Mike Vrabel makes honest admission about Christian Gonzalez

The New England Patriots always had high hopes for Oregon star Christian Gonzalez.

He's grown to become one of the best young defensive backs in the league, but he didn't always live up to that distinction this season.

That's why, after logging his first pick of the year and making the game-winning play against the Denver Broncos, head coach Mike Vrabel wanted to give him his flowers.

Addressing the media, Vrabel praised Gonzalez for turning the page and stepping up in the final stretch of the campaign.

Mike Vrabel addresses change in Christian Gonzalez

“It just says that he’s been playing really, really good football,” Vrabel said, per Patriots reporter Joseph Manning. “Sometimes you get beat, the best ones do. About six or eight weeks ago, I can’t remember when, I saw a different Gonzo. Something went off, it changed.”

The coach gushed about Gonzalez's ability to leave his woes behind and be a professional through the struggles:

“Maybe the Ravens game or something, I just noticed a different player, a different person. He’s just so talented and I appreciate every one of them. He can certainly be elite. Your best players have to make those types of plays in championship games,” he added.

Gonzalez's Pro Football Focus grade (65.8) ranked 43rd among 114 eligible cornerbacks, probably due to that slow start to the season.

Then again, he stepped up big time when it mattered the most, logging six total tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack and the game-sealing interception in the biggest game of his young and promising career so far.