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The Jacksonville Jaguars dismantled the New England Patriots on Sunday, shutting down almost every aspect of their team on Sunday. More specifically, the Jaguars defense limited the Patriots passing game to the point that they needed junk yards at the end of them game to pad them up. One player who didn’t get his numbers padded was tight end Rob Gronkowski, in big part because safety Tashaun Gipson, not Jalen Ramsey, was locked on him most of the game.
“I told y’all. The mystery was over. Everyone said who is going to guard No. 87? Just run the tape. I don’t know how many passes he caught on me but zero maybe, Gipson said after the game laughing. “No 3rd and 18s, I guaranteed that so I have to live it. Seriously, it was a huge win for us. It’s exciting.”
Many wondered if the Jaguars would man up Ramsey on Gronk to shut him down, but Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash decided to stick Gipson on him most of the game. Ramsey was matched up a few times when Gronk was out wide, but by and large it was Gipson shutting him down, including forcing an incomplete in the endzone.
“At the end of the day, I really appreciate the coaches putting the confidence in me. A lot of people wanted to see the matchup with Jalen so I apologize I didn’t give them that matchup. The coaches believed in me,” Gipson said after the game when asked how they limited the Patriots offense. “I have never wavered because I feel I have never met a tight end I couldn’t cover. I have been doing this since last year and it’s a matchup I was excited about. He (Gronkowkski) wasn’t excited about it as I was because I am just Tashaun Gipson. You all were pumped for this matchup because I knew what I could do. When you turn on the tape, you can see what it looked like.”
As talented as the Jaguars secondary is, Gipson and Barry Church kind of get forgotten about when we discuss them because of just how good Ramsey and AJ Bouye are. Gipson held Gronk to just two receptions for 15 yards, so let’s give the credit where it’s due.