Hours Before Kickoff: Preseason Week 4

Quarterback Tom Brady says his favorite receiver is an open receiver. Through three preseason games, Brady has few favorites.

WR Taylor Price has five receptions, none from Brady. TE Rob Gronkowski, after a 42 reception and 10 touchdown rookie season, has just one catch. Chad Ochocinco came to New England via trade with high expectations but only has two receptions. WR Deion Branch doesn’t even have a reception.

Either Brady is lying or his assortment of targets are being covered very well.

Of course Wes Welker would get plenty of action from Brady after more than 400 receptions over the past four seasons. Aaron Hernandez quickly developed a rapport with Brady because he plays like a bigger, stronger version of Welker. Why other receivers haven’t carried over their success into this preseason is a mystery.

Ochocinco gets a little slack because he’s new to the team. After 10 seasons in Cincinnati, Ochocinco is learning a new offense, and the Patriots’ system is like learning a new language.

Expectations are high for Ochocinco because of his productive career, how his game looks like a perfect fit in the offense, and the previous receiver traded for pennies on the dollar, Randy Moss, set the bar at an impossible level. Moss had an advantage over Ochocino because he had an off-season to learn the offense. Ochocino has struggled this preseason and admits he still has a way to go before understanding the offense.

He has a little time to get it before the season starts, but when the games are real, Ochocinco better know the offense by heart and fulfilling expectations.

As for the other receivers, where are you guys? Branch has been targeted just once this preseason. Price sounded like a star during training camp. He opened the preseason with five receptions for 105 yards and a score. He hasn’t been heard from since, though he had chances. Against Detroit, he dropped one pass and there was a failed communication between Price and Brady on another attempt.

According to reports, Branch did play in three games but he can’t be found in the statistics. Brady targeted Branch just once. Gronkowski will attract extra of attention after his rookie year.

And then there’s Brandon Tate. His chances of sticking with the team got a lot tougher with the NFL moving kickoffs to the 35-yard line. Tate is an explosive kickoff returner, but with fewer returns expected, Tate has to convince the coaches he can be a deep threat off the bench. Julian Edelman might be close to taking over all return duties.

Eight of 13 players that caught at least one pass last year were receivers. There will be plenty of opportunities for wide outs and tight ends to contribute with how Brady spreads the ball around. But it’s up to the receivers to reach out and grab those chances.

The first unit probably won’t play much in the preseason finale. That likely means Ochocino, Branch, and Gronkowski won’t have a lot of opportunities tonight. It would be comforting to see them make a play or two to generate momentum into the start of the season.

As for the receivers fighting over the last spots on the roster, if you want Brady to like you, you gotta show it tonight.

A few things I’m looking for:

The Second Rounders: Are you saving Ras-I Dowling and Shane Vereen for Christmas, Bill Belichick? Let the kids play already.

Stand Strong: The offensive line faces a better defensive front than the one they saw in Detroit. If the unit gets steamrolled again, it raises serious concerns.

Mark Herzlich: Everyone is rooting for the former Boston College linebacker and cancer survivor to make the Giants. Good luck!