Pats Pulpit
During a blowout Week 4 win, the New England Patriots moved wide receiver Stefon Diggs all around their offense. The result: the wide receiver eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the first time in 22 games.
That included three explosive plays from both the slot and outside, as Diggs’ comfort level continues to grow in the offense.
“We ask our guys at the beginning of each year to learn the system as a whole, not just from one position. Through injuries and over the course of a season, multiple players are going to need to line up in different spots depending on who’s available and how we want to play,” McDaniels said Thursday.
“The more you can do — knowing this spot, that spot, and another — the more it helps you and it helps the team. He’s worked really hard at that. Obviously, he wasn’t able to practice in the spring, but once he was cleared in training camp, every rep has been valuable for him. He deserves all the credit for learning multiple spots and being able to line up and play.”
Following the performance last Sunday, Diggs shared his comfort level in the offense was just a “5 out of 10” with just four games under his belt. McDaniels, however, felt differently about where the 31-year-old currently stands.
“It’s probably like a nine out of 10,” McDaniels said with a smile. “In terms of understanding the system and the scheme, we probably got a little bit of juice left to squeeze out of the orange. Obviously it’s important, and I think he was being modest when he said that. I heard that little comment.”
Speaking at his locker on Wednesday, Diggs reminded that his remarks were “facetious, or sarcastic” as work remains for him to do. That will start with a big primetime matchup this week back in Buffalo against his old team.
“The way I look at it, I never want to get too comfortable. I said 5 out of 10 because if it’s 8 out of 10, or 9 out of 10, I don’t really don’t have to look at my notes. I don’t really have to look over it multiple times,” he explained.
“For me, I’m just trying to keep it at a comfort level of being hungry, and humble each and every — not going in thinking I’ve got it all figured out. That offense does throw some curve balls at you. For me, moving around is part of being a professional and part of being in the league for a long time. It comes with being trusted. I don’t always know where I’m going to line up, but wherever I am, I’m going to try to get open and catch the ball.”
