The hope Nelson Agholor has for himself is identical hope the Patriots are clinging to as a staff.
That offseason development will result in on-field benefits. That expertise, togetherness and inside improvement can match the surface expertise their opponents have infused into their rosters. That the well-known Year 2 leap will push them excessive.
For the Patriots, Mac Jones embodies that leap; a younger quarterback who exceeded expectations as a rookie and desires extra as a longtime starter. For Agholor, it’s extra of a return to kind, after ending because the staff’s fourth-leading receiver final yr when he signed a free-agent deal that ought to have put in him as Jones’ No. 1 possibility.
Because with the Raiders in 2020, Agholor posted profession highs in receiving yards (896) and touchdowns (8), numbers that greater than doubled his outputs as a debut Patriot. Looking forward, Agholor believes higher manufacturing awaits in his encore season.
“The best part about it is Year 2 in the Patriots’ system is when guys really get going,” he mentioned Tuesday. “And I feel comfortable, and I’m excited to have my best season with the Patriots. And, you know, show why I’m here.”
How will he try this?
“For me it’s familiarity; first with the concepts (and) familiarity with how we do things,” Agholor mentioned Tuesday. “Whether it’s scheduling, coaching, all these issues, and being extra within the routine, I believe it helps that I’m aware of the atmosphere. Familiar with my teaching workers, by way of folks on this constructing, power workers, coaching workers.
“And I know the routes,” he continued. “The route tree is unique. I mean, everybody runs certain routes, but the route tree is a little different than what I ran before. Now I know it, so I get to put my own spin on how we do things and play fast.”
Agholor indicated his familiarity-bred confidence is frequent throughout the locker room. Strictly on offense, Jones, huge receiver Kendrick Bourne, tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith and 2021 draft choose Rhamondre Stevenson are additionally coming into Year 2 with the Patriots. Agholor described himself as being in a “really happy place,” the staff’s offseason exercises as enjoyable and taking part in in New England as belonging to a brotherhood.
“My motivation is to make it a memorable season with this team and the guys that I play alongside with,” he said, “and let it be something special.”
As for the rumors that he might be traded or requested to take a pay reduce — contemplating his $14.9 million cap hit, third-highest on the staff — Agholor mentioned is not paying them a lot thoughts.
“I don’t focus on that,” Agholor mentioned. “I’m here for a reason, and I love the opportunity that’s been given to me to be a Patriot, to work hard.”
Source: leagues24