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New England Patriots: Players under pressure vs. Eagles

By Sayre Bedinger

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 20: New England Patriot's rookies (L to R) Ja'Whaun Bentley, Braxton Berrios, Duke Dawson, and Christian Sam visit Kayah at Boston Children's Hospital June 20, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images for Boston Children's Hospital)
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 20: New England Patriot's rookies (L to R) Ja'Whaun Bentley, Braxton Berrios, Duke Dawson, and Christian Sam visit Kayah at Boston Children's Hospital June 20, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images for Boston Children's Hospital) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 9 : Eric Decker #81 of the New England Patriots looks on during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins at Gillette Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 9 : Eric Decker #81 of the New England Patriots looks on during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins at Gillette Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Eric Decker, Wide receiver

Although the pairing of Eric Decker and Tom Brady has always sounded unstoppable on paper because of Decker’s abilities in the red zone and after the catch, it’s been slow-going since he joined the Patriots as a free agent.

Decker has reportedly been struggling to create (legal) separation in practices and is also struggling badly with drops, something the media gathered around him to address after practice on Monday.

Decker may be past the best years of his NFL career, but these are likely just hiccups of being in a new place with new teammates and adjusting to being part of an NFL team again.

Keep in mind, Decker was not in anyone’s offseason program and is digesting the Patriots’ playbook as well as getting used to a new practice routine all at the same time.

Next. Each team's most underrated player. dark

This is a smart, veteran player who has always been a reliable target and in the Patriots’ scheme, he should thrive.

Hopefully, there are signs of improvement for him in the Patriots’ second preseason game, as he did not catch a pass in the first one.

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