Tag: Kendrick Bourne

Kendrick Bourne revealed a substantial change for Mac Jones, Patriots offense

“Yeah we’re doing a lot of things different (with the offensive scheme),” Bill Belichick said.

It was easy to overlook a short answer from Bill Belichick during his press conference on Tuesday when he was asked about adjustments to the offensive system this offseason.

“Yeah, we’re doing a lot of things different,” Belichick said.

The response seemed like nothing more than a brush-off. He seemed to be briefly but broadly evading my question.

But he wasn’t. He was actually revealing more than he typically does. We now know things are changing in a big way after an interesting set of interviews with Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne at the 47th annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts Golf Classic this week,

“Joe Judge — our newest member, he’s doing a great job. Really just new terminology, new words,” Bourne told ESPN’s Mike Reiss during the charity event. “Football is football. It’s just about getting the new words in and the old words out. It’s just about applying my new abilities to the new system. I think he’s putting us in a position to be successful.”

Bourne said he’s been rushing the ball and “doing a lot of different things” in this new offense. If Belichick was dropping a subtle hint, Bourne was providing a flashing red sign: New England offense is in transition.

The Patriots have leaned on Josh McDaniels, their former offensive coordinator and current Las Vegas Raiders coach, for 13 seasons to run his offense. That offense was, roughly, his spin on the offense Belichick designed — but allowed pupils like McDaniels and Bill O’Brien to make their own. It sounds like the Patriots are doing that again.

It’s likely New England has gone back to Belichick’s offense. The Patriots are putting Judge at the forefront of installing that offense. Eventually, he and maybe Matt Patricia could get a shot at imprinting their mark on the offense — if they’re not already. New England is giving every indication that the offense, for now, is under the supervision of Belichick, Judge and Patricia.

No matter what playbook and what terminology and what system the Patriots teach, Bourne suggested his role is going to be familiar. He’s not entering totally new territory.

“(I’m playing) kind of the same role, just using me in a lot of different ways. But a lot more explosion,” Bourne told NESN’s Zack Cox. “I feel like I’m a lot stronger. I’m getting better as the years go on, man, and I’m just a lot more comfortable with New England. Just playing with a lot more confidence this year, so we’ll see how it goes. I’m excited.”

The obvious question is how this transition will impact quarterback Mac Jones. The team, as mentioned, is replacing their offensive leadership. Jones is facing some turnover on the offensive line, with the team set to replace Shaq Mason and Ted Karras with Michael Onwenu and Cole Strange. And now, he’ll be learning new verbiage and a new system.

That’s a lot to throw at a second-year quarterback. His response should be fascinating.

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Kendrick Bourne has an honest assessment of rookie Tyquan Thornton

Kendrick Bourne shared his first impression of Tyquan Thornton.

New England Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne gave his first impression of rookie wideout Tyquan Thornton, the team’s second-round draft choice.

Bourne and Thornton put in on-field work together for the first time at organized team activities on Monday in the team’s first practice session of the 2022 offseason. That’s where Bourne got to see Thornton, who was limited in practice during team drills. He was able, however, to participate in positional drills.

“Tyquan’s dope,” Bourne said after practice on Monday. “We gonna get some weight on my guy. But (Thornton) is blazing, though. … Good attitude, also. He’s bought in. You could tell he cares. And I think it was a dope pick, man. We need speed and we need to add that downfield threat, man. So, I think he gives us that part of the field.

“That’s another thing. You know, learning from him too — I can learn from him; he can learn from us. He’s in the right place. If he has the right attitude and applies himself, this type of place will take you to another level.”

Thronton went 50th overall in the 2022 draft after New England traded up to land him. He spent four years at Baylor where the 6-foot-2, 180-pound wideout logged 62 catches, 948 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final college season. With the team only completing 237 passes for 2,843 passing yards and 24 touchdowns, Thornton’s production was all the more impressive.

He joins a receiver group that includes Bourne, Jakobi Meyers, DeVante Parker, Nelson Agholor and Kristian Wilkerson among others.

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Former Alabama QB Mac Jones puts huge emphasis on nutrition and wellness

Despite making a Pro Bowl appearance as a rookie, Mac Jones will be in the race for Most Improved Player this season.

After a rookie campaign that concluded with a Pro Bowl appearance, [autotag]Mac Jones[/autotag] is ready to make a monumental jump in year two. The former Crimson Tide signal caller really put an emphasis on nutrition and wellness this off-season with wide receiver Kendrick Bourne saying, “He’s in the best shape of his life.”

Jones came into the NFL a little plump, as almost everyone has seen the viral photo of him smoking the cigar after beating Tennessee.

However, Jones has spent loads of time this off-season with New England Patriots strength and conditioning coach Moses Cabrera and with the team nutritionist Ted Harper.

