Patriots wide receiver Brandon LaFell had a good day at practice on Tuesday, including a highlight reel one-handed catch for a big gain on a go route.
That’s a big change from some of LaFell’s earlier work this summer and from his days with the Panthers, both of which were marked by drops that limited his effectiveness to the offense. Quarterback Tom Brady has noticed the change in fortune for LaFell as camp has progressed and he’s also noticed that LaFell’s height gives the Patriots passing game a different look.
“He keeps making more plays,” Brady said, via CSNNE.com. “He’s understanding better and better. He’s a veteran. He’s savvy, knows how to run the routes, big body, big frame, makes a lot of tough catches. … I’ve got some of the little pygmies out there like Julian [Edelman] and Danny [Amendola] and it’s nice to have a little bigger guy out there from time to time who has a bigger catch radius. Hopefully Danny and Julian don’t get mad at me for saying that. They won’t. They know I’m joking.”
Brady might be joking about Edelman and Amendola, but there’s some seriousness in his enjoyment of a bigger receiver. It’s something the Patriots lacked last season and Aaron Dobson’s continued absence from the lineup leaves LaFell as the likeliest player to change that in 2014. If he can, there will be even more to like about New England’s offense this season. Unless, of course, you’re trying to defend them.