FOXBORO — The Patriots’ offense wanted extra Pop after a laborious begin to the season. And rookie large receiver Demario “Pop” Douglas got here by means of in Sunday’s win over the Payments.
Douglas caught 4 passes on six targets for 54 yards, drew two penalties, carried the ball as soon as for 20 yards and returned a punt for 25 yards. Coming back from a concussion, the sixth-round choose completed second amongst Patriots large receivers behind Kendrick Bourne with 24 routes run, per Patriots.com’s Evan Lazar.
“It’s a blessing simply to indicate the world after which my teammates. I performed for them at this time. I didn’t play for me. I performed for my teammates,” Douglas mentioned after the 29-25 win.
One purpose Douglas performed a lot Sunday was as a result of beginning slot receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was inactive for the second straight week after struggling a concussion in Week 5.
“Pop’s [Demario Douglas]’s fast,” head coach Invoice Belichick mentioned. “, he bought some separation on just a few routes, made a pair robust catches. The seam move was an excellent catch. He bought held on the play motion over route on the primary drive, I feel it was. Brief yardage play.”
The Liberty product has a knack for making defenders miss. He’s the Patriots’ greatest receiver at getting open in man protection and choosing up yards after the catch.
“It simply occurs,” Douglas mentioned. “I’d say it’s a little bit intuition. I play with confidence. I don’t need the primary individual to deal with me. So, it’s only a factor.”
He additionally was making troublesome catches in Sunday’s sport. He was robbed of a 6-yard catch on the finish of the sport when head coach Invoice Belichick accepted a defensive move interference penalty to save lots of time on the clock on a play when Douglas fought by means of contact to make the catch.
“The ball come my approach, I have to make that play,” Douglas mentioned. “I’m attempting to make it a (75)-25 ball, not no 50-50.”
Douglas has earned extra snaps and has confirmed he’s one of many Patriots’ greatest playmakers. Smith-Schuster was a key offseason addition however has disenchanted within the begin to his Patriots profession. Douglas is making it troublesome for Smith-Schuster to take his beginning position again, nevertheless.
