Stephon Gilmore Responds to Criticism of His Performance

Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore responded to criticism of his performance Thursday, dismissing the thoughts of media and fans from the "outside."

"You have to take the good with the bad," Gilmore said, per Matthew Fairburn of NYup.com. "As long as my defense knows what I was doing and the coverage I was in and my technique I played, that's all that matters. People on the outside don't really matter."

Gilmore was responding to a particular play in which New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan beat him over the top for a 53-yard touchdown. He said the mistake was not his on the play, seemingly deflecting the blame to his safety.

"I did my job on that play, so it is what it is," Gilmore said. "I have a chip on my shoulder every week. You keep bringing up last week. It was a busted coverage. It wasn't my responsibility."

The 26-year-old has compiled 26 tackles and two interceptions through the first eight weeks of the season. Those numbers are roughly on par with his career production but mask what's otherwise been an inconsistent campaign.

Pro Football Focus ranks Gilmore 82nd among cornerbacks in 2016, and he's been a weak link in a solid Buffalo pass defense. The Bills have given up only eight passing touchdowns all season, and four of them were from Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in Sunday's 41-25 loss.

"Nah, I've had it worse," Gilmore said of the criticism, per Fairburn. "Playing corner, everybody wants to play from the stands and from the internet and don't know nothing about football."

Gilmore is playing out the final season of his five-year rookie contract, which pays him $11.1 million. He will be an unrestricted free agent at season's end, at which point the Bills will have to make a long-term decision. On Monday, head coach Rex Ryan acknowledged Gilmore's performance has been "up and down," per Fairburn.

"I think it's just getting back to the fundamentals and getting back to what he did in training camp. He was physical, he was aggressive, and when the ball [was] thrown his way, you were wondering if he was going to come down with it," Ryan said. "It was almost like a 50-50. So we have to get back to doing those things."

The Bills will play the Seattle Seahawks on the road Monday night. Russell Wilson has thrown just five touchdown passes all season and hasn't found the end zone in three weeks. If any opponent is struggling enough through the air to help Gilmore get back into a rhythm, it's Seattle.

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