Even as the Patriots watched their game against the Dolphins slip away on Sunday, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne kept idling away on the sideline “just waiting for my opportunity” to enter the game.
Though he was active for the game, New England benched its breakout receiver from a year ago, even opting to play practice-squad elevation Lil’Jordan Humphrey over him.
Asked why that was after the game by reporters, Bourne could only shrug: “Not really sure.”
The second-year Patriots receiver’s re-appearance was just as conspicuous as his absence. On his second snap of the game, which came late in the fourth quarter, Bourne got a step down the left sideline and hauled in a 41-yard throw from Mac Jones — New England’s biggest player of the day.
On a day when Jones only had 213 yards passing and receivers rarely found themselves consistently open, Bourne’s absence only became more confounding. But it’s also nothing new: Bourne has seen massive cuts in playing time, been chewed out in practice by Bill Belichick and reportedly expressed displeasure with the Patriots’ offensive changes in private while endorsing them in public.
By Bourne’s own admission, he believes it’s up to him to sway Belichick, Matt Patricia and the staff to put him back on the field.
“Not giving the coaches what they want, what they need to see. So just need to get better on my part,” he said to reporters Sunday.
“Disappointed in myself,” Bourne added. “I could be better, play better, practice better. I think that’s what it takes: just practicing better so Coach [Belichick] can trust me more.”
At this point, the Patriots’ offense looks about as anemic as it did at the end of last season when Bourne was one of its only bright spots. Whatever the beef with Bourne, New England might not have a choice but to play him if they want to win.
It's time for everyone to put Bourne’s disastrous training camp behind them and get him back on the field — if not for his sake, for Mac Jones’ at least.
