New England Patriots Gameday: Oh Hunter Henry, where art thou?
All the talk through the first two weeks of the 2022 NFL season has been the absence of Kendrick Bourne from the New England Patriots offense. But as Bourne works his way back into the offense, another key target for Mac Jones has been almost non-existent.
Where in the world is Hunter Henry?
With just two catches for 20 yards, all that coming in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins, the pass-catching tight end has been a ghost in the Patriots’ offense, at least in the passing game.
Coming off an inaugural season with the Patriots in which he morphed into one of the go to guys for Jones, Henry was expected to have an even bigger season in Year 2. So far this season, that connection has seemingly taken a step back.
New England Patriots have to find a way to get Hunter Henry involved
Is it due to the new offensive approach or is it due to Henry playing more of a pass protection role given the early struggles of the offensive line? Whichever is the case, the big target is too talented not to get involved in the passing game. Like Bourne, Henry is just being patient and knows his time will come.
"“It’s going to come man, I’m not worried about it,” Henry said during an appearance on WEEI on Monday, via Boston.com. “We’re all working through things offensively, and we were able to string a lot of good rives together yesterday [Sunday].“It’ll all play itself out. Just here to do my role and be a part of the team, whatever they ask me to do.”"
While fellow tight end Jonnu Smith also have not gotten off to a blazing start, the New England Patriots tight end duo need to be the players the team paid them to be prior to the 2021 NFL season. If Mac Jones could get them both playing up to their capability at the same time, this Patriots offense will have the ability to be a very potent one.
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That all starts with getting Hunter Henry involved more in the passing game. As he went on to highlight, just because the numbers aren’t there doesn’t mean the tight ends aren’t producing. Coming out in two tight end sets, both Henry and Smith have been asked to do other things to help the team win.
"“Sometimes it can look like we didn’t do anything, but sometimes we’re running to spots, opening guys up, doing different things like that,” Henry continued. “It’s a complete team game on offense. We need everybody in the right spots, especially on all different routes, and they all correlate. They all work together.”"
In concluding, the New England Patriots offense is a work in progress. The playmakers are there, but it’s up to Matt Patricia and Joe Judge to figure out how to use them in ways that will maximize what each of them bring to the table.
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Whether it’s Henry, Smith or DeVante Parker, the offense will become much better when those players start making the plays, they are capable of.
That of course will make Mac Jones a better quarterback. Starting Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens, it’s time for Henry to show up. There is no better time to do that than the home opener at Gillette Stadium.
It’s gameday.