FOXBORO – Imagine aspiring to be a safety blanket.
A supply of consolation. Knowledgeable plan B.
Now think about being an NFL receiver, and telling the world that’s your purpose. More than scoring touchdowns, making Pro Bowls, spotlight performs, and many others. You simply need to calm your quarterback.
That’s what Jakobi Meyers informed reporters this week from the consolation of his personal locker.
“I can make big plays, but I like to be the guy when (Mac Jones) needs somebody just to get rid of it, I’ll take it,” Meyers mentioned. “I’ll take the hit and get back up.”
Meyers has been the Patriots’ main receiver for 2 straight seasons, a testomony to his personal laborious work and the crew’s lack of receiving expertise. The Pats have been probably the most pressed offense within the NFL final 12 months, when opponents have been unafraid to play them 1-on-1. So the entrance workplace imported DeVante Parker from Miami, a contested-catch specialist with a reasonably well-rounded recreation.
It was anticipated, and should come to go, that Parker would turn into the Patriots’ No. 1 receiver. Instead, Meyers led the crew in catches all through coaching camp. He led them once more within the season opener. He stays Jones’ most trusted weapon.
Yet, public reward for Meyers tends to high out at numerous synonyms of unspectacular. His receivers coach, former Patriots nice Troy Brown, lately known as him “Mr. Steady.” Conversations about Meyers, even probably the most glowing, routinely begins with every little thing he isn’t: overly quick, massive or robust.
Allow considered one of Meyers’ teammates to step in.
“He’s smart, quick as hell, runs great routes. He’s a great player,” Pats extensive receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey mentioned Thursday. “You don’t see too many guys his size who can move like that.”
Quickness and toughness are paramount within the slot, the place Meyers has unexpectedly developed into Julian Edelman’s successor. In 2019, Meyers watched a 33-year-old Edelman single-handedly carry the Pats’ passing offense by way of a mix of quickness, toughness and belief he developed over years of taking part in with Tom Brady. Edelman completed with 71 extra catches and 720 extra receiving yards than every other wideout on the roster that 12 months, Meyers’ rookie marketing campaign.
The Pats made the playoffs that 12 months, however faltered as an injured Edelman did down the stretch. As the Patriots’ new offense works by way of rising pains, these self-created and compelled upon them by high-pressure defenses, Brady’s successor wants his safety blanket greater than ever. Meyers is completely happy to oblige.
“I know when that pocket collapses, a quarterback’s going to be looking for a guy who can take that hit and get back up. … Just give it to me, and I got you,” he mentioned. “We’ll keep the chains moving.”
Last week in Miami, Meyers led the Patriots in receptions (4) and receiving yards (55) whereas taking part in on a damage knee. He additionally snagged the catch of the day, going up and over Dolphins defensive again Nik Needham for a 27-yard achieve alongside the sideline within the second quarter. Jones heaved the ball as much as him on third-and-7.
It was a play Meyers couldn’t have made as a rookie or a second-year receiver. Maybe even final season; one other testomony to how the 25-year-old has developed in brief time.
“He’s really learned how to become a good slot receiver, but he can do things on the perimeter as well,” Bill Belichick mentioned this week. “He’s good in the blocking part of the game and run force. Some of the more sophisticated routes he’s had more experience with, so he’s done a good job on those. Got good hands, good catch radius, good quickness to get open.”
Meyers admitted the stress will flip up at Pittsburgh this weekend. Between the Steelers’ long-standing tendency to blitz, their myriad of coverages and the actual fact Jones missed apply Thursday — when the Pats cowl third downs — he and the opposite receivers should ship for his or her quarterback. But so far as landing celebrations or 1-handed grabs go, he’ll go.
Just give Meyers third-and-medium with the Terrible Towels swirling and his quarterback in hassle Sunday. He’ll care for the remaining.
“I’ve just never really been one for the flash or the spotlight,” Meyers mentioned. “Somebody else can have the spotlight. I just wanna make sure when everyone’s nervous and there’s pressure, I’m someone who can make the tough catch, take the tough hit and trust me. That’s my thing: being there when people need me.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com