Tag: Kendrick Bourne

Should Titans inquire about trade for Pats WR Kendrick Bourne?

The Titans should be looking to add a wide receiver ahead of the trade deadline and Kendrick Bourne could be available.

It’s no secret that the Tennessee Titans’ wide receivers room isn’t exactly a group of world-beaters at the moment.

This unit could use all the help it can get, especially with the recent loss of rookie wideout Treylon Burks, who is out at least three more games due to a turf toe injury.

Naturally, any competent receiver that’s rumored to be on the trading block is going to intrigue a large portion of this fanbase.

That’s exactly what happened when a ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that multiple teams have been inquiring about the availability of New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne.

The New England pass-catcher has had a pedestrian campaign thus far, catching only 11 passes for 156 yards through the first six weeks of the season.

Bourne’s overall role within the offense is seemingly diminishing by the week. He has only been targeted once per game over the last two games, while also appearing in just six percent of the offense’s snaps in Week 6.

Also, according to the Sports Info Solutions data, the Eastern Washington Product is currently the fourth-most targeted wide receiver on his own team behind Jakobi Meyers, Devante Parker, and Nelson Agholor.

This is an extremely shocking development considering the Oregon native had a career year just a season ago. Bourne set and/or tied his career-highs in receptions (55), yards (800), and touchdowns (five) during his first season in New England.

It remains to be seen how serious the Patriots are about potentially moving on from Bourne. However, a deal seems realistically possible from the outside looking in, and the Titans should be interested.

The veteran wideout signed a reasonable three-year, $15 million deal with the Pats last offseason. However, he only has about a season and a half of that deal remaining.

The Titans would be on the hook for what’s left of Bourne’s $3.5 million 2022 base salary, and if things don’t work out, the Titans can get out of Bourne’s 2023 $4.75 million base salary with a $1.4 million dead cap charge.

The expected trade compensation is most likely going to be something equivalent to a mid-to-late-round pick(s). It should also be noted that Tennessee is already short of a fourth-round selection next spring.

Therefore, if they’re going to part ways with another mid-to-late-round pick, they have to do everything possible to make sure they make the most out of the trade, especially when the middle rounds seem to be where the team has the most success when it comes to identifying talent through the draft.

Should a move like this occur, it wouldn’t be the first time Jon Robinson makes a significant in-season move to help a deficient position group. Most recently back in 2020, the Titans exchanged a sixth-round pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for disgruntled cornerback Desmond King.

Before the deal, King’s name had been rumored in trade discussions, similarly to the way that Bourne’s name is being brought up now.

If the Titans decide to make a move for the sixth-year wideout, they have to make sure they’re confident in their ability to maximize his talents to the fullest potential.

These draft picks are more than one-year investments. You can’t be throwing them away out of desperation unless you’re completely sold on the player you’re getting and/or the potential value is way too good to pass up.

If Tennessee feels it has a legitimate present and future with Bourne, then by all means, the team should be doing everything possible to explore a fair trade for all parties involved.

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Trade interest reportedly heating up for two Patriots receivers

Will the Patriots make a move before the November 1 trade deadline?

Fans might not like the New England Patriots’ receiver situation, but there are clearly teams around the league eager to get their hands on at least two players on the roster.

In a round-up of trade conversations, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted the Patriots had received multiple calls from teams inquiring about the availability of wideout Kendrick Bourne.

Despite racking up the second-most receiving yards for the team in 2021, Bourne has experienced a considerable slump so far this season. At one point, he wasn’t even getting on the field, and he has yet to find the end zone.

Through six games, he only has 11 receptions for 156 yards. And yet, according to Fowler, the Patriots have leaned towards keeping him on the roster.

Fowler wrote:

“Multiple teams have called the New England Patriots about wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, a talented run-after-catch guy with a reasonable $3.5 million salary. The Patriots have been inclined to keep him, but teams have a few weeks to change their minds.”

