FOXBORO — Minutes earlier than his first NFL playoff sport, slot receiver Efton Chism III acquired some phrases of encouragement from one in every of his Patriots predecessors.
It was Danny Amendola, again on the town to look at New England host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday evening within the wild-card spherical.
Which phrases, precisely? That element, Chism couldn’t recall.
“Actually, we had been form of simply yelling at one another, getting one another going,” the rookie informed the Herald, smiling, after the Patriots’ 16-3 win at Gillette Stadium. “I’ve received a ton of respect for that man, and simply having him simply there and supporting me is big.”
Finding out film of Amendola helped Chism crack the Patriots roster out of coaching camp. The Japanese Washington product spent a lot of the season buried on the depth chart, however he contributed as a kick returner, then noticed a spike in offensive snaps in December whereas the Patriots managed accidents to different wideouts.
That place group was principally wholesome Sunday evening — solely Mack Hollins, who’s on injured reserve, was unavailable towards the Chargers — however Chism maintained a task in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ sport plan, even trying the primary cross of his NFL profession.
That trick play failed — Chism overthrew an open Drake Maye on the same reverse pass McDaniels referred to as for Amendola and Tom Brady in Tremendous Bowl LII — however the 24-year-old hauled in a 20-yard reception three performs later to maneuver the chains on second-and-18. He additionally dealt with a few of Hollins’ regular duties as a indifferent in-line blocker regardless of missing his teammate’s 6-foot-4, 221-pound body. (Chism is listed at 5-10, 198.)
“Loopy, proper? So loopy,” Chism mentioned of his expanded position. “Loopy how very similar to a yr can change, going from faculty soccer to draft prep after which impulsively taking part in in a playoff sport, which is simply such a blessing, such an honor. It’s been superior simply to be round these guys. They assist me, and so they’re all the time telling me to go on the market and block. And man, I’m going to go on the market and do it. I really like being on the market, and I really like supporting the blokes.”
