The Patriots opted to signal JuJu Smith-Schuster as a substitute of bringing Jakobi Meyers again this offseason. But why wasn’t the brand new large receiver taking part in as a lot as anticipated in Week 1?
Smith-Schuster performed simply 43 of the Patriots’ 80 offensive snaps in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles, which was 12 fewer than rookie Kayshon Boutte. A supply defined to the Herald on Monday that Smith-Schuster’s extra restricted position was attributable to his lack of ability to play the position left vacant by the absence of DeVante Parker and heavy rotation inside between Kendrick Bourne and Demario Douglas.
Source explains JuJu Smith-Schuster’s lack of snaps for Patriots in Week 1
But it was nonetheless puzzling to see a diminished position for Smith-Schuster after the Patriots signed him to a three-year, $25.5 million contract. Patriots large receivers coach Ross Douglas was requested in regards to the receiver’s Week 1 position on Tuesday.
“The one good thing is JuJu himself, we have a lot of good players on this team, so to get the best five skill players on the team, whether that’s multiple tight ends, multiple running backs, different groups of wide receivers, we do have a lot of different personnel packages, and that’s just kind of the way the game flowed and we just did what we thought was best to be able to move the ball and score points,” Douglas mentioned. “JuJu was in there a whole lot and he’ll continue to be there a lot, and he’ll continue to get better and he’s a guy who can help our team win, so we expect him to do that moving forward.”
Smith-Schuster was noticeably absent throughout the Patriots’ ultimate drive, when he didn’t see a single snap as they chased a comeback victory. But Douglas didn’t supply a lot when requested why Smith-Schuster wasn’t concerned in that bundle.
“JuJu can definitely be a part of any package. He was a part of a lot of our two-receiver packages, he was a part of some different packages. He can be part of any package. He’s a good player and he’s a guy who can help us and he will help us moving forward. So I look forward to continue to working with him and now I’m just ready to keep going and turn this thing in the right direction.”
Despite his Week 1 position, the Patriots consider huge issues are forward for Smith-Schuster, who they suppose brings lots to their large receiver room.
“JuJu is a vet. He’s been around the league for a long time,” Douglas mentioned.” He performed in Pittsburgh, he’s performed in Kansas City, has a Super Bowl expertise. He’s a man that does plenty of issues effectively. He’s good from a management standpoint in our room. He does plenty of issues blocking within the run sport, he runs good routes, he can catch the ball, he’s an even bigger bodily man, so there’s lots you are able to do with him and he’ll proceed to take action for us.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com