This season was all the time about growth for the New England Patriots.
“Now we have to comprehend that we now have to get higher every day,” Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo stated on Aug. 1. “Even after we undergo the common season, the place we’re Week 1 shouldn’t be the place we’re Week 8, and that’s the method that we’re taking.”
With the Patriots on their Week 14 bye, it hasn’t performed out like that.
Rookies (aside from Drake Maye) have but to actually contribute. Second-year gamers (aside from Christian Gonzalez) have but to take the very important second-year leap head coach Jerod Mayo has confused. Have some youthful Patriots gamers improved? Properly, positive. However they’re not straightforward to determine.
That’s arguably probably the most regarding side of the pre-bye week season.
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Maye, once more, is an apparent one. The third general decide is in a a lot completely different spot than he was in coaching camp. He’s not solely confirmed eye-catching traits since his first begin (Week 6), however he’s put the group on his again and elevated these round him. There was loads made about Maye’s footwork through the pre-draft course of, and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt has recommended Maye for that enchancment. The primary-round rookie has confirmed off his intelligence by diagnosing and shredding blitzes. He by no means appears to get sped up.
That’s an enormous win, little question.
Gonzalez has taken noticeable steps ahead, too. The 2023 first-round decide was labeled a shutdown nook getting into his second season regardless of the actual fact he performed 4 video games as a rookie. He’s undoubtedly lived as much as these excessive expectations whereas locking down opposing high wideouts.
Past these two, nonetheless, the listing is small. Possibly you possibly can embody second-year defender Keion White, however even White has struggled with consistency. Sophomore wideout DeMario Douglas has began to type a reference to Maye, however there’s little question he’s effectively in need of expectations this season.
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In the meantime, the rookie class consists of query mark after query mark. In what space has second-round wideout Ja’Lynn Polk developed? What about fourth-rounder Javon Baker, who hardly ever sees the sphere on offense? After which there’s third-rounder Caedan Wallace, who hasn’t been wholesome sufficient to contribute. Keep in mind when vice chairman of participant personnel Eliot Wolf thought Wallace would be capable of develop at left deal with this season? The early returns level to that being a no, as effectively.
Mayo has stated New England’s younger gamers may have extra alternatives within the final 4 video games. The Patriots have to see what they’ve getting into the offseason, Mayo stated.
They positive do. As a result of the overwhelming majority haven’t proven any enchancment the primary three months of the season.
