New England Patriots defensive back Nate Ebner (43) speaks with teammates on the sideline in the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. Credit: AP/Elise Amendola
Nate Ebner is listed as a safety.
But in the last three seasons combined, he’s played just as many snaps on offense (1) as he has on defense (1). So why was he able to stick with the Patriots – a team above all others in terms of culling value from its players and dispensing those who don’t contribute – for seven years?