Patriots coach makes honest admission about why he was so keen to accept the job in New England
FOXBOROUGH, Mass – The Patriots wide receiver room is a bit of a question right. The team made some offseason additions, bringing in Mack Hollins and Stefon Diggs. But they also have some talented young players in DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte, along with Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Specifically when it comes the younger players, […]
FOXBOROUGH, Mass – The Patriots wide receiver room is a bit of a question right.
The team made some offseason additions, bringing in Mack Hollins and Stefon Diggs. But they also have some talented young players in DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte, along with Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker.
Specifically when it comes the younger players, they didn't have the production that was expected last season, drawing into question whether they are the right fit for the team.
But when speaking with reporters on Thursday, new receivers coach Todd Downing revealed that he likes what he's seen from these receivers.
“It’s one of the reasons I was really excited to accept this job. There’s a lot of talent, and young talent in that room,” Downing explained. “I think that fresh start mentality that we were discussing earlier gives everyone a chance to say: ‘I’m gonna bring my skillset and see where I can develop it.‘’’
“(The players) are going to get out of it, what they put into it. If they bring their skillset and don’t put very much work into it, that skillset probably won’t show up very much,” he added. “But if they work hard, if they’re diligent about trying to learn the system, if they’re selfless and they work to be good teammates, I think good things will happen for those guys.”
As for Polk and Baker, Downing did a little bit of work on them prior to the 2024 NFL Draft.
“I knew their skillset a little bit going into watching their tape,” Downing said. “And preparing for talking with Coach Vrabel about this job, I went and watched some games from last year. And you see those same flashes of ability.
"So as long as the character and approach to this offseason matches that fresh start mentality, I think they have the tools to be able to do some things and show out as NFL wide receivers.”
That's what fans want to hear as the 2025 season gets closer and closer.
New England offensive coordinator and WR coach use one word to describe new Patriots WR Stefon Diggs
The perfect explanation.
