Patriots Coach Indirectly Calls Out Receivers For Social Media Complaints
The Patriots have an incredibly sensitive and dramatic group of wide receivers, which isn’t totally uncommon in the NFL.
It’s one of the biggest tropes in the league with the term “diva wide receiver” used to describe the likes of Michael Irvin, Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham Jr. and hundreds of others over the last three decades. New England’s group isn’t nearly as talented as those guys, but sure seem hell bent on creating problems like they are.
Ja’Lynn Polk got the party started with a since-deleted post after he failed to catch any of his three targets from Drake Maye in Sunday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. K.J. Osborn reposted a screen shot that depicted his own frustrations. Kayshon Boutte admitted he’s started demanding the ball, despite averaging a whopping one catch per game across two seasons.
DeMario Douglas, Tyquan Thornton and Javon Baker aren’t off the hook, either, as they’ve each taken exception with their usage at different points throughout the young season.
Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt was asked about the disgruntled unit, and essentially called them out on their own… stuff.
“I think we all understand we’re frustrated,” Van Pelt told reporters, per Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. “… I think that group in particular has to keep its focus inward.”
“We had a really great team meeting this morning where that was pointed out. Obviously, at 1-6, it’s not good enough across the board, any of us. We need to be better,” Van Pelt told reporters, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “We need to work harder. We need to rehab harder. We have to refresh better. We have to take care of ourselves. We have to spend more time in the room. Good meeting this morning demanding more of everybody across the board, and those guys are included.”
The Patriots’ coaching staff has been on the receiving end of immense amounts of criticism for “not taking accountability” for the on-field product, but at the end of the day, the receiver room’s persistent whining is kind of ridiculous. Randy Moss could only get away with it for so long in New England, so what makes a guy like Boutte think he’s earned the right to demand the ball?
Jalen Reagor was released for his social media stunt earlier this season, which set the precedent New England wouldn’t tolerate that type of behavior. Polk, Osborn, Boutte, Douglas, Baker and Thornton are pushing the limits, however, and were rightfully called out for it — although it was pretty indirect.
Just be more like Kendrick Bourne, guys. He doesn’t cause any trouble.