Giardi: Patriots rookie WR Kayshon Boutte making a real push showing more speed and savvy

One of the Patriots' most talked about players the last couple has been Kayshon Boutte. The rookie started training camp slowly but began to come on in the latter stages of week two. He had a nondescript preseason debut, admitting to us that the game was a little faster than he expected. Boutte also critiqued his own play, pointing to his blocking as subpar.

Well guess what? The former LSU product was productive in joint practices with the Packers, then - unlike last time - carried that momentum over into the game. He had just two catches for 49 yards, but one of those grabs went for a touchdown. Boutte played faster. He played with more confidence. He blocked. He made a bigger impression on me than I had at first blush.

Here's a breakdown of his snaps via the coaches film:

FIRST SERIES

1st & 10 (25) - Run

2 & 10 (25) -  Go route on the short side of the field, out of twins. CB Keiondre Thomas was sitting on him running a comeback, but adjusted and never lost a step, running even with him. Can already tell you Boutte’s play speed improved from the jump.

3 & 10 (25) - Skinny post. Safety was helping over the top. Play broke down. Bailey Zappe scrambled to that side and nearly got picked off.

SECOND SERIES

1st & 10 (15) - Screen to his side. Nice stalk block of Thomas.

2nd & 1 (24) - Run. Good initial contact on block with Thomas.

1st & 10 (30) - Runs a dig or an over from the wide side out of twins. DB gave him way too much cushion and he is open, briefly, before ending up between a pair of defenders. Play went to hell, and Zappe dumped it down to Taylor.

2nd & 2 (38) - Zappe sacked. Penalty on GB for illegal contact.

3rd & 2 (38) - Go route. Hatcher is all over him. 

1st & 10 (43) - Screen. Zappe spikes it. Boutte running a clear out

2nd & 10 (43) - Outside receiver in wide slot. Post vs single high. Never the primary. Zappe doesn’t look that way. He is open.

3rd & 10 (43) - A little in, stop and go. Hatcher squats on the route and the two collide. DPI. Well done by Boutte. His sudden stop and start left Thomas flat-footed, leading to the flag.

1st & 10 (42) - Not in

2nd & 10 (42) - Looks like he makes an alignment adjustment pre-snap. What I like about the slant is that it appears he isn’t going full throttle, almost as if he’s seeking out the space. CB weirdly reacts to throw. Safety is out of position. Out runs the linebacker to the end zone.

SECOND HALF/FOURTH SERIES

1st & 10 (9) - Lazy attempt at a stalk block.

2nd & 10 (9) - Out of a tight formation, short side. Nice read vs zone. Sits down in front of the safety and just wide enough of the linebacker to not put the throw at risk. Easy pitch and catch. There’s actual “feel” in the route, even though it’s a simple one.

1st & 10 (20) - Run away from him

2nd & 7 (23) - Inside receiver in bunch. Short zone cut. He’s open, but the first read and quick throw is to Cunningham. Crappy throw by Zappe

3 & 7 (23) - Wide slot. Outside receiver… Inside release into single high. Ball is out quick to opposite side. CB Carrington Valentine called or holding on Malik Cunningham.

1st & 10 ( 37) - Tight formation on tight end side. Runs into coverage. Ball out to the opposite side.

2nd & 4 (43) - Wide slot left. Run opposite side.

1st & 10 (+42) - Trips left. Quick stop. Zappe never looked. Ball to the opposite side.

BOTTOM LINE

On my last roster projection, I did not have Boutte making the 53. If he continues to improve as he did between week 1 and week 2 of the preseason, I won't be able to leave him off again. He looked like a different receiver than the one I watched against Houston. He was decisive and played in a higher gear. Could the Patriots have found not one, but two rookie wide recievers to make this year's team? That would be the upset of the century - considering their past history at the position - but as every day goes by, it feels like we're getting closer to meeting that reality.