Patriots
“I do not go off the narrative, what folks consider me,” Polk stated. “I do know who I’m and I do know the work that I put in”
Ja’Lynn Polk would favor to overlook about his rookie season.
His function peaked throughout New England’s 30-13 blowout loss in opposition to the 49ers, the place he had a season-high three catches on seven targets.
The next week, he caught what gave the impression to be a go-ahead landing in opposition to the Miami Dolphins. However, after reviewing the play, officers dominated that Polk didn’t get each ft in-bounds, taking the rating off of the board.
From there, Polk’s alternatives plummeted. Drake Maye took over at quarterback the next week. Jacoby Brissett had focused Polk not less than thrice in three of his 5 begins. Maye focused Polk 4 occasions in his first begin and thrice in his second begin, then the touches dropped off considerably.
Polk didn’t file a single catch in December regardless of taking part in in 4 video games that month. He completed the season with 12 catches, 87 yards, and two touchdowns. He compiled 74 of these 87 yards on throws from Brissett over the primary 5 weeks.
“I don’t occasion take into consideration final 12 months,” Polk stated with a smile. “We’ve acquired a brand new group, the power is nice round right here, so I’m right here now. I’m stepping ahead, conserving religion within the Lord Jesus. He’s been with me the entire whole method. I’m going to maintain my religion robust and hold working.”
To date, Polk has missed the majority of the Patriots’ training camp practices with reported muscle tightness. He caught a landing from Maye in his first apply again and had a one-handed catch that drew a loud response from the group on Tuesday regardless of the very fact he landed out of bounds.
Coach Mike Vrabel stated Polk labored laborious to get again to apply. Polk stated he’s conserving the same strategy to final season and feeling optimistic concerning the recent begin with a brand new teaching workers.
“I don’t go off the narrative, what folks consider me,” Polk stated. “I do know who I’m and I do know the work that I put in each day to assist this group win. I’m going to maintain working laborious each day. I’m going to maintain going into my preparation and making use of it on the sphere.”
Polk stated he’s approaching the season with pleasure, a renewed focus, and hopes of a “reset” together with his new teammates.
On the floor, it seems as if Polk is preventing to maintain his spot in a crowded Patriots’ receiver room.
Stefon Diggs, a four-time Professional Bowler, has seemed just like the Patriots’ high receiver to date. DeMario Douglas, New England’s most efficient receiver final season, will likely be an enormous a part of what they do. Kayshon Boutte has had a robust camp.
Rookie Kyle Williams has confirmed flashes. Mack Hollins hasn’t practiced a lot, however is predicted to be within the combine.
Kendrick Bourne might be essentially the most acquainted out of any of the Patriots’ receivers with Josh McDaniels’ offense, having caught 55 passes for 800 yards and 5 touchdowns throughout McDaniels’ most up-to-date season with the membership in 2021.
So, that’s six receivers with not less than a reasonably respectable shot at making the group proper there. And it’s not together with Polk, Javon Baker, or Efton Chism.
Polk, the group’s second-highest draft decide behind Maye in final 12 months’s draft class, stated he doesn’t view the state of affairs as a battle for his job.
“I feel I’m in a battle with myself,” Polk stated. “I’m competing with myself each day, making an attempt to get higher than I used to be. So long as I’ve that mindset, I’m going to be nice.”
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