Patriots' rookie receives simple lesson from Julian Edelman
Patriots rookie receiver Demario Douglas made a costly mistake in the early portions of the game: he fumbled the ball after a ten-yard catch, leading to a Miami Dolphins touchdown. After the play, long-time Patriot Julian Edelman had a lesson for the rookie receiver, tweeting out a simple phrase: "ball security." Douglas has flashed in […]
Patriots rookie receiver Demario Douglas made a costly mistake in the early portions of the game: he fumbled the ball after a ten-yard catch, leading to a Miami Dolphins touchdown. After the play, long-time Patriot Julian Edelman had a lesson for the rookie receiver, tweeting out a simple phrase: "ball security."
Douglas has flashed in his limited playing time, but Belichick notoriously punishes players who fumble by restricting their playing time. It didn't appear to be any different in this instance, as Douglas didn't take another offensive snap before half-time.
Douglas, a standout receiver from Houston, was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft. He finished his college career with 2,193 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. He showcased his shiftiness throughout the summer and into the preseason, exciting many fans about the potential discovery of another late-round slot receiver, following in the footsteps of their last one: Julian Edelman.
Edelman, a fan favorite, was QB Tom Brady's safety blanket. He caught 620 passes for 6,822 receiving yards and 36 touchdowns in his career with New England. Edelman retired as a Patriot following the 2020 offseason due to knee injuries but has maintained a significant influence in New England ever since. Patriots fans can only hope that Douglas can capture some of Edelman's magic, but as Edelman himself said, it is going to start with keeping the ball safe.
Featured image via Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
