As the Patriots look so as to add extra explosive performs into their offense, a younger broad receiver who ranks as one of many NFL’s quickest gamers is near being eligible to return off of injured reserve.
The prime query this week is about what sort of function Tyquan Thornton might see within the offense.
Let’s get into this week’s mailbag:
@PeterHoults
Hey Doug, that is my first time asking a mail Doug query. Do you see Thornton taking juju’s spot when he comes again?
I don’t suppose Patriots 2022 second-round decide Tyquan Thornton, who’s eligible to return in Week 5, will instantly take JuJu Smith-Schuster’s function, but when the offense continues to wrestle, then he’s an in-house choice to probably present a spark.
The situation is that Thornton had fallen behind Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne and rookie Demario Douglas with a shaky coaching camp. So even when Thornton is wholesome sufficient to return off of injured reserve subsequent week, he’ll must work his manner again up the depth chart.
I simply must see it to be satisfied that Thornton can contribute meaningfully to the Patriots. He ran cold and warm over coaching camp after a really quiet rookie season. And he’s had a number of hassle staying wholesome early in his profession.
After Thornton was handed by a rookie on the depth chart this summer time, a workforce supply mentioned the broad receiver nonetheless has loads to show.
He caught 22 passes for 247 yards with two touchdowns final season whereas taking part in over half of the Patriots’ offensive snaps.
The Patriots do want his velocity component within the offense, nonetheless. He simply must show that he may be an explosive risk, as a result of regardless of having 4.2-second 40-yard sprint velocity, he averaged simply over 11 yards per reception final yr.
@bobhenry
Seemed like Kayshon Boutte was on the verge of incomes extra snaps. Is his alternative principally based mostly on accidents in entrance of him or may he earn extra snaps quickly on his personal benefit?
I really feel like loads has been made out of Kayshon Boutte being a wholesome scratch the final two weeks. I feel he in all probability would have been a wholesome scratch in Week 1 too, however DeVante Parker was injured, and Boutte is the Patriots’ backup “X” receiver.
He’s simply merely additional down the depth chart from different Patriots broad receivers. He has a ton of potential, however he’s nonetheless a rookie, and the workforce appreciated what they noticed out of Douglas extra this summer time.
@YarrBill
What’s up with Adrian Phillips’ snap rely
It sounds prefer it’s a mixture of issues retaining security Adrian Phillips’ snap rely down by way of three weeks. After taking part in 62.3% of snaps in 2022, he’s solely been on the sector for 18.75% of snaps this season.
But the Patriots have simply added gamers who’re youthful and quicker than Phillips. And the protection is taking part in effectively with him having only a restricted function. So, till that modifications, I don’t know if we’ll see a number of him within the protection.
Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Marte Mapu and Jalen Mills have all performed extra snaps that Phillips from the security place. And Myles Bryant has taken on a giant function early this season, as effectively.
@goonsofpitt
Keep asking the identical query, do the Pats anticipate to have most of their O line again by Sunday?
Based on what we noticed in observe on Thursday, it will be a little bit of a shock if left guard Cole Strange (knee) performed. That would possible imply rookie Atonio Mafi filling in at left guard. Rookie Sidy Sow can be one other risk. Both Mafi and Sow began in Week 1 towards the Eagles.
It’s been a troublesome yr for Strange already. He missed a lot of the summer time plus Week 1 with a knee harm and has actually struggled when he’s been on the sector.
He additionally struggled as a rookie. It’s too early to surrender on Strange, but when Mafi or Sow play effectively in his absence, do we all know for sure that he’s getting his beginning job again?
That is placing the cart earlier than the horse, although, as a result of Mafi and Sow haven’t been phenomenal in restricted motion.
@BrianLeFort
What do you suppose the reasoning is for not using Ty Montgomery within the working sport as a 3rd down again? Any likelihood they begin to give it a attempt?
I simply suppose the Patriots like having Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott on the sector extra, and I can’t completely blame them.
A 3rd-down again is beneficial if that’s a participant like James White or Kevin Faulk or Dion Lewis or Danny Woodhead. I’m undecided if I’d put Montgomery in the identical bucket. White, Faulk, Lewis and Woodhead have been ok that it was value taking the early-down again off of the sector.
@byanruckley
What’s your early impression of Marte Mapu?
He’s been stable. He’s moved round fairly a bit in his restricted snaps with 21 within the field, 5 within the slot and 20 at free security. He’s additionally been a contributor on particular groups.
I feel he’s a type of guys who has taken some snaps away from Phillips.
@ashley1992__
Hi Doug, by way of 3 video games to this point, who has been probably the most nice shock for the Patriots and who has been the most important disappointment in your opinion?
My most nice shock is Christian Gonzalez. Honestly, he struggled much more in coaching camp than he has through the common season to this point. He’s been very spectacular.
Biggest disappointment might be Smith-Schuster. I anticipated Stevenson to be higher by way of the primary three video games, as effectively, however the offensive line may be blamed for his efficiency.
