Pop Douglas staying ready despite early lack of targets
New England Patriots wide receiver Pop Douglas didn’t get thrown the ball in Week 2, after seeing just three targets in the opener.
The New England Patriots’ passing game has been slow to get going this season. Among teams that have already played two games to start the season the Patriots have the third-fewest passing yards (270) ahead of only the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers, and fourth-fewest completions (30).
Even when the Patriots have thrown the ball, it hasn’t been to their wide receivers. Three of their top four players in terms of targets through two games are two tight ends and a running back with K.J. Osborn (eight targets) the only exception.
Part of the reason that is surprising is this season was expected to be a breakout year for second-year receiver Pop Douglas. Douglas was the team’s leading receiver last year as a rookie, catching 49 passes for 561 yards in 14 games.
Early on Douglas has yet to build on that rookie performance. He was targeted just three times in the opener catching two passes for 12 yards. In Week 2 against Seattle he was held without a target.
Last year, Douglas was targeted once every 4.2 routes run, per PFF. This year, he’s at one target per every 15 routes through two games. On Monday, Douglas was asked if it’s challenging not seeing the ball as much so far.
“Very. Very challenging. But – on to the next game,” Douglas said.
Asked if there’s anything he and the other receivers can do to open things up more, Douglas said he feels the group is putting in good work right now and just needs to be ready when the opportunities come. “Things happen for a reason. And whenever my time is ready [I’m] going to show ’em,” Douglas said. Asked if he feels like he’s been able to show what he can do, Douglas replied “last year, not this year.”
“I’m a competitor. I love when the ball is in my hands,” he added. “When my time comes, it’s gonna come.”
That time could be coming sooner rather than later. Mayo acknowledged after the game the coaching staff needs to do a better job of getting Douglas involved. “We have to get him going,” Mayo said. “We have to scheme up some things for him. He’s one of our most explosive players, and that’s on us as coaches to put it together.”
Then on Monday Mayo was asked what potential adjustments he’s discussed with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, and Douglas came up again.
“[Van Pelt] understands that we’ve got to get some of these other players, Pop [Douglas] in particular, involved more on the offense,” Mayo noted.
The Patriots will need to get those adjustments in quicky. There’s a quick turnaround before the next game, which is this Thursday night in New York against the Jets.