“For me, cleaning up my diet — I’ve probably learned more this offseason than I ever have about my diet, sleep, nutrition, wellness, all that stuff. I’ve taken what I’ve learned that I feel will help me and applied it. Obviously, listening to Ted and everybody, following their plan, eating healthy, taking out a lot of the things that are bad for my diet,” Jones said.

While it has been important to cut off a lot of that body fat, Jones adds that it is also important to maintain a certain level of weight to absorb the blows he will take throughout the course of an NFL season.

On top of all of this, he has spent a lot of time with throwing coach Tom House, who spent a lot of time working with Tom Brady over the duration of his career. Jones is poised to have a massive breakout season in year two.

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Kendrick Bourne says he’s taking advantage of Bill Belichick’s increased time with the offense

“It’s just dope having his presence. It’s like: ‘Oh he’s watching so we gotta be perfect.'”

If coach Bill Belichick is going to favor one of the New England Patriots’ units — whether in practice or film sessions — he’s usually overseeing the defense. He has worked on offense, special teams and defense throughout the years but he is, of course, famous for being a defensive guru.

That’s why it’s interesting that Belichick spent most of Monday’s practice session, the team’s first period of organized team activities, hovering around offensive players and instructing them alongside his offensive coaching assistants, which includes Joe Judge (quarterbacks), Matt Patricia (offensive line), Troy Brown (receivers) and Vinnie Sunseri (running backs), among others.

Receiver Kendrick Bourne is loving it.

“He’s been more present helping us out. It’s new, so he just wants it to go a certain way. It’s just dope having his presence. It’s like: ‘Oh he’s watching so we gotta be perfect,'” Bourne told reporters Monday after practice. “But that’s just how he is: the discipline and who he is as a coach. It’s special because you don’t get that all the time. He’s a defensive guy. For as someone to just embrace it and taking the advantage of the time we’re going to get from him because it’s new but I enjoy it. I love the challenge and I love being challenged.”

Belichick is likely to help guide the offense amid turnover at the coaching spots, with Josh McDaniels leaving his post as offensive coordinator to coach the Las Vegas Raiders. He brought along three other offensive assistant coaches. So the offensive staff is adjusting in the wake of those departures. Apparently, that includes Belichick turning the defense over to Steve Belichick and Jerod Mayo so that the head coach can spend more time with the offense, including with second-year quarterback Mac Jones.

“Obviously (Belichick) is a great defensive mind, but he also has great offensive knowledge, they’re all helping out and making things really easy for us and just teaching us what they know,” Jones said Monday. “It’s been really good just to be able to stand up in the meetings and talk through things with everybody, and everyone’s on the same page, regardless of who’s talking or who’s saying what.”

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Kendrick Bourne says Mac Jones is ‘in the best shape of his life’

“He’ll just be able to endure more in the game and go through more.”

Mac Jones spent his rookie season learning not just the New England Patriots offense and how to lead it but also how to be a professional. The quarterback spent the offseason change his lifestyle — including his diet and workout routines — in an effort to be the best athlete he can be.

And it sounds like Jones is already enjoying the benefits. Receiver Kendrick Bourne said Jones is “just dominating in conditioning” workouts.

“I think he’s in the best shape of his life. I think he’s been here all offseason with (strength and conditioning coach) Moses (Cabrera). He looks really good. His stomach is gone,” Bourne said with a laugh during a meeting with the media on Monday, “and he looks really good. He’s definitely a pro’s pro. He’s definitely a lot more in shape than he ever was.”

The adjustment isn’t just about slimming down.

“He’ll just be able to endure more in the game and go through more,” Bourne said.

Jones discussed thie changes he’d made during a post-practice media session on Monday.

“It was just cleaning up my diet and I’ve learned more this offseason than I probably ever have about nutrition, sleep, wellness, all that stuff,” Jones said. “… At the same time, I need to maintain my weight and be able to take hits, so there’s a fine balance for every player, every player’s different and for me, I’ve definitely trimmed down on the body fat a little bit and I’ll get a chance to bulk back up before the season starts and be able to absorb the hits.

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Patriots release offseason workout video that will get fans excited

Mac Jones, Kendrick Bourne and Jakobi Meyers are featured in this offseason workout video.

The New England Patriots are heading into the summer with a young and energetic group, led by Mac Jones.

The second-year quarterback has been working tirelessly this offseason and he’s also becoming a huge presence in Boston. He’s led workouts this offseason with Kendrick Bourne, Jakobi Meyers, DeVante Parker and many other players. Bourne has created a huge lift in positive energy and this group is in tune, while really enjoying each other.

New England began its voluntary offseason workout program at the end of April and the team has been hard at work. The Patriots social media team put out a quick clip that had some moments from the workouts.

The team will begin voluntary OTAs on Monday.

