FOXBOROUGH – Tom Brady craves chain-movers. It is the worst-kept secret in the National Football League.
After Sunday night's 13-9 squeaker over Dallas, Brady, the New England Patriots coaching staff, and even fans have to be at least a little curious when it comes to whether or not rookies N'Keal Harry and Jakobi Meyers fit the job description.
The rookie receiving duo combined for five catches (on 13 targets), good for 84 yards and a TD under extreme weather conditions.
It was hardly Rice-and-Taylor or Moss-and-Welker but it was indeed a step in a positive direction. It had to be. The Patriots were without injured Mohamed Sanu and Phil Dorsett, meaning TB12 had little else to pick from any time Dallas chose to pay close attention to Julian Edelman.
“I wasn't thinking about anything, really. I was just thinking about playing the game,” said Harry, the first-round pick with four catches on the year. “I'm definitely not satisfied. And anyone who knows me knows I want to turn it up a notch. … And get back to work. We're (he and Meyers) just trying to get better.”
As sweet as Harry's one grab was, a 10-yard back-shoulder fade for the game's lone TD, there was a heck of a lot more to be discouraged about.
Mentally, he seems to be there. His route on a deep out at the Dallas sideline was flawless, squaring things off with plenty of cushion from the zone defender. He dragged the feet, and Brady made his best throw of the night, a dart from the right hash you could have hung your towels on.
Unfortunately, the football went right between his hands for a costly incompletion.
Physically, this specimen has to be better. Brady let him know it, too, when asked about the TD catch.
“He made a great catch. That was a great play. That was awesome,” said the QB, whose tension level seemed to ratchet up as he noted, “That's what we need.”
(Olindo Longo for BSJ)