New England Patriots Looking For a Slot Receiver - Riley McCarron Hopes To Earn The Position
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The New England Patriots lost wide receiver Danny Amendola to free agency. Amendola signed with the Miami Dolphins. With that the New England Patriots now need a slot receiver.
Quarterback Tom Brady counted on Amendol whose quickness at the line of scrimmage often made him an open man. And, he rarely dropped the football. Amendola spent the last 5 years in New England and totaled 2,383 yards receiving with 12 touchdowns. His average yards per catch was an impressive 10.4. It seemed that every time he touched the football, there'd be a first down or greater advance. Defenses had a tough time bringing him down.
Now that Amendola is a Dolphins, the Patriots are searching for a slot receiver. There is one player on the roster they could consider for that role - Riley McCarron. McCarron was an un-drafted free agent after playing 3 years at Iowa. He had 584 yards receiving with 5 touchdowns in college.
Last year was his rookie year. He started training camp with the Texans but was released on September 18th. New England signed him on the practice squad on September 22nd and he spent the season there. This year there are high hopes for McCarron making it onto the team.
At 5'9", McCarron has the size to be a slot receive . That could set up size and speed mismatches for him to exploit. Brady must toss to him in the open field in order to make plays.
The only down side for McCarron is he hasn’t played an NFL game. It is going to be tough for him to make the team. The Patriots are stacked at wide receiver with Brandin Cooks, Julian Edelman, Cordarrelle Patterson, Chris Hogan and Kenny Britt. Edelman and Cooks should be the 1st and 2nd on the depth chart. Hogan can also play the slot. So, it's going to be difficult for McCarron to earn the starting job.
McCarron’s best bet is to make an impression during training camp and preseason games. If he plays well, the Patriots coaching staff may place him on the roster. The worst case for McCarron is he spends another year on the practice squad. There remains plenty of time for the Patriots to name a 3rd receiver and it could be McCarron.
The New England Patriots lost wide receiver Danny Amendola to free agency. Amendola signed with the Miami Dolphins. With that the New England Patriots now need a slot receiver.
Quarterback Tom Brady counted on Amendol whose quickness at the line of scrimmage often made him an open man. And, he rarely dropped the football. Amendola spent the last 5 years in New England and totaled 2,383 yards receiving with 12 touchdowns. His average yards per catch was an impressive 10.4. It seemed that every time he touched the football, there'd be a first down or greater advance. Defenses had a tough time bringing him down.
Now that Amendola is a Dolphins, the Patriots are searching for a slot receiver. There is one player on the roster they could consider for that role - Riley McCarron. McCarron was an un-drafted free agent after playing 3 years at Iowa. He had 584 yards receiving with 5 touchdowns in college.
Last year was his rookie year. He started training camp with the Texans but was released on September 18th. New England signed him on the practice squad on September 22nd and he spent the season there. This year there are high hopes for McCarron making it onto the team.
At 5'9", McCarron has the size to be a slot receive . That could set up size and speed mismatches for him to exploit. Brady must toss to him in the open field in order to make plays.
The only down side for McCarron is he hasn’t played an NFL game. It is going to be tough for him to make the team. The Patriots are stacked at wide receiver with Brandin Cooks, Julian Edelman, Cordarrelle Patterson, Chris Hogan and Kenny Britt. Edelman and Cooks should be the 1st and 2nd on the depth chart. Hogan can also play the slot. So, it's going to be difficult for McCarron to earn the starting job.
McCarron’s best bet is to make an impression during training camp and preseason games. If he plays well, the Patriots coaching staff may place him on the roster. The worst case for McCarron is he spends another year on the practice squad. There remains plenty of time for the Patriots to name a 3rd receiver and it could be McCarron.
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