In college at Georgia, RB Sony Michel fumbled once every 82.5 times he touched the ball. Considering how much the New England Patriots value ball security, that’ll have to change in the NFL.

The Pats still spent a first-round pick on him, so he will have no choice but to fix that aspect of his game as he enters the pros.

On Friday, Patriots RB coach Ivan Fears said if Michel can’t hold onto the ball this year, he’ll be riding the pine (via NESN.com):

“Let him sit on the bench a little while,” Fears said. “He’s gotta figure out that’s the most important thing he does. He’s gotta figure that out, and he’s gotta get that message. And I don’t care how you do it, he’s gotta get that message. And when he gets that message, he’s going to play, he’s going to hold onto that ball. If he can’t hold onto that ball, then he can’t play for us. We can’t have that.”

Overall, though, Fears is very high on Michel and his ability to succeed in New England. Therefore, he should get plenty of opportunities this fall.

However, he’ll need to focus on ball security above all else if he wants to keep getting playing time for coach Bill Belichick’s squad.