12 catches.
93 yards.
Not a bad stat line for a high-volume possession wide receiver, right?
Unfortunately, the Patriots haven't had that guy in at least a half-dozen years (miss you, Julian), and those numbers were the combined totals of all five active wideouts from Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Steelers.
That was actually significantly more productive than the group was the week prior in Miami, when they totaled just seven receptions for 64 yards. The Pats need more productivity from this group, but how?
"I just think keep doing what they've been doing," Mike Vrabel said. "There's opportunities, and we just have to be able to find them when things are there. Again, make the plays that you're supposed to make. You can see that there's opportunities, whether that's an in-cut by Kayshon [Boutte] on the third-and-long, or inward-breaking routes by [Stefon] Diggs, those are all positive things.
"Again, you can track stats, we can track wins or separation, man coverage, and match. Again, there's one football. When the opportunities are there, just continue to make them."
It was hard not to think of Pop Douglas as Vrabel spoke. He's fourth on the team in total targets (11), tied with running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson. But Douglas has just five catches, rarely seems to be on the same page with Drake Maye, and failed to have the football sense on Sunday to knife forward and get 1 yard when the Pats needed to have it. He also ran the wrong route on the end zone interception.
Now that's not to say it's all Douglas' fault. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels designed a gem that sold the run with a puller, but instead it was a play-action pass using Douglas for the fake (he motioned into the backfield). He was all alone behind the line of scrimmage, and Maye had time to get it to him, but instead, the QB short-hopped the receiver. That was good for an easy 15, and considering the spacing, it could have been a whole lot more. Douglas also had a 17-yard gain erased because of a penalty (it was a blown HB screen and Mike Onwenu, among others, was way downfield), and was open on a crosser that Maye sailed over his head. But whatever the reason(s), the Pats are falling short when targeting the third-year pro, and there's an easy fix for that: put Stefon Diggs into the slot more, and either get Douglas off the field or give him a reduced role similar to the one he had in Miami.
Diggs has yet to bring any element of verticality into an offense that is struggling to find that (there were no passes attempted of more than 20 yards against Pittsburgh), and his attention to detail and occasional lack of effort certainly caught my attention over the first two weeks. But he has been a reliable target underneath, and has been where Maye wants him (13 catches on 15 targets). Plus, Diggs seemed to get the message that it's not just about catching the football in this offense for this head coach.
"...how well they play with the football or without the football," said Vrabel when discussing the wide receivers. "I think I saw a good example of Digg-Z [Stefon Diggs] there, helping Rhamondre spring him for a big play. Something that didn't happen in Miami, and was able to come back, adjust, take the coaching points, and get the look exactly how he needed it. Helped him spring for an explosive gain.
"Those are all positive things, and I know as receivers, they want to catch touchdowns, they want to catch the ball, but we've just got to continue to spread the ball around and take the football where it's supposed to go when it's supposed to go there, in timing, rhythm, and ball placement."
I don't know if this signals more playing time for Diggs and whether it will come at Douglas' expense, but that's where I'm leaning. There's also the Efton Chism card, but WR coach Todd Downing said just last week they're still teaching Chism how to play outside. Considering McDaniels likes positional versatility from his receivers, that felt like a tell that the rookie's time isn't here yet.
THUMBS UP
Hunter Henry remains Mr. Reliable. The tight end was the primary focus of the passing offense as McDaniels looked to exploit the slow-processing Steeler linebackers. He delivered, even after hurting his leg late in the second quarter. Henry has been the team's best pass catcher since he was signed in 2021, and no one appears close to wresting that title away from him. His availability could be in question this week, and we'll monitor that.
Kayshon Boutte needs the ball thrown his way more. Yeah, there isn't enough production there to warrant this, but Boutte had a huge third-and-long conversion and also drew a defensive pass interference. While Douglas has as many reps and more career catches from Maye than Boutte, the latter is the one the QB trusts the most.
