Patriots gridiron news: Don’t count out Eric Decker just yet

The New England Patriots have a sudden problem at the wide receiver position and Eric Decker was brought in as a possible solution.  Unfortunately, he has struggled during practice.

Just because veteran wide receiver Eric Decker comes with experience does not mean he’s a lock to make the New England Patriots 53-man roster.  There is also no guarantee he’ll make an impact during the regular season even if he does win a roster spot.

We’ve seen this story before.  Joey Galloway, the player formerly known as “Ochocinco,” and recently Reggie Wayne.  Veteran receivers with a history of success stalling once they got to New England.

So, in theory, bringing in the 31-year-old Decker is a gamble.  There is a good chance he will join the list mentioned above.  There is just as much of a chance he’ll find enough revival in his game to help the offense when the games really count.

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Much of that will depend on the chemistry (if any) that he forms with Tom Brady.  So far, he has had the case of the drops in practice. But a lot of that could be attributed to learning a new system, especially since he is playing catchup after just recently signing with the team.

What Decker has on his side is his on-the-field resume.  Brady knows Decker’s skillset and knows what he is capable of.

"“The thing about him is I have watched him play a lot of football over the years,” Brady said following practice Tuesday.  “I feel like he’s been on the opposing sideline a lot.  When we’re game planning for him, I have watched a lot of hi.  I think he’s always been on great offenses.  He has to use his skill set, the one he’s learned and used for a long time.  He knows how to get open.  Now it is just about learning about what we do and how we do it, which is always a little different with how other teams may do it.”"

While Eric Decker is working hard to adjust to the New England Patriots playbook, he will have to show something in the final three preseasons games to prove he can be a value to the offense.

The coaches certainly know it could take some time with Decker.  Fans should allow him that time as well.  He simply has nothing left, it will play itself out on the field.  If he does, that will as well.  But, don’t count out the veteran wide receiver just yet.

Riley McCarron looking to come up big 

One of the players Eric Decker will have to beat out for a roster position is Riley McCarron.

At 5-foot-9, the product of Iowa has an opportunity to make the 53-man roster as a possible substitute for Julian Edelman and also as a punt returner.

Often compared to Wes Welker, McCarron has had the luxury of watching and learning from Edelman as well as Danny Amendola.  He didn’t do much in the first preseason game, but the fact that he has gotten some snaps with the first-string offense during camp shows he is a player who works hard or even harder due to his size.

As far as his knowledge of the offense, McCarron recognizes how big it was for him to take those snaps with the first unit.

"“Yeah, it was huge,” McCarron said, as transcribed by The Providence Journal.  “Just getting acclimated with the offense here and seeing how everything was run and seeing how these guys come out here and work every day, it’s been great.  There’s a great culture around here and it was fun to come out here with all these guys that work hard every day.”"

With the current wide receiver situation, Riley McCarron has a real opportunity to become the latest small receiver to make it big while wearing a New England Patriots uniform.

It will be interesting to see how the hard work translates on the field during the team’s second preseason matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday night.