Tag: Kendrick Bourne

Kendrick Bourne peels back curtain with video from Patriots’ workout in L.A.

An interesting look into the L.A. workouts.

New England Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne posted a video from his workout in Los Angeles with quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Cam Newton, tight ends Hunter Henry and Matt LaCossee and receivers Nelson Agholor, N’Keal Harry and Jakobi Meyers, among others.

The video shows some of what the group worked on, whether it was cone drills, route-running drills or throwing and pass-catching work. We heard from their on-site coach, T. J. Houshmandzadeh, a former NFL receiver turned trainer. And we got a peak into Stidham’s feedback for the receivers. There doesn’t seem to be much in the way of video from Newton’s work — he showed up a day late.

Here’s a quick look at what Bourne allowed us to see from that workout.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9bu5k90Bw8

Pretty interesting, right?

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Kendrick Bourne shares video of Cam Newton coaching the WR in workout

Kendrick Bourne is working out with Cam Newton

New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne thinks quarterback Cam Newton can get back to playing at a high level. It appears they’re already working well together. He posted a video on Twitter on Friday showing he was working out with the quarterback.

Bourne has been a part of several workouts with Patriots quarterbacks over the past couple of weeks. He is eager to learn, and has enlisted the help of quarterback Jarrett Stidham to help learn the playbook. He has been very active since signing with New England, and seems eager to learn the offense as quickly as possible.

Much like he has been learning from Stidham, Friday’s video showed he is learning from Newton as well.

As a new face in the organization, Bourne is certainly doing his homework as he plans to be a factor in the offense.

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ESPN analyst says Patriots had the ‘most head-scratching move’ of free agency

His logic isn’t terrible on this one.

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The New England Patriots made the most headlines during the first week of free agency without question.

Typically, Bill Belichick stays quiet at the beginning of free agency and he makes his moves when the dust settles. Without Tom Brady at the helm and with a ton of money at Belichick’s disposal, he played it differently this season. New England immediately spent big money on Jonnu Smith, Matthew Judon and Hunter Henry. The Patriots also were uncharacteristic in giving big contracts to wide receivers Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne.

New England signed Agholor on a two-year deal that could be worth up to $24 million, with $7 million due in 2021 and $15 million in 2022. The 27-year-old is coming off his best season with 48 catches for 896 yards and eight touchdowns. Bourne signed a three-year deal for $22.5 million and he’s coming off his best season with 49 catches for 667 yards and two touchdowns.

ESPN analyst Mike Clay believes the Patriots made the ‘most head-scratching’ move of free agency.

The Patriots overpaying role-playing wide receivers. Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne are fine No. 3 or No. 4 options on most teams. But New England seemed to misjudge a soft wide receiver market by committing $16 million to the inconsistent Agholor (more than Will Fuller V and Marvin Jones Jr.earned, among others) and $5 million to Bourne (more than John Brown, Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams agreed to, among others).

Considering the players the Patriots could’ve targeted for these prices, it’s really difficult to believe Agholor and Bourne were the best players available. But, now it’s up to Belichick and Josh McDaniels to prove why they have one of the best coaching staffs in the business.

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What Wes Welker and Jimmy Garoppolo told Kendrick Bourne about the Patriots

A few 49ers told Kendrick Bourne what to expect in New England.

Kendrick Bourne admitted to having a few misconceptions about the New England Patriots heading into free agency, but after he signed with his new team, he heard from a few former Patriots, who filled Bourne in on some of the ins and outs of the organization.

Bourne, who started his career with the San Francisco 49ers, got in touch with 49ers receivers coach Wes Welker and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

“They told me practices are hard. You’re going to get tested every day with the playbook, stuff like that,” Bourne said in Monday’s video call with reporters.

Welker told Bourne: “Great place, great decision.”

Bourne is joining a large free agency class that includes receiver Nelson Agholor and tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry. There will be plenty of talented players who are adjusting to New England’s culture.

Quarterback Cam Newton, for now, seems to be at the center of this new-look offense. But Bourne’s arrival didn’t stop some from wondering whether the Patriots might be interested in acquiring Garoppolo, who got his NFL start in New England but whose standing with the 49ers is shaky. Garoppolo and Bourne developed a rapport in San Francisco.

“Jimmy, cool guy, man. Had a great relationship with him,” Bourne said. “He said his experience in New England was awesome. He didn’t really expect the trade to happen or anything like that, but said his experience there was awesome, learned a lot, developed as a player better, as a man, and I’m just excited.”

