Patriots' Jonas Gray on missing Super Bowl: 'It's motivation going into the offseason'

Jonas Gray's rookie season had a major high, and plenty of lows. 

The New England Patriots running back burst onto the scene in mid-November with a 200-yard, four-touchdown game against the Indianapolis Colts. However, showing up late for a meeting the following week led to a benching and a few weeks of being deactivated. 

Gray fell so far out of favor with head coach Bill Belichick that he was even deactivated for the Super Bowl. 

"The tough part for me was to watch it, and not participate in a matter I thought I should, and not be able to help change the outcome of the game; being helpful," Gray told the Boston Herald. "But it’s motivation going into the offseason. I just know I need to work harder, so I’ll never get myself in that position again."

Gray is trying to turn a negative into a positive and work his way back up the depth chart. 

"When people ask me about the offseason, I tell them I’m going to have a Jerry Rice/Walter Payton mentality where whatever you do isn’t enough," he said. "I’m going to have a work ethic where I know, in my heart of hearts, I’m going to outwork everybody. That’s what I hope to achieve."

The door is certainly open for Gray to earn playing time. Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley are heading for free agency, and it's unlikely the Patriots will bring both back. 

"For me, personally, I don’t care who’s back. I’m one of those guys that regardless of what happens, I’m gonna work," Gray said. "I know what the coaches expect. I know what I expect out of myself. I know what my teammates expect.... I’m willing to work and show them exactly what they need to see."