No DeAndre Hopkins, No Problem? Belichick Praises Patriots WR
Coveted receiver DeAndre Hopkins is never showing up to Foxboro. JuJu Smith-Schuster is here, but - with only one catch for one yard this preseason - barely.
Thankfully, New England Patriots' veteran target Kendrick Bourne is having a productive training camp. In a video conference with reporters this week, coach Bill Belichick had high praise for Bourne.
"He had a good spring," Belichick said. "That spring led into having a good training camp. He’s done very well in all phases of the game. He’s played multiple spots, caught the ball well, blocked well. He’s had a good camp."
In last Saturday's preseason win over the Green Bay Packers, Bourne's offseason work began to pay off. He finished the game with three catches for 34 yards, second on the team behind rookie receiver Kayshon Boutte. Two of his catches came on the Patriots' first two offensive plays, indicating that they want him heavily involved this season.
He later provided the key block for Rhamondre Stevenson's 23-yard run.
Bourne had a down season in 2022, catching just 35 passes for 434 yards and one touchdown. This came after a strong debut season with the Patriots in 2021, when he caught 55 passes for 800 yards and five touchdowns.
In Bourne's defense, not all of his struggles last season were his fault. The Patriots' offense was kind of a mess last season, in large part due to the lack of a true offensive coordinator. With New England bringing back Bill O'Brien as offensive coordinator, Bourne and the offense as a whole should look better this season.
Bourne, 28, projects as one of the Patriots' top receivers alongside Devante Parker and Smith-Schuster. If Bourne can get back to his 2021 form, it would be a huge shot in the arm for New England's offense.
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