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Kendrick Bourne believes Cam Newton will ‘ball out’ in 2021

Kendrick Bourne spoke in support of Cam Newton on Monday.

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Heading into the 2021 season, one of the newest New England Patriots wide receivers has faith in quarterback Cam Newton. Kendrick Bourne, who signed with New England in free agency, believes Newton can turn it around for 2021.

After struggling in the passing game last season, Newton may have a chance to redeem himself this season. Buoyed by a new group of wide receivers, a revamped its passing game may prove to help the quarterback.

Speaking to the media in his introductory video conference on Monday, Bourne threw his support behind Newton. He believes Newton will be able to play at a high level. The wide receiver indicated that a new group of weapons could be a big factor  in a possible bounce-back season.

“I think he’s going to ball out,” the newly signed wide receiver said Monday in his introductory video conference. “With the weapons they brought in, the help now — (2020) was just one of those rebuilding years that they went through, and he was a part of it. So people may say (Newton) didn’t look this good, he looked bad or whatever it may be. But now he has some help, and they know what they’re putting around him, which is awesome. I just want to be a part of five touchdowns, 10 touchdowns for him and change the narrative.”

As the new additions get acclimated to their surroundings in New England, it is encouraging to hear the wide receiver throw his support behind Newton. In what is going to be an important season for many players on the roster, Newton will certainly have something to prove.

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Jarrett Stidham leads a workout with Patriots pass-catchers in L.A.

Jarrett Stidham is already working with the newcomers.

As the New England Patriots numerous signings get acclimated to their surroundings, some of the newest offensive weapons are working out with quarterback Jarrett Stidham.

On Monday, tight end Hunter Henry and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne were part of Stidham’s workout in Newport Beach, Calif., wasting no time in trying to learn the playbook.

Henry spoke to the media on Monday, and indicated that he was very excited to work with his new teammates. Henry is in a position to be a major part of the Patriots tight end position, as he looks to bring a spark to a position that struggled last year.

“Man, it’s awesome,” Henry added. “That’s the best part of football sometimes. Just the guys, the locker room, the guys you get to meet. All that kind of stuff is a blast. Looking forward to kind of immersing myself in that locker room, the culture, everything. It’s exciting. It’s good to be able to do that now even in the offseason.”

Stidham messaged Bourne last week on Instagram, inviting him to the workout and welcoming him to the team. In what is going to be a week-long group of workouts, the wide receiver is set to learn a lot.

“He’s going to give me some tips, help me out and we’re just going to work out for the week,” Bourne said Monday. “It’s going to be awesome. It’s going to get me right. The offense is probably complex. I haven’t seen the playbook. I haven’t seen everything, but football’s hard. … You’ve just got to have that mindset. I’m a hard worker. Work ethic has to be through the roof.”

For his part, Bourne figures to be a big part of the Patriots wide receiver unit. His sure hands and ability to get separation could bode well for his time in New England.

As the Patriots look to turn the page on last season, it appears that Stidham is already looking forward to 2021. For a quarterback position that desperately needs a spark, Stidham is focusing on working with key weapons.

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Kendrick Bourne says he had a major misconception about the Patriots

Kendrick Bourne was very wrong in his assumption about the Patriots organization.

With the New England Patriots having a reputation for being a strict and uptight organization, new acquisition Kendrick Bourne thought that was exactly how the organization was going to be. Instead, his assumptions were proved false rather quickly.

Following an initial meeting with the organization last week, the wide receiver found out that behind closed doors, New England could be a bit of fun after all. Bourne, who signed a one-year deal with the organization, had his concerns put to rest after the initial meeting with the organization.

The wide receiver caught 49 passes for 667 yards and two touchdowns for the 49ers last year.

“I thought when I came in the building for the first time, I thought it was gonna be all stuck up kind of seeing how it was going to feel, everybody looking at me, coaches meeting, but it was a whole misconception,” Bourne said. “They were relaxed in there. They were laid back, having fun. They know how they want it to look. They know that they want their organization to be serious, excellence. But behind closed doors, it is relaxed. It is fun. There’s laughing in there. I was tripping. I thought it was only going to be myself. … ”

“But first came into the building, (head coach) Bill (Belichick) was super cool. (Owner) Robert Kraft was super nice. I just had a whole different view of the Patriots in my head. It was a happy medium. You can be a jokester, be cool, but we work hard here. This outweighs the silliness, the hard work. I kind of got the happy medium. Turn it off a little bit, I can relax. I know when to turn it on. ‘OK, it’s time to be serious, time to work. We gotta win this game or we gotta knock out this workout or this weight room workout or whatever it may be.’ … Misconception by me. I’m excited to be here.”

