Facing a 3rd-and-10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Drake Maye found Rhamondre Stevenson leaking out of the backfield to his right for a 23-yard catch-and-run.
What didn’t show on the stat sheet was a legal
pick by wide receiver Stefon Diggs to help spring the back loose, a week after Diggs missed a similar assignment on the same play down in Miami leading to a 0-yard completion.
The play, which drew praise by head coach Mike Vrabel, highlights the veteran receiver’s attitude in between the white lines.
“Yeah, you don’t hear my name too much when it comes to blocking. I try to show up when I can,” Diggs said Wednesday. “I look at it as a veteran guy and one of the leaders on this team, I feel like holding myself accountable is No. 1. As you hold yourself accountable, players around you they can follow suit. If one of your best players on offense is running out there and throwing blocks, I think everyone will follow suit. It’s kind of like a chain reaction.
“I just want to give maximum effort. Sometimes it won’t show up on the stat sheet. I won’t always get the catch, I won’t always do this, but as long as I’m doing my job and being a good teammate, s—t, I’ll be alright.”
Through his first three games as a Patriot, Diggs has totaled 13 catches on 15 targets for 112 yards. After recording 57 of those yards in Week 1, Diggs — or any other Patriots wide receiver — hasn’t surpassed the 40-yard mark since.
Despite the limited production from the position, Diggs is not lobbying for more targets.
“Comparison is a thief of joy. I can’t really think about what’s going on around me. I’ll be cheering for my guys. I always clap for everyone around me, even if it’s not for me,” he said. “I pretty much have always been that way. Even if you do want more, whatever’s on your plate, you’ve got to eat it. I never want to fall into the trap of focusing on something else and not eating food in front of me.
“If you’re not worried about what’s in front of you and focusing on things outside of football, I just try to focus on the things that’s right in front of me. I want to make sure I scrape the plate. I promise you. I’ll leave no crumbs.”
In his return from ACL surgery last October, Diggs has played just 54 percent of the offensive snaps as part of a four-man rotation at wide receiver. Based off of different packages and matchups, Vrabel expects that number to change for each receiver as the year progresses.
If that means more opportunities for the four-time Pro Bowler, he’ll be ready if needed.
“I’m here for whatever they need. I’ve been doing this for a long time. I’m a veteran. I’m healthy, shout out to god. It’s whatever they need me to do,” Diggs said. “I’m not going to bite off more than I can chew. Or, I’m not going to ask them anything. It’s whatever they need. I’m just going to handle what’s in front of me.”
