Patriots
“We as gamers need to be our greatest so we can provide the workforce the chance to win and I really feel like I did not do this.”
Kendrick Bourne is wanting ahead to a clear slate in 2023 … and for good purpose.
On a dysfunctional Patriots offense in 2022, Bourne discovered himself on the surface wanting in.
After reeling in 55 catches for 800 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2021, Bourne was restricted to simply 35 receptions for 434 yards in his second season with New England. His lone landing got here in Week 16 in opposition to the Bengals.
All season lengthy, Bourne appeared to be caught in Matt Patricia’s doghouse, together with his candid feedback on the state of New England’s play calling possible hurting his trigger.
Following Friday’s OTA session at Gillette Stadium, Bourne fielded questions on Invoice O’Brien — Patricia’s successor as offensive play caller — and his efforts towards righting the Patriots’ ship.
However moderately than drag Patricia following his lackluster season in Foxboro, Bourne held himself accountable for his dip in manufacturing.
“I didn’t give the workforce my finest effort,” Bourne mentioned of his play in 2022, per Patriots.com’s Mike Dussault. “Personally we as gamers need to be our greatest so we can provide the workforce the chance to win and I really feel like I didn’t do this. So I’ve been grinding, attempting to get larger, weighing extra, simply being a extra strong receiver and having the ability to do extra.
“I don’t actually go off stats, I’m going off how I really feel, how I look and I simply wasn’t in place, now I simply need to keep away from that. So it was studying course of, it was good that it occurred to me, and it’s all the time good to be taught from exhausting occasions, struggling occasions.”
The 27-year-old Bourne was considered one of Mac Jones’ most reliable receiving choices in 2021, with the previous 49er serving as a flexible weapon each on the surface and within the slot.
Jones ought to have loads of choices to show to in 2023, with newcomers like JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki contributing, together with a possible second-year surge from Tyquan Thornton.
But when O’Brien can put Bourne again in a featured function, the wideout has the skillset to cube up opposing defenses.
Thus far, Bourne likes what he has seen from O’Brien and his revamped offensive scheme.
“Simply Invoice’s accustomed to what he’s doing, so it feels good,” Bourne mentioned. “You may inform he is aware of what he’s doing in all areas of the offense, from receiver, working again, lineman… He is aware of offense quite a bit so it feels good.
“He is aware of the way to have interaction with all of us, I really feel like. He is aware of our traits now and he is aware of the place to place us so it’s been good. We’re nonetheless studying one another as a gaggle however he’s doing properly.”
Regardless of final season’s lackluster returns, the Patriots ought to have the personnel in place to orchestrate a bounceback yr on offense, particularly if Jones thrives in O’Brien’s system.
“It feels good. It feels quick. Simply thrilling, man,” Bourne mentioned of O’Brien’s offense. “Everyone’s on the identical web page,” Bourne mentioned. “You may really feel the expansion already, in order that’s probably the most thrilling half. I really feel like we’re gonna know precisely what we’re doing and who we’re — determining who we’re shortly.”
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