On Friday night, the Patriots laid a whupping on the Commanders in the 48-18 opening game of the preseason. The game matters little, of course, except as a barometer of where New England stands as it tries to put the stench of consecutive four-win seasons behind it under new coach Mike Vrabel.
As such, it was an interesting feature of Vrabel’s postgame session with the media that he took time to point out the performance of a wide receiver on the roster who did not make a catch in the game–2024 fourth-round pick Javon Baker, who is coming off a massively disappointing rookie season.
In a crowded receiver room in which there are, essentially, eight players realistically battling for six spots on the 53-man roster, Baker may have added positive points in his column by excelling with the unit that had the best night of any on Friday: special teams. Baker was a star on kickoffs and coverage, providing key blocks as well as making two tackles in punt coverage.
Patriots’ Vrabel Sings Praises
For a player like Baker, who has talent but has been criticized for lacking in attention to detail, those plays could set him apart when it comes time to make roster decisions. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel certainly took notice.
“Yeah, I think that’s fantastic. When you have players, especially receivers, that can create a role, that can help you, be big, physical, everything that we see out of Javon as a receiver, when they can embrace that as special teams players, guys that are big and physical and fast and willing, that translates to special teams,” Vrabel said.
“Excited. Just happy for Javon just being able to go out there and contribute. When you do those things, your teammates get excited. Hopefully his confidence continues to grow.”
Javon Baker a Massive Rookie Disappointment
Some context is due here. Baker came into the NFL better known for his post-draft trash talk in 2024, when he told Patriots fans to “Bring your popcorn,” to Gillette Stadium, as though he would put on a show.
Baker went for a total of one catch and 12 yards last year. During training camp, Vrabel has been tough on Baker.
As Patriots insider Tom E. Curran said on his podcast: “He’s ridden the (expletive) out of the kid at times, loudly and publicly. But every time the kid does something right, he says, ‘OK, we’ll give you more, we’ll give you more.’ Javon Baker is as a player responding it by playing better for the New England Patriots.”
Patriots Have a Roster Spot?
But, Curran added, what we saw with Baker on Friday is indicative of Vrabel’s coaching style.
Curran added: “Vrabel’s specific calling out of Baker in the postgame presser certainly caught some attention. Baker was targeted twice in the game but did not make any receptions, yet he made an impression.
“He’s trying to reach players who might have been seemingly unreachable in the eyes of people like us who might say, ‘All right, he is cooked, he’s not going to make the team.’ So, he’s giving effort. He’s trying to give Vrabel what he wants. He seems to have a more defined role and understands what he is supposed to be as a professional.”
Might it all mean Baker will make the final roster? Well, maybe.
“Vrabel is calling him out specifically with credit,” Curran said. “Doesn’t mean Javon Baker is making the team. Doesn’t mean Javon Baker is going to have more than a dozen catches in his career with the Patriots. But I think this goes to show the way Vrabel is leading.”
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