Patriots: How Kendrick Bourne plans to avoid another disappointing season
Foxboro, Mass. – Kendrick Bourne is looking to put last year behind him and focus on improving heading into his third season with the New England Patriots. "New year. New me. New us. New everything," Bourne said following Friday's OTA session. "That's always the goal every year is to move forward and be better this […]
Foxboro, Mass. – Kendrick Bourne is looking to put last year behind him and focus on improving heading into his third season with the New England Patriots.
"New year. New me. New us. New everything," Bourne said following Friday's OTA session. "That's always the goal every year is to move forward and be better this year."
Bourne had a disappointing season last year, playing in 16 games with only 35 receptions for 434 yards and one touchdown. This came after he set a career high with 55 catches and 800 receiving yards during the 2021 season.
The receiver was not a top target for Jones, which was a surprise for many watching.
"I didn’t give the team my best effort,” Bourne said. "Personally we as players have to be our best so we can give the team the opportunity to win and I feel like I didn’t do that. So I’ve been grinding, trying to get bigger, weighing more, just being a more solid receiver and being able to do more. I don’t really go off stats, I go off how I feel, how I look and I just wasn’t in a good place, now I just want to avoid that. So it was a good learning process, it was good that it happened to me, and it’s always good to learn from hard times, struggling times."
Bourne placed an emphasis on staying fit in the offseason, looking to eat well and bulk up in an effort to be a better player.
"Last year, I was very disappointed in myself, and my play and everything how the year went," Bourne said. "So, just giving myself the best opportunity to do the best I can for the team."
While he places much of the blame on himself, Bourne truly can start fresh this season with Bill O'Brien taking command of the offense.
"Bill's familiar with what he's doing, so it feels good. Can tell he knowns what he's doing in all areas… He knows offense a lot so it feels good," Bourne said. "Everybody's on the same page. You can feel the growth already."
And with the excitement of starting fresh and focusing on the new season, Bourne is also enthusiastic about the possibility of DeAndre Hopkins joining the ranks.
Now Bourne just has to prove himself and earn one of the spots on the active roster with the season right around the corner.
Featured Image via Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
