Not long ago, it looked like Patriots receiver DeMario “Pop” Douglas might not have much of a long-term fit in New England, not with new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and a passing game built more on Drake Maye‘s long laser throws rather than on the underneath plays in which Douglas thrived early in his career. It was as recently as Week 4, after all, when Douglas not only did not get any targets from Maye but played only eight snaps.
But after posting 30 yards in the first five weeks of the season, Douglas came into Week 9 on a roll, with 132 yards in his last three games. And on Sunday, he was outstanding, repeatedly getting open on crossing routes and racking up four catches for 100 yards, with a touchdown, in the Patriots’ taut 24-23 win over Atlanta.
It was a career high in yardage for Douglas, a remarkable redemption for a forgotten playmaker. But it was after the game that Douglas left a big-time impression.
Pop Douglas’s “Uncle Tiger” Was Killed This Weekend
In an interview on the field when the game was over, Douglas noted that his uncle was shot and killed on Saturday night.
“Yesterday, my uncle got shot and, well, killed, last night,” Douglas told NFL Network. “This whole morning, man, my mood was just different, I couldn’t hold my tears, I couldn’t hold nothing. Every time someone said, ‘Keep your head up,’ my eyes kept watering up. I just know he was here with me today, first day in heaven, he was working. Man, I am blessed.”
Douglas had what was the play of the game on a third-and-7 play from the Patriots’ 31-yard line in the second quarter. He caught a pass about 30 yards downfield from Maye, off-balance, and stumbled about as he attempted to regain his footing, gaining another 25-plus yards to set up New England’s third touchdown.
Patriots Coaches, Teammates Appreciate Approach
After the game, coach Mike Vrabel was appreciative of Douglas’s contributions, as well as the adjustments he has made in his game to get himself back to being a consistent contributor.
“We’ve got to keep finding Pop. You always look, and when Pop doesn’t have the ball and somebody else does, he’s turning and blocking and doing all the things that we ask him to do to protect our identity,” Vrabel said.
“We have to continue to find him on some of these runaways or some of these slot plays that are really good for him. I love having him on the team. He’s fun to coach. He sits right up front, and he’s always into it. Great teammate. Always happy for his success.”
Patriots Scoring Started With Pop Douglas
Before the long play from Maye, Douglas had opened the Patriots’ scoring with a touchdown catch of 17 yards. That was when, he said, he first felt his uncle’s presence, and he pointed up to the heavens after the catch.
Douglas said he remained close with his uncle, “Tiger,” and that Tiger was from Florida. The plan was for Tiger to watch Douglas play in Week 10 in Tampa.
“He was ready to come,” Douglas said. “And he came early. He came to this game. It’s a blessing, man.”
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