FOXBORO — It wasn’t Efton Chism’s fingers or quickness that stood out to Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel after Friday night’s 48-18 preseason win over the Commanders. It was, considerably paradoxically, the undersized slot receiver’s play power.
Chism, who’s 5-foot-10, 198 kilos, caught six passes on eight targets for 50 yards with a landing in his preseason debut.
“I believe his play power stood out to me, simply from the sideline,” Vrabel stated. “I believe it’s the best way he blocks, his capability to catch the ball in visitors. The ball was principally tipped or bobbled popping out of Ben’s [Wooldridge] hand, form of ran by way of a deal with, ran by way of contact, and we threw him a display. So, these are all optimistic issues. I believe his play power to me is what stood out.”
When Chism was a standout for the Patriots in OTAs and minicamp, the massive query was whether or not or not he might proceed to supply when the pads got here on and issues turned extra bodily. Chism had a comparatively quiet coaching camp till he turned a security valve for backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs throughout joint practices with the Commanders on Wednesday.
Chism continued his upward trajectory in Friday evening’s preseason sport, main the Patriots in receptions, receiving yards and targets.
“Anytime you form of get a praise from a head coach, it’s undoubtedly an honor,” Chism stated Friday evening. “So, I admire that from him. However I really feel like simply enjoying laborious, that’s form of what I satisfaction myself on and the little particulars and going on the market and doing all the things I can to my full capability. So, I felt like once I acquired the ball, I acquired to indicate that, however even within the blocking, I attempt to present that within the operating, blocking and the route operating, no matter it’s, simply form of enjoying laborious.”
Chism didn’t catch any passes from quarterback Drake Maye, however he’s additionally impressed the Patriots beginning quarterback all through the spring and summer season.
“He’s a baller. I imply, he loves developing and asking me questions on routes. He loves speaking soccer. He’s only a soccer participant,” Maye stated. “You noticed him tonight making performs. Glad he acquired in the long run zone. Nearly acquired in the long run zone once more on the display. Received chased down. Blocking laborious, doing all the proper issues. That’s what we’re preaching within the offensive room: hold doing issues the proper means, hold exhibiting up, you’re going be rewarded.”
Chism is competing for a roster spot with extensive receivers Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker and Kendrick Bourne. Bourne and Polk are each coping with accidents. Baker helped himself within the kicking sport.
