Jalen Ramsey has been talking since the Jaguars finally won a playoff game last year. Losing to the Patriots in the AFC Championship game did not slow him down, as he basically went at the entire league in the offseason. Before the game last week, he said that if Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill wanted that “smoke” (press man coverage) that it would get there.
This week, the Patriots play the Chiefs and, naturally, there have been questions for the Patriots’ number one corner about both Hill and Ramsey. Stephon Gilmore isn’t a trash talker though – at least that’s what he says. But I don’t know if I believe him after what he said about Ramsey.
He outright refused to say anything negative about Hill, not surprising. But he had some things to say about Ramsey. “It’s his personality,” Gilmore said. “That’s not my style, but I find a lot of guys that talk are mostly zone guys so they have a lot of energy to do that.” Calling a lock down corner a zone player might be the most disrespectful thing you can say, and I freaking love it.
After Ramsey said that Rob Gronkowski wasn’t very good, and that Brady was fine but not great, Gilmore might be taking some shots back. Or maybe he just wants more recognition for what the Patriots have been doing: In the last two games, Gilmore and Jason McCourty have combined to allow only 10 receptions on 24 targets for just 99 yards and no touchdowns. They’ve also combined for 5 pass breakups.
If they keep up those numbers, no one is going to be able to deny that the Patriots field a legit defense, whether they talk about it or not.
Pat is the host of the Weekend Warrior Podcast
Interact with him on Twitter @wtplane