Patriots receivers coach sees improvements in his group

FOXBORO – Chad O’Shea loves a challenge. Most coaches do. For the Patriots wide receiver coach, he’s encountered several this offseason. Those challenges will only continue when the regular season starts up next week.

This year, O’Shea has seen four veteran players come and go. There was a time not too long ago where Kenny Britt, Jordan Matthews, Eric Decker and Malcolm Mitchell would’ve represented solid receiver depth. Instead, all four players have [...]

FOXBORO – Chad O’Shea loves a challenge. Most coaches do. For the Patriots wide receiver coach, he’s encountered several this offseason. Those challenges will only continue when the regular season starts up next week.

This year, O’Shea has seen four veteran players come and go. There was a time not too long ago where Kenny Britt, Jordan Matthews, Eric Decker and Malcolm Mitchell would’ve represented solid receiver depth. Instead, all four players have been released by the Patriots this month.

The Patriots receiver depth or lack thereof has been a big topic this summer. O’Shea doesn’t seem as worried as the masses. Of course, he’s also up for any challenge that comes his way.

“The most rewarding things as a coach is sometimes when the things are most challenging,” O’Shea said on Tuesday. “Whatever that is – whether that’s personnel or a certain scheme that could be challenging or a certain opponent that may be challenging. Those things are rewarding for coaches when things are successful when you face great challenges.”

The challenge this season will be replacing Julian Edelman over the first four weeks. With the receiver’s four-game suspension starting on Saturday, the Pats receiver depth has been hit due to the four released veterans (all were dealing with injuries). As far as roster locks go, the Patriots have three in Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett and Cordarrelle Patterson. Riley McCarron leads the rest of the pack, which includes Braxton Berrios, Devin Lucien and Paul Turner.

There’s a chance the Patriots start Week 1 with only three ‘true’ receivers on the roster, which would give this offense less than ideal depth. Although the offseason has been tumultuous in a sense for the position, O’Shea has remained upbeat with his group. He also doesn’t seem worried when it comes to replacing Edelman’s production. After all, it won’t just be the receivers, but running backs and tight ends will factor into the passing game.

“Julian’s been a really productive player for us here with the Patriots,” O’Shea said. “We have a group of skill players who certainly bring a lot of strengths that allow us to be in position to be successful. It’s really, it’s a positive on this football team that we have as many skill players that have done well for us and will continue to do well based on their skill sets.”

The passing game will undoubtedly include Rob Gronkowski and James White. If Sony Michel and Rex Burkhead can get healthy, they could also factor in. The receiving group as a whole has many question marks, but this summer has had some positive moments.

In camp, O’Shea’s seen multiple players step up in different ways. Hogan’s taken on more of a leadership role in the receiver meeting rooms; Dorsett went back to the basics to completely learn the offense after coming in late last year; Edelman has aimed to bring the younger receivers up to speed; and Patterson has been reliable, durable and hard working.

Edelman has noticed the same thing.

“We’ve got a lot of guys making a lot of plays,” Edelman said. “A lot of guys working hard and a lot of guys improving. Honestly, that’s all you can ask for. We’ve got a group in there that’s very capable. A lot of explosion. A lot of quickness. A lot of experience. I’m not a talent evaluator, I’m not a coach, I’m not a GM… but I’m excited for them, for their opportunity and I’m definitely confident in them.”

When the Patriots take on the Houston Texans in Week 1, all eyes will be on Brady’s receiving corps. At the end of the day, he should have enough weapons with Gronk, White and Hogan alone, but if Dorsett and Patterson can continue to improve, the offense should be able to hang tough until Edelman returns.

“There’s a lot of positives about the group that’s out here right now. There really are,” O’Shea said. “There’s a lot of strengths. They each have different skill sets. I’ve been real pleased with the group that’s out there, that’s really worked really hard and really done everything we’ve asked them to do and try to improve. I think that’s what they’ve done. They’ve improved.”