Why Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne is the offensive X-factor vs Dolphins
What will help the New England Patriots get off and rolling against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season? A locked in and rejuvenated Kendrick Bourne.
While Mac Jones, the offensive line and other factors will get things flowing in the right direction, Bourne is a player coming off a solid season who was expected to have an even more career year in 2022.
That talk pretty much died down this offseason when Bourne found himself in the doghouse for an uninspiring training camp. Coming off a season in which he caught 55 passes for 800 yards and 5 touchdowns, what happened with Bourne? Why did he struggle, and more importantly what has triggered a disconnect between the young wide receiver and the Patriots?
Kendrick Bourne the biggest critic of the New England Patriots new offensive strategy
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer shed some light on that during an appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak & Bertrand” show this past Thursday.
"“I think he was one of the primary ‘what the hell is this?’ guys from the spring and summer,” Breer revealed. “My feeling on it was he was one of the guys who was sort of questioning the plan and questioning what was going on there. I had said before – some of the questioning of what they’re doing offensively was internal, and I certainly think that that was the case with him. Has he gotten over it? I’m not sure.”"
Bourne was obviously one of the players who flourished with Josh McDaniels as the offensive coordinator, so it makes a lot of sense why he would be questioning the Patriots new change in offensive philosophy, especially considering Bill Belichick’s decision not to go with a traditional offensive coordinator to replace McDaniels.
But that could change with more reps and more familiarity with what the team is trying to do. With the chemistry he formed with Mac Jones in 2021, he is a playmaker the Patriots’ offensive need to get things going, especially Week 1 vs the Dolphins.
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With emphasis on newcomer DeVante Parker as well as Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, Bourne could find himself as the primary target in this game if he has bought in and utilized the way he was last season.
Whether it is jet sweeps, wide receiver screens or short slant passes, Kendrick Bourne has proven to be a target for Mac Jones who can make things happen in the open field. Again, as long as he is engaged and motivated, he will and should be a factor in this Week 1 matchup vs the Dolphins. I would say the biggest X factor against an aggressive and eager Dolphins defense that may be exposed for some big plays.
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Coming off an underwhelming offseason with some trade rumors mixed in, it will be a fitting story if Bourne exploded to help jolt the New England Patriots offense. Quite frankly, Mac Jones needs him to be that versatile wide receiver with the big smile that he was a season ago.