With the Patriots needing significant production from the wide receiver position, Bourne figures to be a part of that. Now, he can relax a little bit, knowing that maybe the Patriots do have fun after all.

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Kendrick Bourne says Patriots are ‘going to turn it around in one year’

“They’re going to win again. That was just a one-year thing.”

New England Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne is feeling optimistic about his new team. Though New England experienced an uncharacteristic regression to 7-9 in 2020, Bourne thinks it was just a blip on Bill Belichick’s impressive career.

“They’re going to turn it around in one year. I can honestly see it,” Bourne told reporters on Monday.

Bourne was a part of an enormous free agency class, not just when measured in volume of players but also in dollars spent. New England paid big money for top-tier free agents Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Matthew Judon, Davon Godchuax and Nelson Agholor. And then the Patriots chipped away at other players they really liked, with Bourne signing a three-year, $22.5 million deal. The free agency class is one reason for optimism in New England.

“They’re going to win again. That was just a one-year thing, I feel like. So I knew I wanted to be a part of the new era, whatever you want to call it,” Bourne said. “Just to be picked with a great group of guys by a great organization, it just shows me my potential.”

The Patriots’ offseason priority was surely to find their starting quarterback. New England re-signed Cam Newton to a backup-caliber contract worth up to $14 million (but guaranteeing only $3.5 million). He’s the favorite to start, with his competition being Jarrett Stidham and Jake Dolega. But New England could always add a free agent — or it could draft a quarterback.

“I really didn’t think about the quarterback situation,” Bourne said when asked what drew him to the Patriots. “It’s more the organization, who they are. I know they’re thinking about their future also.

“But I believe in Cam Newton at the end of the day. I didn’t go looking around, who’s the starting quarterback here. The NFL is the NFL. I believe everybody’s good. It just takes that right place, right time, right coaching and stuff like that.”

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5 things Patriots fans should know about new WR Kendrick Bourne

Here are five things you need to know about new Patriots wide receiver Keendrick Bourne

It has been a crazy couple of days in free agency for the New England Patriots, as they look to improve their roster. One of their acquisitions was former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne.

The former Eastern Washington product found himself a nice little niche in San Francisco as a Speedy receiver. Now, he will look to take that speed to New England and become one of many weapons in the Patriots passing game.

His name may not be familiar to some, and we have five things that you need to know about Bourne as he looks to call Gillette Stadium home.

49ers suddenly have a WR problem with Kendrick Bourne’s exit

Kendrick Bourne’s 3-year contract with the Patriots pushes wide receiver up the 49ers’ list of roster needs.

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Wide receiver depth was always on the periphery when looking at issues the 49ers might have to solve on their roster this offseason, but Kendrick Bourne’s agreement on a three-year deal with the New England Patriots pushes a once fringe issue into the fore.

Bourne, an undrafted rookie in 2017, had carved out an important role as the No. 3 receiver in a receiving corps that featured playmakers like Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. While Bourne isn’t the explosive athlete Aiyuk and Samuel are, he’s a reliable pass catcher who routinely moved the chains and got in the end zone. Of his 137 receptions, 100 of them went for either a first down or a touchdown.

He’s not necessarily irreplaceable, but he’s also not a player who’s role can be filled by just any receiver off the street. San Francisco is going to have to invest resources in finding a player to earn the targets left behind by Bourne. Finding someone who gets open, catches the ball, and has the awareness to find the sticks and get past them on third downs isn’t going to be easy.

San Francisco’s list of viable candidates on the roster is slim. Richie James has yet to carve out any kind of significant offensive role in three seasons — although he’d be one of the leading internal candidates. River Cracraft probably isn’t the answer. Neither is Travis Benjamin. Jalen Hurd’s health is a sizable question mark and 2020 seventh-round pick Jauan Jennings didn’t play a regular season snap last year.

Whether it’s free agency, where some quality players could be willing to take short-term deals if their market doesn’t develop, or the draft, the 49ers have to figure out their now gaping hole at wide receiver. Depth was always going to be somewhat of an issue going into the offseason, but Bourne’s exit makes it something San Francisco has to address with legitimate resources if they’re going to build another strong receiving corps in 2021.