel’s defense with breakout
FOXBORO For someone working on their birthday K Lavon Chaisson seemed to have gotten his wish The Patriots took it easy Friday Head coach Mike Vrabel led a -minute walkthrough where players did not run or compete after two days of practicing under a hot sun In fact they wore sneakers ballcaps and bucket hats while pacing through drills Chaisson though wasn t satisfied The newly minted -year-old spent minutes this instant after practice working with coaches behind the Patriots practice field He sweat through his entire undershirt and shorts dripping by the time he walked over for a brief interview with reporters Why I do understand that it s a blessing to be here I don t take that for granted Chaisson announced Friday I ve been on the injury side I ve been on the side of not being able to be on a company before Any chance I get to lace up put a jersey on have a logo on my helmet and a name on the back of my jersey I just try to give everything I got I let everything else play out What s played out since Chaisson inked a one-year million contract in free agency is a little bit of everything The former first-round pick now entering his sixth NFL season has recorded a sack and taken a handful of reps with Vrabel s top defense during training camp He s also played with the backup units consistently aligning on the edge as the pass-rushing threat he at last seemed to become late last year Over his final six games in Las Vegas Chaisson recorded four sacks That total matched his total over his first four seasons when he toiled away in Jacksonville and earned the unofficial title of draft bust But as a -year-old entering the league Chaisson had a lot of learning and emerging to do Now stronger and wiser he sounds ready for more I think I ve got a lot left to show he noted Sought about Chaisson s untapped probable Vrabel seemed to agree with the idea Chaisson could totally be a late bloomer I think that s seemingly a good way to look at it he reported It takes specific players a little longer than it takes others and I would say that I m hopeful that his best football is in front of him I m very excited about how he came in personality-wise and what he s shown on the field thus far So that s an gripping fun room to be around Related Articles How Drake Maye has surprised impressed his new Patriots center Patriots young defender excited to play with violence in new defense Patriots tease new Rivalries alternate uniform reveal debut date Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte looking to build on last season s improvements Mike Vrabel shares updates on two injured Patriots receivers If Chaisson can develop into the member scouts deduced he would become in then a wildly talented but raw pass-rusher from LSU the Patriots can count on at worst a solid rotation of edge defenders Chaisson Harold Landry Keion White and perhaps fifth-round rookie Bradyn Swinson or veteran Anfernee Jennings If not the Pats will be forced to rely heavily on stud defensive tackles Milton Williams and Christian Barmore if they want to apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks As for Chaisson his focus remains on what s in front of him the small strategies that led to a late-season breakout in Year and could bring a big leap in Year Just keep staying the curriculum Honestly man I can t really tell you if it was really too much different last season but just keep doing my thing Just keep playing and keep balling he commented And obviously I think I carry a motive and just like to keep my head down and honestly keep working And then whatever the product is the development is But I know for sure that I did my part
