The legend of Patriots rookie huge receiver Demario Douglas will solely develop after Thursday night time time’s preseason opener.
After two weeks of spectacular play at teaching camp, the 5-foot-8, 192-pound receiver barely carried out in the direction of the Houston Texans. Douglas started the game nevertheless logged merely two offensive snaps. He moreover carried out one explicit teams snap, truthful catching a punt.
Within the preseason, an absence of collaborating in time might be a great issue.
“We take a look at the entire physique of labor right here,” Belichick said. “There are a variety of guys who didn’t get an entire lot of reps final night time. That’s as a result of most of them obtained a variety of reps within the apply classes, extra reps within the apply session. I’d say a lot of the gamers who performed final night time have gotten fewer reps in apply classes. It’s type of a steadiness, and the fellows that apply much less play extra and a few of the guys who’ve practiced extra performed much less. Attempting to get an analysis and take a look at all people.”
There was an inventory of 21 Patriots players who’ve been seemingly healthful nevertheless didn’t play on Thursday night time time: quarterback Mac Jones, working once more Rhamondre Stevenson, huge receivers DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kendrick Bourne, tight ends Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki, offensive take care of Riley Reiff, coronary heart David Andrews, defensive linemen Christian Barmore, Deatrich Smart, Davon Godchaux and Lawrence Man, edge defenders Matthew Judon and linebacker Josh Uche, Ja’Whaun Bentley, cornerback Marcus Jones, safeties Jabrill Peppers, Adrian Phillips and Kyle Dugger, and explicit teamer Matthew Slater. Most of those players are each established veterans or entrenched starters.
Douglas is a rookie sixth-round resolve, nevertheless he’s risen up the depth chart given that spring, and the reason he’s practiced quite a bit is on account of he’s earned these alternate options by means of his effectivity.
Large receiver Tre Nixon, who’s combating for a roster spot, led all huge receivers with 49 snaps. Rookie sixth-round resolve Kayshon Boutte carried out 32 snaps, Raleigh Webb was on the sector for 25 snaps, Thryick Pitts carried out 19 snaps and 2022 second-round resolve Tyquan Thornton observed movement on 14 performs. Undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham primarily carried out quarterback on the Patriots’ remaining drive however moreover was in at huge receiver on a handful of his 26 offensive snaps.
Douglas has made a conduct out of beating Patriots defensive backs in 1-on-1 drills, using his quickness to understand easy separation. He’s been a favorite aim of backup quarterback Bailey Zappe however moreover elevated his targets from starter Mac Jones to date week.
The Patriots have been extreme on Douglas’ potential even coming into teaching camp.
The 22-year-old caught 79 passes for 993 yards with six touchdowns in his remaining season at Liberty, together with 5 carries for 105 yards with a touchdown as a ball supplier. He returned two punts for touchdowns in his four-year school occupation.
Thornton, who seemingly entered camp above Douglas on the receiving pecking order, did miss some observe time since camp broke in late July. He led the Patriots with 31 receiving yards on two catches Thursday night time time. Nixon led the workers with 4 catches on six targets, selecting up 23 yards.