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Patriots WR Pop Douglas has a plan to give recent Drake Maye comment more meaning when they arrive in London
Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

FOXBOROUGH, Mass - The connection between Drake Maye and DeMario Douglas was on full display in the rookie quarterback's first NFL start last Sunday. 

Douglas finished as the team's best receiver in the loss to the Houston Texans, recording six receptions for 92 yards. Oh and not to mention he got his first NFL touchdown. 

The respect the two have for each other is very clear, and on Wednesday, Maye gave Douglas the ultimate compliment. However, he made one interesting comparison first. 


Aug 8, 2012; London, USA; Phone booth in London during the London 2012 Olympic GamesRob Schumacher-USA TODAY

"You can't guard him in a phone booth," the quarterback said. "He's tough to guard in man coverage, and he's got a knack for finding zones. So, he's a great guy to have out there and makes my job a little easier. Any time you see a man matchup, Pop is somebody that you want to go to, and we have guys on the outside that can make plays, which you saw on Sunday as well."

Talking about a 'phone booth' is very interesting considering where the Patriots are headed.

So because of this comment from Maye, Douglas decided there might have to be one tourist activity he does while in London. 

"I'm going to take a picture in the phone booth," Douglas said with a smile.

However, he did elaborate on this praise for Maye, explaining what it encourages him to do. 

"Just keep doing what I'm doing and get open," the receiver told A to Z Sports. 

Head coach Jerod Mayo also praised the receiver's efforts ahead of their trip overseas. 

"Look, he's one of our best route runners," Mayo told reporters. "He can really run any route, and he does a great job getting open. Now we're finding him, and the quarterbacks are making good throws to him, and he's picking up a lot of yards."

This is a big change considering just a few weeks ago, the second-year receiver didn't hold back on expressing his disappointment over a lack of targets. 

First he was asked by reporters if he's been able to show what he can do on the field throughout the first two weeks. 

"Last year. Not yet this year," he replied. 

And another reporter followed that up, asking if he's been able to get open. 

“Yeah, you pull up the film, you can tell,” Douglas said. “But things happen for a reason. Whenever my time’s ready, I’m going to show ‘em.”

But with a new quarterback, Douglas is now getting the targets he wanted. 

So let's see what he has prepared for London. 

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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