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Kendrick Bourne shows love on Twitter for Patriots owner Robert Kraft

Kendrick Bourne gave Robert Kraft the highest praise for a team owner.

The 2022 New England Patriots team may not be loaded with the most talent in the league, but they surely have love for each other.

Mac Jones, Kendrick Bourne, Jakobi Meyers and Damien Harris are just some of the players who have shared a deep bond this offseason. They’ve spent time with offseason workouts and they’ve been have having a blast together at the Boston Celtics playoff games.

The Celtics battled all the way to Game 7 against the Milwaukee Bucks, and they pulled away with a series win that sent them to the Eastern Conference Finals. Jones, Bourne and Patriots owner Robert Kraft were among some of the Patriots members to show up at Game 7 in Boston.

Bourne gave some love to Kraft, as he named him the “best team owner in the game.”

Bourne was a huge addition to the Patriots last offseason and his trajectory is much higher entering 2022.

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Kendrick Bourne had the funniest reaction to Bill Belichick trading back in Round 1

Patriots fans can definitely relate to Kendrick Bourne’s response.

New England Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne had been waiting anxiously for the team’s pick at 21st overall on Day 1 of the NFL draft — and just like so many fans, Bourne was disappointed when he saw Bill Belichick trade out of that draft slot. The Patriots traded back, and picked up a pair of draft picks in the process. They then selected guard Cole Strange.

But in that slot at No. 21, Bourne absolutely lost it. He went nuts after waiting all night for the Patriots to pick — only to see that he’d have to wait even longer. Here’s a look at a snippet from his Youtube channel. You can see Mac Jones at the viewing party, and the QB seemed to be in the loop as to which players were going where in the draft.

I’m sure Patriots fans can relate to this response.

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DeVante Parker joins Mac Jones and teammates for Wednesday workout

DeVante Parker joined Patriots teammates for a workout on Wednesday.

With New England Patriots players conducting their own private offseason workouts, under the leadership of Mac Jones, a new face decided to join in on the fun. Wide receiver DeVante Parker was spotted at a workout that included quarterback Mac Jones, wide receivers Kendrick Bourne, Jakobi Meyers, and Nelson Agholor, and running back J.J. Taylor.

This particular workout took place on Wednesday, as the above group, with the exception of Parker, also threw together on Tuesday.

Parker figures to be a key piece of the Patriots offense, although it is unclear where exactly he will fit in the offense at this time. His acquisition could lead to reduced roles for some wide receivers on the roster.

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As for now, Parker is trying to build a rapport with his new quarterback and teammates ahead of the offseason workout program. The Patriots begin their offseason workout program on April 18.

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Instant analysis of the Patriots agreeing on a trade for WR DeVante Parker

The Patriots

The New England Patriots waited out the market — at some points testing the patience of its fanbase — but ultimately found a very good deal by agreeing to terms on a trade for Miami Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker.

New England will send a 2023 third-round pick in exchange for Parker and a 2022 fifth-rounder, according to multiple reports. That, in itself, is a really solid flip for the Patriots, who badly need help at receiver. And Parker, 29, isn’t so far off from when he posted 1,200 yards in 2019.

He doesn’t solve the Patriots’ problems at receiver. But he could make a big impact and at a low price. Parker is set to make up to $12.55 million over the next two years. That’s a little more than receiver Kendrick Bourne ($5 million per year) and substantially less than Nelson Agholor ($11 million per year).

Consider also that the Patriots’ 2023 third-rounder (about to be in the possession of the Dolphins) may not be far off from the draft selection they will get through the compensatory pick formula after the departure of cornerback J.C. Jackson in free agency. If New England continues to avoid the free agency market, the NFL will award them with a late third-rounder for 2023. So in a way, Jackson’s departure will almost pay for the addition of Parker.

But of course, the Dolphins wouldn’t have parted ways with Parker so readily if he was an invaluable player. Miami, after all, felt Parker was expendable after trading for Tyreek Hill and signing Cedric Wilson. Last season, Parker played just 10 games and had 40 catches for 515 yards for two touchdowns. That’s a substantial decline from 2019 when he had 72 catches for 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns. New England is betting it can reverse that trend. And it’s fair to imagine it can.

Parker likely fits into the offense as an outside receiver. With a big frame (6-foot-3, 210 pounds), his skills as a downfield threat — particularly on 50-50 balls — could complement Kendrick Bourne and Jakobi Meyers, who are possession receivers. Parker won’t change the offense, not in the same way that some of the top receivers in the NFL might. But, if he can return to form, he will absolutely be a boon for second-year quarterback Mac Jones.

The trade for Parker is likely — but not certain — to make the Patriots better on offense. Considering the cost of draft capital and salary costs, New England was smart to take a shot. And the Patriots would be wise to keep building at the position, perhaps taking a receiver high in the 2022 NFL draft.

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