Harold Landry can't stop and won't stop. I don't believe he weighs 250 pounds, as listed in the program, but I do think the Titans misused him a year ago and then insisted his best days were behind him. Sure, he's not 2021 Harold Landry, but this version remains relentless. His season-long prognosis might be improved were they able to spot him another series or so a game, but his motor never stops running.
May I reintroduce you to Robert Spillane. The player you saw on Sunday (15 tackles, INT) is the player I studied on tape during his time in Las Vegas and the one I saw this summer. Spillane is in the middle of everything, and versus the Steelers, he made all the tackles. Well, except for one, on Pitt's game-winning drive. He got caught a little flat-footed on a Jaylen Warren cutback, and it led to 15 yards.
Carlton Davis gave up a touchdown to D.K. Metcalf. So what? He traveled with Metcalf at times during the game, and in each of the last two weeks, has looked every bit the part of the player Vrabel and Company paid in free agency.
THUMBS DOWN
Rhamondre Stevenson. No need to say any more.
Antonio Gibson. Not like his RB roommate, but his fumble then forced the load to be put on TreVeyon Henderson's shoulders, and I don't think he was ready for that. He ran cautiously.
Pop Douglas. We've been over this.
Drake Maye. The two turnovers don't totally negate his accuracy and his use of his legs once outside the pocket, but he sped up and made a couple of bad decisions with the game hanging in the balance.
Christian Ellis and Alex Austin both got "benched." That's not to say they were banished forever, but Elliss missed a couple of tackles and overran a couple of plays, losing PT to Jack Gibbens and Marte Mapu. Austin got picked on to start the game, had poor technique, and was pushed to the pine in favor of waiver-wire pickup Charles Woods.
The entirety of the offensive line as run blockers. It wasn't quite as bad as week one, but they wanted to build off their wide zone action from last week (for what it meant to the pass). It wasn't happening. The backs had 22 carries for 74 yards against a run defense that was riding the struggle bus coming in. This group is better than that.
Will Campbell had five total pressures allowed by my count, and a couple of others that could have been worth a halfsie. Based on how the rookie looked in Miami, I thought this was a good matchup for him against backup Nate Herbig. I thought wrong. Herbig's speed gave him fits, and he got him cleanly twice on inside moves that go back to the scouting report I have you on him coming out of LSU. He also got it from Vrabel for being slow to react on a crack toss.
POWER RANKINGS
1. Philadelphia (3-0) - Jalen Hurts threw to A.J. Brown. I repeat, Hurts threw to Brown, and it worked.
2. Buffalo (3-0) - Still wonder about their interior defensive line and those safeties, but they have Josh Allen, and he's better than everyone else.
3. LA Chargers (3-0) - Justin Herbert is dealing, and that defense has been a nightmare for opponents so far. I thought they were going to take a step back. I was wrong.
4. Detroit (2-1) - Dan Campbell has them believing. That win in Baltimore is one of the best victories of this early season.
5. Tampa Bay (3-0) - 3 games, 3 final drive wins. Probably can't keep living this way, but Baker Mayfield doesn't seem to mind.
6. Indianapolis (3-0) - Danny Dimes is getting all the love, but Jonathan Taylor is playing like the best back in the league.
7. LA Rams (2-1) - Close but no cigar in Philly.
8. Green Bay (2-1) - The Packers lost to Joe Flacco and the Browns. So much for that perfect season.
9. Baltimore (1-2) - That defense is looking toothless so far.
10. Seattle (2-1) - San Fran is 3-0, but I like the Seahawks better right now. Mike Macdonald has that defense tuned up.
Bottom Dwellers
28. NY Giants (0-3) - They aren't the worst, but they aren't good either. It's Dart time.
29. Miami (0-3) - They didn't quit on their coach. He's got that going for him, which is nice.
30. Carolina (1-2) - I know what they did to Atlanta. I think it was a one-off. They stink.
31. New Orleans (0-3) - The Saints got smashed. Poor Kellen Moore might have to wait a long time to get his first career win.
32. Tennessee (0-3) - They are the worst. I hope Brian Callahan is renting.
