FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Thornton in the (red) zone: The Patriots’ offense has had a red zone problem, but with two dynamic plays in just his second NFL game, rookie receiver Tyquan Thornton showed he can be a central part of the solution.
Thornton’s work inside the 20 has been a revelation to those who viewed him as more of a straight-line speedster coming out of Baylor, after he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.28 at the NFL combine.
“To be that fast and stop that quick, man, that’s tough,” fellow receiver Jakobi Meyers said. “A lot of guys couldn’t do that, to be able to stop on a dime and at the same time get up to 4.2.”
Thornton’s 2-yard touchdown catch last Sunday in the 38-15 win over the Cleveland Browns showcased one reason why he projects to be a major part of the team’s red zone offense after missing the first four games of the season because of a broken collarbone. He faced press coverage from cornerback Greedy Williams and was uncovered quickly on an over route.
Veteran receiver DeVante Parker, now in his eighth NFL season, was among those impressed.
“He crossed the defender up on the line and was able to get open. It’s footwork and the upper body — shoulders, head moving and everything — making the defender think you’re going one way, but go the other,” Parker said. “For a tall receiver to move like that is good.”
Parker also noted that the 6-foot-2, 182-pound Thornton has a “long stride,” which showed up when he took a fourth-quarter handoff on an end around, galloping untouched into the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown.
Thornton’s work helped the Patriots finish with one of their best red zone days of the season (three touchdowns in five trips). They still rank 29th in the NFL in red zone…
Source : espn
