Why DeMario Douglas Sees Patriots Cornerback As ‘Silent Killer’
It's different for DeMario Douglas to go against Christian Gonzalez in New England Patriots practice.
And it's not just because the second-year slot receiver is battling a cornerback who typically plays on the outside and has the size advantage -- nearly every NFL defender will be bigger than the 5-foot-8, 192-pound Douglas.
Douglas usually engages in playful trash talk on the field, but that chatter doesn't exist when he matches up against New England's No. 1 corner.
"That's my boy. He quiet," Douglas told reporters following practice Thursday, per team-provided video. "So, I'm the one who'll be like, 'Talk. Talk.' Just to make him play. It's great work. Good on good. I love going against Gonzo. A lot of DBs talk. He don't talk. So, I've been trying to get him to talk sometimes. But he makes me work."
Despite Douglas trying to get Gonzalez to throw around verbal jabs after plays, the wideout has been unsuccessful in his attempts with Gonzalez never saying anything in response.
"He might push me," Douglas said. "That's what he'll do. That's him talking."
It's a big season for both Douglas and Gonzalez as the Patriots look for them to emerge on either side of the ball. More pressure just might be on Gonzalez, a 2023 first-round pick, after he flashed his potential as a shutdown corner in four games last season before sitting out the remainder of the campaign due to a torn labrum and dislocated shoulder.
Douglas will look to see if he can ascend to another level after a solid rookie season in which he totaled 49 receptions for 561 yards. He'll also try to get into the end zone this season after not recording a single touchdown in 2023.
Douglas and Gonzalez will be critical to the Patriots if they want to get out of the basement of the AFC. But there's no doubt they will go about their business on the field in different ways.
"A lot of DBs talk. But going against Gonzo, you'll be like, 'Why you not talking?'" Douglas said. "He's a silent killer, for sure."