It’s by no means a very good look when an offensive lineman will get extra targets than considered one of your large receivers.
However that’s the predicament New England Patriots wideout Ja’Lynn Polk discovered himself in Sunday.
Polk’s turbulent rookie season continued in a 28-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Gillette Stadium because the second-round decide didn’t see one cross from quarterback Drake Maye come his means. Eight different pass-catchers recorded a minimum of one catch for the Patriots, together with offensive deal with Vederian Lowe developing with a 4-yard landing reception early within the fourth quarter.
Polk additionally dedicated a false begin penalty late within the fourth quarter with the offense on the sector for a fourth down deep in Rams territory.
Issues clearly have but to go Polk’s means, and his Patriots teammates handed on recommendation to him in making an attempt to ensure he doesn’t lose hope about turning his season and younger profession round.
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“I believe simply maintain going,” Maye advised reporters, per team-provided video. “I believe he’s going to be an ideal participant on this league. He’s a rookie like myself. We’re going to have some good video games as Patriots collectively. Wanting ahead to retaining him going, and I believe he’s getting thrown in there at totally different instances and thrown in there to dam some. So, I believe he’s going to choose up some little issues. However he’s an ideal participant, and have to discover a option to get him the soccer.”
Polk has simply 11 receptions for 80 yards in 10 video games this season. The intense spot? He by some means leads all Patriots receivers with two landing catches, together with one which got here in New England’s current street win over the Chicago Bears.
Whereas Polk’s manufacturing leaves an amazing quantity to be desired, it’s nonetheless greater than what the Patriots have acquired from fourth-round decide Javon Baker. Baker nonetheless doesn’t have an NFL catch to his identify as he hardly ever has been within the offensive huddle. Baker’s greatest probability to the touch the ball comes as a kickoff returner.
“I believe it’s vital to recollect these guys are rookies, and typically the expectation is that they’re simply going to return in right here and be All-Professionals. That’s not it,” Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo advised reporters, per team-provided video. “These guys, they work day-after-day and in some unspecified time in the future they’ll hit an inflection level the place they can assist our crew win.”
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Kendrick Bourne, the veteran within the large receiver room, echoed an identical message as Maye to Polk. Bourne is aware of how rapidly issues can change within the NFL and pointed to himself for example. Bourne was benched final week in opposition to the Bears earlier than handing over 5 receptions for 70 yards and a landing in opposition to the Rams.
“It’s powerful,” Bourne stated. “Adversity it hits. I used to be down final week, however simply maintain going. That’s sort of what you encourage him. Simply maintain going. You by no means know what play goes to vary your profession. You by no means know what the long run holds, so don’t maintain onto dangerous issues for too lengthy. It’s not straightforward to do, however that’s sort of simply the phrases of encouragement.”