It shouldn’t be hard to pique the interest of coach Bill Belichick with the right offer. He just loves wheeling and dealing at this time of the season.

It isn’t just Bourne receiving trade interest, either.

According to Fowler, Nelson Agholor’s name is also coming up in trade conversations. The Patriots have been banged up at the receiver position, and with the team finally getting back to .500 win percentage, they might be better off keeping their roster intact for a possible playoff run.

However, Agholor, who is playing on an expiring deal, would be the most likely trade candidate considering Bourne is still under contract for the 2023 season. The fact that Bourne could return with a cap hit of less than $7 million should also be enticing for a Patriots team that could lose Jakobi Meyers in free agency.

The struggling wideout could still very much factor into the Patriots’ future plans.

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The Morning After: Win in Cleveland sets Patriots up for run

The Patriots have positioned themselves to go on a run with Mac Jones close to returning

The New England Patriots improved to 3-3 with a 38-15 victory over the Cleveland Browns with rookie Bailey Zappe leading the way for the second straight week.

Zappe had the best game of his early career throwing 24-of-34 for 309 yards and two touchdowns. Many expect starter Mac Jones to return next week against the 2-4 Chicago Bears and second-year QB Justin Fields on Monday Night Football. With Jones possibly ready to return next week and Zappe showing command leading the Patriots to two straight wins, there could be room for speculation if the Patriots want to ride the hot hand, especially considering how Jones struggled early in the 2022 season.

However, I believe this is Jones’ team, and the reason for the early struggles was new play-callers and a new offensive line scheme that was going through some growing pains.

Jones should return just as this offense is clicking and will be ready to take this team on a run as the Patriots find themselves with some favorable matchups over the next month. Zappe was incredible and proved to be a great selection for what his role is; an emergency backup/spot starting quarterback for when the franchise QB is forced to miss time.

Injuries piling up for Patriots in Sunday’s game vs. Browns

The injuries are beginning to pile up for the Patriots.

Update: Christian Barmore has been downgraded to out with a knee injury. 

The New England Patriots clearly haven’t seen an end to the injury bug plaguing their team in Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.

Defensive tackle Christian Barmore was taken to the locker room in the second quarter to be evaluated for a knee injury. The team announced he was questionable to return.

His potential absence would be a big problem for the Patriots considering they came into the game without Lawrence Guy up front.

Wideout Kendrick Bourne is also questionable to return with a toe injury. That should heap even more work on rookie receiver Tyquan Thornton’s plate, along with DeVante Parker and Jakobi Meyers. Nelson Agholor was downgraded to out on Saturday with a hamstring injury.

But it hasn’t ended there for the Patriots. Standout special-teamer Cody Davis also exited with a knee injury and was immediately ruled out for the game.

The injuries are beginning to pile up with the team already playing without starting quarterback, Mac Jones, and lead running back Damien Harris.

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Way too early look at where things stand with the Patriots’ impending 2023 free agents

Here’s a way too early look at where things stand with the Patriots’ impending 2023 free agents

Although the New England Patriots’ season is far from over, it’s always important to look ahead to the future, and the team currently has 20 free agents slated for 2023, with cornerback Myles Bryant being the only one restricted.

The Patriots went on a major spending spree in the 2021 offseason and are currently projected to have a little over $54 million to spend. However, there are some players on this list they’ll need to pay for.

Let’s take a look at their projected contracts and which players will most likely hit the open market in the spring.

Bill Belichick comments on Kendrick Bourne, following sideline argument

Bill Belichick comments on Kendrick Bourne’s standing with the team.

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick supported wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, following the team’s 29-0 win over the Detroit Lions.

The two were shown having an animated sideline conversation during the first quarter of Sunday’s game. Nevertheless, it appears that nothing major came of it. The coach publicly supported his wide receiver during his weekly radio appearance on The Greg Hill Show.

Bourne has had a down year to this point. He has caught 10 passes for 139 yards. His best game came against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3, when he caught four passes for 58 yards.

