FOXBORO, Mass. — Like most New England Patriots followers, James Develin couldn’t care much less concerning the Pro Bowl.
Speaking with reporters Tuesday at Gillette Stadium, the veteran fullback mentioned being snubbed from the NFL’s annual all-star recreation final season — regardless of enhancing on his 2017 Pro Bowl marketing campaign in each statistical class — didn’t matter to him.
“No,” mentioned Develin, who misplaced out to Kansas City’s Anthony Sherman in Pro Bowl voting. “No. I was happy to be in the Super Bowl. That’s the real bowl we’re playing for. I didn’t really pay any attention to that. I was just happy to be playing in early February.”
Develin performed an important function within the Patriots’ run to Super Bowl LIII, throughout which the crew morphed right into a power-running outfit centered on bullying opposing defenses up entrance. New England rushed for eight touchdowns throughout its three postseason victories, and Develin served as a lead blocker on all eight of them, together with Sony Michel’s Super Bowl game-winner.
Even earlier than the playoffs, Develin loved a bigger function in New England’s offense than he had in any of his earlier seasons. The 30-year-old set a brand new profession excessive with 12 receptions on 17 targets for 61 yards and likewise discovered success in an surprising stint as New England’s goal-line again, scoring 4 short-yardage touchdowns over a four-game span to up his profession complete to 5.
“As the season progressed, I kind of started getting more and more opportunities,” Develin mentioned. “And I had to seize those opportunities and make the most out of them. That’s kind of how it goes. Once you have those opportunities and make the most out of them, then you get more opportunities. It kind of worked out that way last year.”
Thumbnail photograph by way of Jay Biggerstaff/USA TODAY Sports Images