The Patriots and Seahawks open the season with a Super Bowl rematch on Wednesday.
Christian Gonzalez, the Patriots' star cornerback, has returned from a camp injury and practiced with the team. He is still seeking an extension, and on Saturday he gave a vague answer about his Week 1 availability.
“I’m focused on today," Gonzalez said during his news conference when asked if he anticipates playing against Seattle should he still not have a new deal. "Right now, this practice in what, 30 minutes, 40 minutes, worried on that right now. So, we’ll focus on that.”
Gonzalez indeed practiced Saturday, just like he has for all of training camp outside the time he missed due to injury.
He's expressed frustration over the lack of an extension in recent weeks, though, so there is some tension mounting as the sides have struggled to come to an agreement.
Asked if there was momentum to get a deal done, Gonzalez said: "I don't know."
Reporters also questioned if he would consider demanding a trade if he begins the season without an extension.
“I’m here right now," Gonzalez said. "I’m here. Like I said, I’m worried about this practice, focused on this practice. I’ll always be where my feet are and do what I’ve got to do.”
Gonzalez reached his first Pro Bowl last season, contributing 69 tackles and 10 passes defensed for a New England defense that ranked fourth in points allowed. He turned it up a notch in the playoffs, recording an interception, a sack and a league-leading seven passes defensed.
The Pats picked up his fifth-year option following the breakout campaign, though Gonzalez made his desire for an extension clear by skipping voluntary organized team activities. Shortly after Gonzalez and the rest of the Patriots reported to training camp, team owner Robert Kraft publicly stated New England had offered the cornerback the largest contract in franchise history.
Regardless, no such agreement has come to fruition.
Gonzalez's cornerbacking counterpart, Devon Witherspoon, notably became the highest-paid CB in the league after receiving an extension from Seattle on Aug. 15, setting a $33 million-per-year bar that Gonzalez is presumably aiming to match or exceed.
With four days left until the season opener, it remains to be seen if the Pats and Gonzalez can work out an extension, and if there are any repercussions should they fail to do so.
Source: www.nfl.com — Read the original article
Leave a Comment