New England Patriots - NESN.com
Roster cuts are right around the corner for the New England Patriots, as they need to trim their team down to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. One guy whose spot with the team is secure is wide receiver Mack Hollins, but he understands other players don’t enjoy that same luxury.
The Pats signed Hollins to a two-year, $8.4 million contract in free agency this offseason, and he’s been a part of their top wide receiver group throughout training camp. Alongside him have been Stefon Diggs, Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, and Kyle Williams.
Behind them is a group consisting of Javon Baker, Efton Chism III, Kendrick Bourne, and Ja’Lynn Polk. After a strong preseason, it seems like Chism may have earned himself a roster spot, with Baker being the guy with the next best chance of making the team.
The question New England finds itself faced with is simple; do they want seven wide receivers on their initial 53-man roster? Hollins knows that Baker is on the bubble heading into roster cuts, and he offered the former fourth-round pick some unique advice on Sunday.
“It doesn’t matter how you stay on the bus. It just matters that you’re on the bus,” Hollins said when speaking with reporters on Sunday. “There’s only so many spots. So if you find a way to at least get a chance, take it every time.”
If Baker does end up making the team, he’s likely only going to be contributing on special teams to start the season. If injuries pop up, though, he could find himself thrust into the action with an opportunity to make an impact on offense.
Hollins knows what it’s like to be in Baker’s shoes, as he had to chip away as a special teams player before earning a role for himself on offense. If Baker can follow in his footsteps, he could eventually become a key piece of the Patriots’ offense.
