FOXBORO — It can be tough for the Patriots to be worse on offense, so coming into desperation mode at simply the one-third mark of the season, Bill O’Brien and the offense may as nicely pull out all the stops Week 6 towards the Raiders.
Yes, that ought to embody elevating preseason hero Malik Cunningham, a quarterback/huge receiver-hybrid, from the follow squad and seeing if he can present a spark on offense.
We’ll discover out Saturday at 4 p.m. if the Patriots truly give Cunningham an opportunity within the common season. We know he received’t be beginning at quarterback. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick introduced Wednesday that the crew isn’t making a change at quarterback, and Mac Jones will proceed to start out. But Belichick stated Friday morning that Cunningham, who started his transition to huge receiver within the spring, is “trending towards” a game-day position.
“Anybody who keeps on improving is going to eventually probably get an opportunity to play,” Belichick stated.
Cunningham may very well be helpful in sure offensive conditions. The Patriots spent useful time this summer time with Cunningham operating the choice behind the crew’s beginning offensive line. The crew was not solely making ready for Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, however in addition they wished to see if Cunningham might run the offense successfully sufficient to function the crew’s third quarterback with Trace McSorley struggling on the time, a supply stated.
Cunningham, regardless of being a five-year starter as a quarterback at Louisville, isn’t a lot of a passing menace. But his enjoying pace was obvious in restricted snaps this preseason. He carried the ball 5 occasions for 39 yards with a landing whereas finishing 3-of-6 passing makes an attempt for 19 yards.
His playmaking skill might come in useful in short-yardage conditions and even within the objective line (if the Patriots ever get there once more).
“Yeah, for sure,” Cunningham advised the Herald when requested if he believed he might make an influence if he did get on the sector earlier than pivoting the dialog. “I mean, the team we have (is) very good on both sides of the ball. We just have to come together and find a way to win, for sure.”
Cunningham is aware of he may want to attend earlier than getting regular-season motion, nevertheless.
“That stuff just comes with time and patience,” Cunningham stated. “Whenever your name is called, just gotta be ready.”
The 6-foot-1, 198-pound ability participant might additionally probably function huge receiver depth with Demario Douglas and JuJu Smith-Schuster nonetheless in concussion protocol. The crew has Kendrick Bourne, DeVante Parker and Kayshon Boutte wholesome on their 53-man roster and Tyquan Thornton eligible to be activated off of injured reserve. Jalen Reagor and T.J. Luter fill out the follow squad.
Belichick has been impressed with Cunningham’s growth not solely at receiver but in addition on particular groups, the place the ex-college QB is utilizing his change-of-direction abilities at gunner.
“Yeah, Malik’s really worked hard and made a lot of improvement,” Belichick stated. “Never actually performed within the kicking recreation at Louisville. So, he’s began to indicate up there. Never performed receiver. That didn’t look superb both within the spring, however he’s actually improved there. He can catch the ball however simply the route operating and discovering zones and issues like that. But it’s come fairly naturally to him. And then the performs we’ve given him at quarterback, he’s competent there.
“So, he’s a smart kid, he works hard, and the opportunities he’s had, he’s actually looked — he’s shown a lot of improvement doing them. It’s a little too early for an induction ceremony here, but there’s definitely a lot of improvement.”
Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien known as Cunningham “one of the most improved practice squad players” on the Patriots.
“Malik works very hard,” offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien stated this week. “He does a good job on the practice squad, plays a lot of receiver. He played some quarterback last week with mimicking (New Orleans Saints QB/tight end) Taysom Hill. But he does a really good job, and he continues to improve.”
The undrafted rookie stated “conditioning” was the toughest a part of his transition from quarterback to huge receiver. He merely wasn’t used to operating at a full dash on each offensive play.
He’s getting assist from veteran receivers regularly, as nicely, as he continues to develop into the brand new position.
“It’s definitely different, but I’m getting more comfortable with it,” Cunningham stated. “The older guys are definitely helping me and just watching those guys go out there and do it. And then sometimes the older guys meet with the rookies. So we just watch film and just talk through it, see it from their perspective and just me being a quarterback and just talking it out and trying to figure things out to get better each and every day.”
The Patriots have the NFL’s worst offense based mostly on anticipated factors added (EPA) per play. They’re lifeless final in EPA per rush and EPA per dropback. And the offense went from very, very dangerous towards the Cowboys in Week 4 to worse in Week 5 towards the Saints.
They’ve been unwilling to show the reins over to Bailey Zappe or Will Grier at quarterback. But why not take away Jones in sure conditions to provide Cunningham a glance when he might be the extra useful participant. It’s not as if Tom Brady is at quarterback and the Patriots can’t take him off of the sector. Jones is actively hurting the Patriots at occasions.
Some possibility appears to be like with Cunningham might at the very least catch the Raiders off guard.
Source: www.bostonherald.com