In terms of snaps, first-year Patriot Damiere Byrd is New England’s No. 1 wide receiver.
The fifth-year veteran newcomer has played 93 percent of the offensive plays through five games on the way to 17 catches for 217 yards.
He’s been the most active of a group of much-criticized Patriots pass catchers for a scuffling Cam Newton-led passing attack.
As such, during a Wednesday video call with local reporters, Byrd was asked what the group can do to get better moving forward.
“Just do what we’re asked every play. Find a way to get open. Find a way to be where we need to be. And do whatever we can to help this team win,” Byrd declared.
While Byrd was among a number of Patriots receivers who got open but didn’t get the ball in last Sunday’s ugly loss to the Broncos at Gillette Stadium, the receiver wasn’t about to point fingers.
“That’s just football. Some plays are there and they just don’t work out. That just goes back to, as a team everybody just playing their assignment and getting their job done,” Byrd said. “I can run a great route but if something else goes wrong then it doesn’t matter. Other players can make great plays but if I don’t do the right thing then the play might not work out. So really just coming together as a whole, as an offense everybody just doing their job and trying to execute one play at a time.”
With Patriots head coach Bill Belichick endlessly lamenting his team’s inability to get on the practice field over the last couple week’s due to positive COVID-19 tests and concerns, Byrd said New England’s return to practice “was just a normal Wednesday.”
“I think we come out every day and we have the oppournity to play which a lot of people would love to do. With that just being said, improving every day is what we need to do,” Byrd concluded. “We have this oppournity out on the field so let’s not let it go to waste. Find a way to improve. Even if you don’t think you need anything to improve in, find a way. There is always something. As a team we just have to continue to improve. It’s a long season. We just have to get ready for Sunday.”