On Monday afternoon, one of the newest Patriots’ offensive weapons Antonio Gibson met with the media for the first time virtually.
Gibson is clearly excited to join the organization and feels like a fresh start in New England was exactly what he needed right now.
“Much respect to Washington, they gave me my opportunity and I’m forever thankful, but I feel like a fresh start was needed,” he said. “Things kind of went a little South for me…I felt like I was still able to play and things didn’t work out that way. No disrespect to anybody, but I feel like here, a fresh start, new faces, just to start all over in front of new coaches, prove myself again and get out there and compete with the guys.”
Gibson (seemingly) was signed to fill the James White role as the primary pass catching back on third down, but when asked if that’s what he joined the team for, Gibson pointed out he’s got some other skills that could be useful for this Patriots offense.
“I’ve been playing receiver my whole life,” he said. “It wasn’t until the league that I got officially moved to running back and then having to dive deep into learning blocking schemes and you know, pass pro and things if that nature….I can be lined up outside and still run routes. I got a lot of the basics down, just kind of instilled in me.
“If we get to work on some things like that, I would love to do that and help out, and then I can catch out of the backfield. Who’s to say…a lot of guys can catch out of the backfield, but I feel like where it separates is I can line up outside and run routes. I feel like that’s where the advantage comes in.”
Gibson was asked if he’d spoken with fellow running back Rhamondre Stevenson and he pointed out the two of them had a similar path to the NFL.
“I hit him up. I think I seen…somebody made a post that he was from JUCO too. I hit him up and asked him what JUCO he went to and he asked me if I was a JUCO guy and said ‘much respect,” he explained. “It’s a respect thing from that JUCO level, taking a harder route. Not saying we didn’t want to be there, we didn’t have to be there, but situations caused us to be there. It’s not easy. It’s not an easy route, so anybody that goes that JUCO route, they kind of understand.
“Much respect to him. I love his game. I remember when we played against him – last year if I’m not mistaken – he hit the sideline and took off for like 60-70 yards. So, you know, much respect to his game. Great running back and I can’t wait to go to work with him, for sure.”
Gibson also said his first impression of the organization and Mayo was a big selling point joining the Patriots.
“I came in to talk to everybody and I felt the energy, it was a good vibe,” he added. “We just started off on good terms…I sat down with (Mayo) and we had a good conversation. Definitely a different vibe from a head coach, just from the one day I met him. Nothing against Coach (Ron) Rivera, but sat down and just having…just a different conversation. He (Mayo) didn’t…not to put him under…but it didn’t sound like a coach. He sounded like he was talking to one of the guys. I feel like that’s something that might be a positive thing in the locker room, for him to be able to relate and communicate like that and kind of understanding both sides of it.
“Also, he showed my daughter a hell of a time. Brought her to the office and just treated her with love and I appreciate that for sure, especially the first time meeting him.”