FOXBORO — Jakobi Meyers stated Thursday everybody within the large receivers room has a particular job and position to play within the Patriots’ “new” offense.
Meyers’ job?
That’s not onerous to determine. Even with DeVante Parker added to the combo this yr, Nelson Agholor wanting a lot improved and Kendrick Bourne additionally factoring prominently into the equation, Meyers stays on the head of the category.
That’s as a result of he continues to be Mac Jones’ go-to-guy in a pinch.
He was the crew’s main receiver final yr with 83 catches for 866 yards, and the chemistry has solely improved between he and Jones, who’ve turn out to be shut associates off the sphere.
Listening to Meyers focus on the connection, he’s gotten to the purpose the place their communication is essentially silent.
He is aware of what Jones desires him to do, the place he wants him to be on each play.
“I just understand what he wants. Sometimes, he doesn’t have to go out there and tell me exactly what he’s thinking,” Meyers stated throughout his podium session forward of the crew’s Sept. 11 opener in Miami. “I simply really feel like from enjoying the sport, and watching him play, and listening to how he performs, I sort of perceive the place he desires me to be. And I simply get there.
“If we need to talk about it, we’ll talk about it. But for the most part, I think I understand where he’s coming from.”
Every quarterback wants that one receiver to depend on in a pinch, to maneuver the sticks on third down. Meyers, the longest tenured receiver within the group, has turn out to be that man for Jones.
It began final yr, however was much more evident by coaching camp and joint practices. He tended to be the chain mover for Jones.
“It takes a lot of trust to get there. And the fact he looks for me in certain situations, I guess I must be doing some things right,” stated Meyers. “But that can change really quickly. That’s the NFL. Things change fast. So, it’s something I gotta go out there and keep proving over and over again. It really don’t matter what I did last year. I gotta go out there and win again on third down this year.”
Meyers acknowledges it helps that he was a quarterback earlier than making the change to receiver. It additionally helps that he and Jones get alongside so nicely. Their bond extends past the sphere and has strengthened over time.
“It’s pretty easy to build a connection with Mac. He’s one of those guys that’s just a great guy,” stated Meyers. If you have been to satisfy him outdoors, you wouldn’t suppose he was a first-round decide who gained this, gained that, completed this, completed that. You would suppose he was a traditional younger man who loves life essentially the most he can.
“It’s easy to be around him. That’s me, and all the other guys. We enjoy being around him. We enjoy competing with him, for him … I appreciate him for what he’s brought in the little time we’ve known each other.”
Meyers stated the dynamic was totally different at this level final yr. Cam Newton was within the quarterback image earlier than Jones formally gained the job proper round cutdown day.
There’s no query now who’s main the offense.
“We know he’s the guy now. It’s a new offense,” stated Meyers. “But on the finish of the day, everyone knows we’re making an attempt to ensure we get on his web page.
“He’s definitely taking authority. His leadership has been crazy this year. He’s always in the building. He knows what he wants. It’s been helpful for us. We’re just trying to make sure we’re there for him.”
Meyers has been there. He continues to be Jones’ most dependable and reliable goal heading into Year 2. Their chemistry is clear.
While admitting it took awhile to get all of the totally different verbiage and possibilities with the brand new offense, Meyers says he’s in a significantly better place now.
“I’ve been in it, I’ve made my mistakes, I feel like I’ve learned from them, and now, I feel like I’m on the right page,” he stated. “I understand what coaches are thinking, I understand what Mac is thinking … I know who the guy is, and I know where he wants me to be.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com