FOXBOROUGH — Chances are you have something in common with Elandon Roberts.
Whoever your favorite linebacker is, well that’s the guy the Patriots rookie linebacker likes, too.
“I would say all of them, because they were all on a level that I definitely wanted to get on,’’ said Roberts, when asked if there was a particular linebacker he liked to emulate. “I respect every linebacker in this league and that came through here. I respect the whole game. I say all of them.’’
Well, Roberts is on that level now and the sixth-round pick out of Houston had a bit of a coming-out party in New England’s 33-13 win over the Browns Sunday in Cleveland.
Roberts was a regular in the linebacking rotation for the first time this season, playing 31 of the 63 defensive snaps and wracking up a team-high seven tackles, including one for a loss.
Only Jamie Collins (52) played more snaps out of the linebackers, with Dont’a Hightower playing 29 and Barkevious Mingo (who actually got the start against his old team) playing seven. Jonathan Freeny did not play.
Roberts’s strong performance allowed the team to limit Hightower, who has been nursing a balky knee, and rest Freeny, who has a shoulder ailment.
Roberts is an instinctive player with a nose for the ball and he helped the Patriots limit the league’s top rushing attack to a measly 27 yards on 22 carries.
He stood out all afternoon and his signature play came when he shot a gap in the third quarter and dropped Isaiah Crowell, who entered as the league’s top rusher, for a 2-yard loss. The play was eye-popping and bone-rattling. Roberts clearly got a charge out of it.
“It felt good because you’re making a play for your team,’’ said Roberts. “It’s exciting because you’re enjoying your time with those guys next to you.’’
The 6-foot, 235-pounder provided a big boost for a unit that had surrendered 134 rushing yards to the Bills in Week 4.
“There’s only one way to stop the run and that’s by coming downhill,’’ said Roberts. “That’s just my style of play. Really aggressive guy. It’s instinctive, like second nature.’’
Roberts wouldn’t say if the increase in playing time was part of the game plan or if it just evolved as the game went on. All he would say was he was ready.
“It doesn’t take you by surprise because you prepare and practice to play,’’ he said. “Going in to it, when it was my number that got called, I went out there and no matter how many plays it was I was just going to be [ready] for my team.’’
Even when Roberts isn’t in the game he stays alert, knowing that he could pick up a tendency from the sideline that he could pass on to a teammate to make their job easier.
“I wouldn’t do it any other way than be engaged, helping my team,’’ he said. “That’s the type of culture we build around here, help each other see something that maybe they didn’t see.’’
Roberts said he felt comfortable with his workload on game day because of the work he did during the week.
“I really don’t stress about the game too much because I prepare in practice,’’ said Roberts, who said he leans on everyone for advice and tips — not just his linebacker brethren. “We are big [on preparation] in this organization. Practice makes games easier sometimes. And when practice gets hard and games get hard that’s when that stuff that you’ve been practicing and overcoming in practice makes the game easier.’’
Following the game, coach Bill Belichick called to Roberts, giving him a handshake and a hug. The rookie was asked what it felt like to be recognized for his efforts.
“It feels like you did your job. But at the same time there’s a lot of stuff to get better at. It was like, ‘Yes, sir. Thank you, coach,’ ’’ said Roberts. “And then today, you see [the film] and the stuff you’ve got to correct. Then you go in the next week and you correct it. The Browns are behind us and it’s on to Cincinnati now.’’
Coach is going to like that, too.
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.
