FOXBORO — Patriots extensive receiver Kendrick Bourne is just not ignoring the noise.
Four minutes into Bourne’s media availability Sunday after coaching camp apply, Patriots media relations informed reporters “two more questions” for the extensive receiver. It’s a typical route to maneuver gamers on and off of the makeshift podium arrange on the facet of the Patriots’ apply subject.
The subsequent query got here from a reporter who requested Bourne about fellow extensive receiver Tyquan Thornton. Bourne responded, “stink, stunk and stank” earlier than operating again to the apply subject.
That reporter, the Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi, said last week on NBC Sports Boston that what he’s seen out of the Patriots’ extensive receiver place in apply is “stink, stank and stunk.”
Fellow extensive receiver DeVante Parker appreciated the reply.
“Lmao he funny af for that 🤣,” Parker tweeted.
Bourne clearly believes in his group, which additionally contains DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookies Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte. He not too long ago posted an Instagram story saying the Patriots’ group of extensive receivers goes to go “crazzyyy this year.” Bourne stated he has “a lot of confidence” in his place group.
“We got a lot of doubters, so got a lot to prove,” Bourne stated minutes earlier than his walkoff. “I’m excited. It’s good to be the underdog sometimes, because they don’t know we’re coming.”
Bourne defined why he has confidence within the group, which isn’t well-revered among the many media.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell not too long ago ranked the Patriots’ skill-position group — together with tight ends Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki and operating again Rhamondre Stevenson — twenty sixth out of 32 NFL groups.
“Just how hard we work,” Bourne stated. “We put in the work behind closed doors. Lot of things are said, but we’ve put in the work. So, we know how we feel. We know what we’re capable of. It’s not just us receivers. It’s all of us as a group. If we all work together as 11, it’ll play out for the better for all of us.”
Smith-Schuster was not too long ago requested if the Patriots have a “No. 1 receiver.” That grew to become a preferred subject after the workforce didn’t signal free-agent extensive receiver DeAndre Hopkins, shedding him to the Tennessee Titans this summer time.
Smith-Schuster gave a diplomatic reply that he believed all of New England’s wideouts might be No. 1s.
Bourne agreed Sunday.
“I think we’re all No. 1s, honestly,” Bourne stated. “And that’s how we all need to think in a team way. We’re all the guy. You just never know when that moment is going to be important for you to be the guy. If you can think like you’re a No. 1, then you’ll play like a No. 1. You’ll get the result of a No. 1. The ball controls itself. The scheme goes toward one way. If you’re the No. 1, you might sometimes get double teamed, so we all need to think we’re No. 1s. So I don’t think there’s a No. 1.”
So far in apply, Smith-Schuster and Parker have been the unquestioned starters. Bourne has served as a No. 3, and the fourth spot on the depth chart is up within the air. Thornton — a 2022 second-round choose — had been holding it down till he not too long ago missed practices. Douglas has seen reps over Thornton, and Boutte can also be within the combine.
Source: www.bostonherald.com