“I love KB,” Belichick said. “He’s very passionate about the game, his performance, the team—works hard and has helped us and will help us. It’s great to have him on the field because he’s an explosive player. He’s one of our key guys in the passing game. We’re always working to try to improve, do things better, and nobody works harder at it than KB. He always practices hard, works hard in practice. And I don’t think that’ll change. That’s just who he is. He loves football, and he competes well.”

It will be intriguing to see exactly what his role is in the offense as the season progresses. In a year of uncertainty for the wide receiver, Bill Belichick still has his back.

But will it translate to production on the field?

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Video emerges of Bill Belichick and Kendrick Bourne sideline argument

Here’s the video of Bill Belichick and Kendrick Bourne’s sideline argument

There were many interesting subplots in the New England Patriots’ victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. One subplot in particular was the sideline interaction between coach Bill Belichick and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne.

Bourne has had a rough 2022 season to this point. From being benched during the preseason, to not playing much in the team’s opening game against the Miami Dolphins, it has been a bumpy road for the wide receiver. He still played 33 snaps on Sunday, a number that was good for fourth-most on the team. He would finish the game with one catch for one yard.

It will be intriguing to see if Bourne’s snap count goes up, as the Patriots continue to figure out how to best implement him into the offense.

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4 Takeaways from Patriots’ 29-0 dismantling of Lions

Here are 4 main takeaways from the Patriots’ performance on Sunday

The New England Patriots, clad in their classic red Pat Patriot getup, sent the No. 1 ranked Detroit Lions offense through the woodchipper on Sunday, holding them scoreless throughout the duration of the contest.

It was running back Rhamondre Stevenson and wide reciever Jakobi Meyers leading the way for New England’s offense all game, with Stevenson rushing for 161 yards and Meyers catching seven receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown.

While the Patriots were still without starting quarterback Mac Jones, rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe looked comfortable in his stead, throwing for a solid 188 yards and a touchdown, while also adding an interception.

Here are four takeaways from Sunday’s matchup.

3 standout stars for Patriots in Week 4 loss to Packers

Three rookies had standout performances in the Patriots’ Week 4 Loss to the Packers

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The New England Patriots stumbled into Lambeau field to face off against the 2-1 Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers. Prior to the game, the Patriots found out they would be without starting QB Mac Jones, WR Jakobi Meyers, and defensive starters, DT Lawrence Guy and CB Jalen Mills.

With this news, the Patriots named veteran QB Brian Hoyer the starter. Shortly into the game, Hoyer left with an apparent head injury that forced rookie QB and 2022 fourth-round draft pick Bailey Zappe into action from then on out. WR Kendrick Bourne saw more snaps with Meyers out of commission, and rookie CB Jack Jones filled in for Mills.

The Patriots ultimately fell to Rodgers and the Packers 27-24 off a last-second field goal in overtime. Let’s take a look at the three stars of the game for New England (1-3) in their loss against Green Bay (3-1).

Bill Belichick explains why Lil’Jordan Humphrey had more snaps than Kendrick Bourne

Bill Belichick detailed why Lil’Jordan Humphrey got more snaps than Kendrick Bourne against the Ravens

The rollercoaster involving New England Patriots wide receiver Kenrick Bourne continued in Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. Bourne saw the field for just 18 snaps, as the mystery surrounding his playing time kept on going.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick gave an explanation on the veteran wideout’s lack of playing time. He indicated it was more based on scheme fit. However, there is no denying that the wide receiver was a key part of the Patriots offense last year, when catching 55 passes for 800 yards and five touchdowns.

The 2022 season has been a different one for Bourne. He has only caught seven passes for 115 yards to this point in the year.

Lil’Jordan Humphrey playing 54 snaps was a big take away from Sunday’s game. Belichick elaborated on this on “The Greg Hill Show,” as transcribed by ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

Whatever the case may be, it sounds as though Bourne does not fit into the Patriots offensive plans currently. It will be interesting to see if he is in for a bigger role as the season goes on.

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