<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been a quiet start to the season for rookie wide receiver Javon Baker.<\/p>\n
The fourth-round pick has played just six offensive snaps this season \u2014 all coming back in Week 2 \u2014 and has not yet recorded a catch. But, that could soon change as the New England Patriots look for a spark at the wide receiver position.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe last couple weeks, he\u2019s put together great weeks of practice,\u201d head coach Jerod Mayo said Friday of Baker. \u201cNow, hopefully he gets an opportunity to go out there and play some receiver. He\u2019s an explosive player. We need to see that on Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n
After spending the last three weeks on the inactive list, New England attempted to get the ball in Baker\u2019s hands as a kick returner against the Jets. He ended up returning just one for 17 yards.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdd a little extra juice back there. He\u2019s an explosive athlete. He\u2019s getting better by the week, maturing in all levels as a football player. Think he just adds another element with an explosive playmaker back there \u2014 which is what you\u2019re looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now the attention should turn to the offensive side of things, where a full depth chart \u2014 that includes seven wide receivers on their 53-man roster \u2014 has been part of the reason Baker has had issues seeing the field. To date, New England has opted for veterans such as K.J. Osborn or Tyquan Thornton in depth situations.<\/p>\n
That could change with the 22-year-old Baker\u2019s recent practice performances, while the upcoming trade deadline could also result in New England moving off a veteran or two at the position.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always tough, wanting to win now and also to develop players,\u201d Mayo said of balancing the playing time in the room. \u201cBut that\u2019s something that we\u2019ve had to deal with since training camp and earlier in the season. So, those guys do a good job though, preparing as if they\u2019re the starters, and we\u2019ll see what they can do.\u201d<\/p>\n
The lack of production on the field should also leave more snaps available for Baker. This season, Osborn has totaled just seven catches for 57 yards. Tyquan Thornton has hauled in just four passes for 47 yards.<\/p>\n
The group is also coming off a game in which they dropped four total passes, although Mayo has liked the response they\u2019ve shown as a whole this past week.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would say first, there weren\u2019t a lot of balls on the ground. I think that was first and foremost, and that goes back to focus,\u201d he shared. \u201cI would also say those guys came out with good energy, knowing that the last week just wasn\u2019t good enough. I think we all look forward to those guys going out and putting on a good performance.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Baker has played just six offensive snaps so far this season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":929,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-928","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-england-patriots"],"yoast_head":"\n