Pro football is a game of tradition, ranging from the National Anthem to the victory formation kneel-downs to end games. Within this framework, each team has its own and the New England Patriots are no different.
One of the most notable of the Patriots’ traditions is the coaching staff handing out practice player of the week honors following a victory. Since the Patriots won last week – defeating the Miami Dolphins 35-14 on the road – the team has announced today that it awards the following eight players:
QB Jacoby Brissett
DT Malcom Brown
RB D.J. Foster
DE Geneo Grissom
FB Glenn Gronkowski
TE Matt Lengel
LB Elandon Roberts
OT LaAdrian Waddle
Brissett reportedly worked a lot with newly acquired wide receiver Michael Floyd leading up to the Miami game. As a result he gets rewarded for helping the veteran get up to speed and have a major impact on the game (and Dolphins cornerback Tony Lippett).
Another notable name on the list is Malcom Brown. Typically, starting players are not honored in this capacity, so this could be viewed as a nice bounce-back for Brown. After all, the second-year player was benched the week prior for arriving late to a meeting. Apparently, Brown responded well on the practice field.
Foster and Grissom have been regulars on this list: The rookie running back has won the award for the ninth time this season, while the depth defensive end receives the honor for the eighth time. Gronkowski, Lengel and Waddle all have won it twice prior to this week. It is the second time that Roberts, who played a key role in stopping Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi, is named practice player of the week.
Week 1: RB D.J. Foster, DB Brandon King, DB Jordan Richards, DB Vinnie Sunseri
Week 2: QB Jacoby Brissett, LB Elandon Roberts, DT Woodrow Hamilton
Week 3: TE AJ Derby
Week 5: OG Chris Barker, RB D.J. Foster, TE AJ Derby, DB Eric Rowe, DL Geneo Grissom, DB Vinnie Sunseri
Week 6: ED Trey Flowers, DT Anthony Johnson, RB Bishop Sankey, WR DeAndrew White
Week 7: DT Malcom Brown, RB Tyler Gaffney, OG Ted Karras, DB Brandon King, DB Jordan Richards, and WR DeAndrew White
Week 8: S Nate Ebner, OT Cameron Fleming, RB D.J. Foster, ED Geneo Grissom, CB Cyrus Jones, WR Devin Lucien, LB Trevor Reilly, S Jordan Richards, and WR DeAndrew White
Week 11: LB Trevor Bates, RB D.J. Foster, DE Geneo Grissom, TE Matt Lengel, LB Trevor Reilly, WR DeAndrew White
Week 12: CB Justin Coleman, RB D.J. Foster, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, CB Jonathan Jones, OG Ted Karras, DT Woodrow Hamilton, LB Trevor Reilly, and LB Kyle Van Noy
Week 13: CB Justin Coleman, OG Chase Farris, RB D.J. Foster, ED Geneo Grissom, FB Glenn Gronkowski, CB Cyrus Jones, and LB Barkevious Mingo
Week 14: S Nate Ebner, RB D.J. Foster, ED Geneo Grissom, OG Ted Karras, DB Brandon King, TE Matt Lengel, OT LaAdrian Waddle
Week 15: ED Geneo Grissom, FB Glenn Gronkowski, LB Barkevious Mingo, SS Jordan Richards, OT LaAdrian Waddle, and WR DeAndrew White
Week 16: LB Trevor Bates, OT Cameron Fleming, RB D.J. Foster, RB Tyler Gaffney, CB Jonathan Jones, DB Brandon King, and TE Matt Lengel