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New England Patriots Benching Jonas Gray After Showing Up Late To Practice Is Unsurprising

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By @calling_allfans

Jonas Gray

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After the performance Jonas Gray had last week against the AFC South leading Indianapolis Colts, which New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft predicted, it seems unbelievable he wouldn’t see the playing field in Week 12 against the Detroit Lions. But that’s what happened. Reportedly Gray overslept on Friday and showed up late to practice and Bill Belichick sent him home.

That part is very believable. By all accounts Gray is a good guy and teammate, but the Hoodie has rules. And if those rules are not followed, consequences will have to be faced. Belichick has done this before with other players. Earlier this season he sent CB Darrelle Revis home for showing up late to practice. Some coaches would look the other way — Rex Ryan allowed rookie QB Geno Smith to play in a game earlier this season after he showed up late to a meeting because he was at the movies and with the New York Jets on the west coast he messed up the time change.

This wasn’t a division game, or even a game against an AFC opponent, but the Patriots want to keep winning to ensure they secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, even if they don’t necessarily need it. Not every coach would have benched a player who had a performance like Gray did last week with 201 yards rushing. Most players in Gray’s position would have received a slap on the wrist at most and they’d have been out on the field trying to help their team win a football game.

The Patriots didn’t need Gray on Sunday when they beat the Lions 34-9, but just like with Revis, this won’t end up mattering at all. Gray will get a new alarm clock, charger for his phone, whatever he needs, and he won’t show up late again. Belichick will then give him a chance to show his abilities throughout the rest of the season, and even if Gray’s performance against the Colts was just an aberration, the Patriots’ offense has proven they can move the ball and score in a multitude of ways.

Justin Patrick is a New England Patriots writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @calling_allfans, like him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google. You can also email him at [email protected]

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