Still slots of options open
Time to ‘go-to’ backup plan
FOXBORO — Clutch receivers aren’t a dime a dozen, especially ones Tom Brady trusts when he absolutely needs to make a play.
It was rough when Julian Edelman was lost for the 2017 season, but there was still Danny Amendola to make those plays, not to mention Rob Gronkowski, his all-world tight end.
Now Amendola has fled to Miami as a free agent, and, according to a source, Edelman has been hit with a four-game PED suspension pending appeal.
It’s only four games, but the Texans, Jaguars, Lions and Dolphins won’t be easy by any stretch, especially with Brady shorthanded in the clutch receiver department. Those are four penetrating defenses, with good fronts that get to the quarterback. The Jaguars, second in the league in sacks last year, boast sack leader Calais Campbell. The other three also have their signature pass rushers, be it Houston’s Jadeveon Clowney and J.J. Watt, Detroit’s Ezekiel Ansah, or Miami’s Cameron Wake.
Not having a quick outlet guy to help avoid oncoming rushers, or a trusted chain mover like Edelman isn’t the best way to start the season.
So, does this mean it’s time to panic? Not necessarily. The Patriots have always had a way of getting by. They managed when Brady served his four-game suspension in 2016, going 3-1 with Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett at the helm, then went on to win the Super Bowl.
They’ve already added a few players to the mix this offseason, and the receiver competition has been an interesting one. Newcomer Jordan Matthews, who can play in the slot, will likely win a job. We haven’t seen much of sixth-round draft pick Braxton Berrios while he rehabs an injury, but he fits the profile. So does Riley McCarron, who was added last year. Both are Edelman clones and will be fighting for a roster spot.
There are also players who’ve been around a bit who Brady trusts. Chris Hogan and the QB have established a nice chemistry. That type of rapport is also coming with speedy wideout Phillip Dorsett, and we’ll see if that happens with Kenny Britt, who arrived late last year, and newcomer Cordarrelle Patterson.
Brady also has a fine arsenal of pass-catching running backs led by James White and Rex Burkhead. Rookie Sony Michel has also looked good receiving passes.
Then, there’s Gronkowski. He looked terrific in this week’s minicamp, especially the first two days. He’s a force, but he also looks like he’s going to have decent help in the tight end room. The competition for the second spot has really heated up. Dwayne Allen, who’s a terrific blocker, has upped his game and is trying to get on the same page with Brady. Meanwhile, secondyear pro Jacob Hollister has looked good, but not far behind are Will Tye and Troy Niklas.
For his part, Brady, who missed seven weeks of OTAs, said he hoped his absences wouldn’t hurt the team going forward.
With Edelman looking like he’ll be out the first four games, and Brady really needing to get in sync with the new receivers, that missed time might come back to haunt him.
“I mean every year has different challenges, you know? There’s some years where, I mean obviously this team has very high expectations. We’re trying to win every game. That’s what our goals are,” he said. “I think those things we have a lot of time to work on literally. Figuratively there’s a long way to go. We’ve got a lot of work to do and it’s going to be up to us individually to prepare as best we can and then collectively when we come together we do the same.”