Former New England Patriots research director Ernie Adams once compared a good football team to a racehorse with its blinders on, not being distracted by anything in its surroundings and remaining focused on what lies ahead. That description also can be applied to one of the current Patriots’ most promising players.
Four games into his NFL career, Gabe Jacas has had his fair share of impactful moments. The second-round draft pick has registered 1.5 sacks, 10 total quarterback pressures, and an interception.
But as he keeps putting out highlight-reel plays — including running over Pro Bowl left tackle Dion Dawkins last week versus the Buffalo Bills to force a near-safety — he is making sure not to stray from course. His blinders are staying on.
“I feel like a lot of people always like to go back and talk about something I did last week. The main thing for me is just focus on this week ahead,” he said at his Gillette Stadium locker on Wednesday. “No one cares what you did last week. This league will sting upon you if you get comfortable and complacent. That’s not something I want to be, complacent or comfortable. I just want to continue to get better and improve.”
Since joining the Patriots, Jacas has done just that.
Arriving as the 55th overall selection out of Illinois this spring, Jacas’ tenure started slowly. He made his lone public appearance in the offseason watching rookie minicamp from the sideline while recovering from hamstring and knee issues. Along the way, contract negotiations also took their time. When he finally signed his deal — a pact that includes multiple protections for the team — training camp was already underway.
Jacas did start on the back burner, and even when he did take the field was not particularly convincing. Looking like the rookie he very much was, his preseason tape was rough and he seemed destined for a minor role early in his career.
And then, he turned it on and has not looked back since. For the 22-year-old, that development was not surprising; he remained confident in his abilities throughout his ups and downs over the summer.
“I always have confidence,” he said. “It’s not just that one play. I’ve always had confidence even coming into this league.”
Jacas’ confidence, and by extension his play on the field, has been an asset for the Patriots this season. He and second-year edge Elijah Ponder have been vital to New England’s defensive success in light of both projected starting edges, Harold Landry and Dre’Mont Jones, missing time due to injury.
But even as the big plays are piling up, Jacas’ main focus is on how he can ensure they keep coming.
“I just continue to improve and that’s what I’m trying to do each week — just improving;” he said. “Not really worried about plays here and there, just improving and try to continue to do what I can to win games for this team.”
