Finally: an explanation for Ja'Lynn Polk's putrid rookie season

[Real fan 02]

Polk and Baker will be coached for a full off-season. They will be there through the entire training camp.

It is THEN that the team whether either is good enough to be the 4th or 5th or oven 6th WR on the team.

As always other than their rookie year, where they were drafted matters not at all.
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The team will bring in one top WR. The open question is whether we bring in another starter level player or if we are OK with Bourne as our #2 coming into the draft.

Agreed. I'd say bring in as many talented WR'S as possible. We need at least 2 game changers on the outside. It been mentioned about DK being a possibility by trade. We have a good collection of 3s and 4s.. on this team getting those guys on the outside can make this offense top 10 with Drake at QB.

 

[Since1960]

So now we’re expected to believe that “Allstate” (aka: Polk - the self described receiver with the best hands in the league) who has 12 receptions in 12 games has hit the proverbial Rookie Wall ?! This is hard to believe since the Huskies played 15 games last year and Polk played in all 15 games with 69 receptions apparently not hitting any walls…..

 

[50-yard-line]

I remember a long time between drinks: that's why I am giving Javon Baker a Red Shirt year. Regarding Slow Polk not holding my breath.

Well, if you're going to call him "Slow Polk"...his 40 time was 4.52 and Baker's was 4.54.

 

[50-yard-line]

I don’t think that’s what they are saying. Players in all sports go through stretches where they struggle and lose confidence. The question is how he either rebounds or doesn’t? Polk played great in camp, and his hands were his greatest strength. He had some drops, Mayo took a public shot at him, and he struggled. My money is that he works his ass off in the offseason and shows that he was worth the pick next season. He never had a reputation as a diva or a head case coming into the pro’s.

Chad Ryland is having a good year.

 

[jdlboot14]

I think there is something to the fact that Polk had to learn all WR positions in camp... it's just too much for a rookie to think about if you want one to be productive in a "good fit" role.
That's what the Pats have never done well, and why ALL other teams draft WR's and have good rookie production.
I think Polk can be fixed for next year.

 

[turkeyneck]

I think there is something to the fact that Polk had to learn all WR positions in camp... it's just too much for a rookie to think about if you want one to be productive in a "good fit" role.
That's what the Pats have never done well, and why ALL other teams draft WR's and have good rookie production.
I think Polk can be fixed for next year.

But, by whom? Aye, there's the rub.

 

[Rob0729]

Still not ready to give up on Polk and Baker. I have heard this system is overly complicated for WRs and they an inexperienced WR coach who is a leftover from the Belichick staff (and we know Belichick could never develop WRs).

Whether or not Mayo is back next year, I think there are going to be a lot of changes to the coaching staff. Maybe with a better staff and a better offensive system, these guys can rebound. I am not betting on it, but hopeful.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

The EP system was said to be very difficult, I haven't heard anything about the system they are trying to use now

 

[Ray Ray 717]

Still not ready to give up on Polk and Baker. I have heard this system is overly complicated for WRs and they an inexperienced WR coach who is a leftover from the Belichick staff (and we know Belichick could never develop WRs).

Whether or not Mayo is back next year, I think there are going to be a lot of changes to the coaching staff. Maybe with a better staff and a better offensive system, these guys can rebound. I am not betting on it, but hopeful.

FIRE that WR coach immediately


Chad Jackson - 13 rec 195 yards, 3 td (2006)
Brandon Tate- 0 rec 0 yards, 0 td (2009)
Taylor Price- 3 rec, 41 yards, 0 td (2010)
Aaron Dobson - 37 rec, 519 yards, 4 td (2013)
Josh Boyce 9 rec 121 yards (2013)
N'Keal Harry- 12 rec 105 yards, 2 td (2020)
Tyquan Thornton - 22 rec 247 yards, 2 td (2022)
Ja'Lynn Polk - 12 rec 87 yards, 2 td (2024)

 

[Ray Ray 717]

I have heard this system is overly complicated for WRs

If our system is too complicated for the likes of a Justin Jefferson, Cee Dee Lamb, or AJ Brown...then change the system immediately!

 

[Ray Ray 717]

The EP system was said to be very difficult, I haven't heard anything about the system they are trying to use now

It probably requires a little bit of fast twitch athleticism, acceleration, length and speed....none of which our current crop possesses.

 

[Real fan 02]

Don't bring up lunch.

I'm so sorry brother to make you loose lunch.

 

[Rob0729]

FIRE that WR coach immediately


Chad Jackson - 13 rec 195 yards, 3 td (2006)
Brandon Tate- 0 rec 0 yards, 0 td (2009)
Taylor Price- 3 rec, 41 yards, 0 td (2010)
Aaron Dobson - 37 rec, 519 yards, 4 td (2013)
Josh Boyce 9 rec 121 yards (2013)
N'Keal Harry- 12 rec 105 yards, 2 td (2020)
Tyquan Thornton - 22 rec 247 yards, 2 td (2022)
Ja'Lynn Polk - 12 rec 87 yards, 2 td (2024)

Wolf and Groh weren't even here in 2013 or before. Neither was any of the coaching staff. This is no longer the Belichick regime. This regime should be judged on their own merits.

Yes, so far Polk and Baker are busts. But they were projects to begin with. Polk has shown in preseason and early in the season he has talent. He just needs to get his head on straight.

So far the new regime has a failing grade on personnel, but that doesn't mean things can't change including some of the rookies changing their fate.

 

[Real fan 02]

Wolf and Groh weren't even here in 2013 or before. Neither was any of the coaching staff. This is no longer the Belichick regime. This regime should be judged on their own merits.

Yes, so far Polk and Baker are busts. But they were projects to begin with. Polk has shown in preseason and early in the season he has talent. He just needs to get his head on straight.

So far the new regime has a failing grade on personnel, but that doesn't mean things can't change including some of the rookies changing their fate.

I don't think baker makes it past next training camp something feels off with him. Polk has a future here. Getting those guys on the outside will help him tremendously he can play loose and get out his head.

 

[Rob0729]

If our system is too complicated for the likes of a Justin Jefferson, Cee Dee Lamb, or AJ Brown...then change the system immediately!

I never said it was too complicated for elite WRs. I am saying it is too complicated for a couple of rookies who came into the league with some talent, but were raw.

 

[Drunken Cicerone]

In college he had a great QB and played as a number 2 behind a great WR. It was always questionable how good he’d be as a pro.

A big reason a lot of people questioned the pick from the start

 

[Drunken Cicerone]

If you have nothing else to play for just tell him he’s getting 20+ targets in week 18, let him know a lot won’t be quality and he probably won’t be able to catch half. Set low expectations…. See what happens

 

[Patjew]

I feel like so many of our failed WRs stem from trying to duplicate Deion Branch.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Wolf and Groh weren't even here in 2013 or before. Neither was any of the coaching staff. This is no longer the Belichick regime. This regime should be judged on their own merits.

Yes, so far Polk and Baker are busts. But they were projects to begin with. Polk has shown in preseason and early in the season he has talent. He just needs to get his head on straight.

So far the new regime has a failing grade on personnel, but that doesn't mean things can't change including some of the rookies changing their fate.

I agree with most of this, but I think getting their franchise QB ups their personal grade. Last year’s free agency was really weak, so I think he was smart to avoid spending big in it, and imo it’s way too early to grade the draft class.

 

[Huckleberry1]

In college he had a great QB and played as a number 2 behind a great WR. It was always questionable how good he’d be as a pro.

A big reason a lot of people questioned the pick from the start

He was considered a Day 2 pick, and expected to go between 40-60, depending upon the mock.