NFL
Christian Gonzalez flashed the “give me the money” signs at the Celtics game in April. Then, he begged the Patriots to sign him while holding out during joint practices. Now, he is out for the biggest game of the season against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday with a shoulder injury. With $100 million guaranteed, he couldn’t care less if he plays hurt now or not. The only reason he played in that Seattle Super Bowl was to get paid. For him, winning games for the Patriots comes second — it’s all about himself and his agent.
The Patriots have gotten off to a rocky start, especially offensively, and Gonzalez has missed some key interceptions over the last three weeks. He missed at least two in the Seattle loss, and he was high-fiving after breaking up a play in Jacksonville last Sunday, even though the team was down 28-3. Big deal — you’re down 28-3 to the Jaguars and playing Buffalo next week, while the quarterback is pretty much lost out there. But you don’t care because the Patriots paid you $100 million guaranteed. Just rehab the shoulder, skip the Bills game, then sit out the Raiders game. Just take off the Buffalo game — who cares if you go 1-3? You’re still getting paid.
It would’ve been different if he was dealing with an injury and they gave him a shot to play on Sunday, then let him take a few weeks off if he wanted — honestly, they have an easy schedule in October: the Raiders, Browns, Jets, Dolphins. I know the Raiders and Browns are good, but those are more beatable than the Buffalo Bills. He could’ve played Sunday, but he’s just being difficult.
Christian Gonzalez is All Bout Himself
Mike Vrabel said Friday,
It would be one thing if he didn’t play this game during training camp. He knows how the Patriots operate — they’ve been doing it for years. Yeah, he deserves a second contract; however, he doesn’t care about the Patriots or winning football games. He only cares about being the highest-paid cornerback in the league—a big deal at $100 million.
I can tell you right now that Ty Law was a better cornerback than he is. Maybe that’s the problem with the Patriots right now: everyone is just in it for themselves instead of what’s best for the team.
What’s best for the team is having Gonzalez on the field for Sunday—a division game against the Bills in Buffalo, where you went in primetime last year and won. Buffalo is looking for revenge, especially after the Patriots won the division last year, and your cornerback can’t play because his shoulder hurts after signing a $100 million guaranteed contract. Unbelievable.
