Patriots gridiron news: Riley McCarron looking to be the next big find
Like Braxton Berrios, Riley McCarron is looking to become the next little player to make a big impact for the New England Patriots.
The New England Patriots are in search of a new playmaker or two. With wide receiver Julian Edelman facing a possible four-game suspension due to use of a banned substance, the team hopes to find the next big thing.
Well, the next little big thing when it comes to 5-foot-9 receiver Riley McCarron. A former undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans, the Patriots signed McCarron off the Texans’ practice squad last season to their own practice squad.
While McCarron never got an opportunity on the 53-man roster, he got to watch a player like Danny Amendola all season long. And so far thru OTAs and now the mandatory minicamp, he got to watch and learn from Edelman up close and personal.
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In summary, the Iowa product has a chance to turn what he learned from those players into an opportunity to turn heads during his second season with the Patriots. He has a chance to at least make a case that he is an option at the slot receiver position and he is embracing that opportunity.
"“I’m just trying to carve out a role,” McCarron said following minicamp, as transcribed by MassLive. “Obviously there’s been a great group of guys out here in the past. Like I said, I’m just trying to learn and trying to carve out a role.”"
As is typically the case entering New England Patriots training camp, there will be a lot of competition, especially for a player like Riley McCarron who is out to prove he deserves a spot on the 53-man roster. He is one of a talented group of receivers competing for five, possible six spots at the wide receiver position.
"“We’ve got an awesome group of guys,” McCarron said. “Any time I can pick their brains and just watch how they go running their routes or any kind of techniques they’re using. I just try to learn as much as I can just to help myself out.”"
There is a challenging path ahead for Riley McCarron, but feeling more comfortable in his surroundings, he may just find a way to become a favorite target of one Tom Brady.
Jordan Matthews has a greater opportunity
While unproven players like Riley McCarron and Braxton Berrios are out to show they have what it takes to make the roster, a veteran player like Jordan Matthews is out to grow as a player.
That is the major reason Matthews decided to sign with the New England Patriots. With Julian Edelman facing the four-game suspension, an opportunity will open for Matthews to become the effective receiver he was during his tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles.
So far, thru mandatory minicamp, he is putting in the work both on and off the field. He spent some extra time catching the ball from Tom Brady and is also putting in extra time studying the complicated Patriots’ playbook.
He has also gotten accustomed to the playbook by playing Madden.
That’s right, the video game.
"“I’d heard those things,” Matthews said about the complication of the playbook. “And it’s crazy, I’ve played with the Patriots on ‘Madden’ before, and there’s, like, way more plays than any other team. So, I’m like, ‘Ok, it’s probably going to be a task coming in here. But at the same time I looked forward to it, and it’s something I’m just trying to continue to grow in.”"
Next: New England Patriots: How the Julian Edelman suspension affects the Patriots
While playing Madden is a lot different than real life, at least Jordan Matthews is approaching his opportunity with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots prepared and ready meet the challenge of growing within the system.