Tim Wright’s development continued Sunday.
While fellow New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski dominated the headlines with a monster performance against the Chicago Bears, Wright had one of the best games of his young career.
Wright, whom the Patriots acquired prior in an August trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is starting to fit in very nicely in Foxboro. The Rutgers product caught seven passes for 61 yards and one touchdown Sunday, and was especially effective in the red zone, where his 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame and physical tools were on display.
“That’s a big asset in the red area,” Belichick on a conference call Monday. “It just gives the quarterback a bigger target. He’s got length, he’s got good hands, can catch the ball away from his body. He’s got quickness and can separate, (he) doesn’t need a lot of space to get open.
“(He) doesn’t need to build up his speed and all that; he can get in and out of breaks pretty quickly. (He’s) a big target with good hands, good catch radius. He’s a smart guy, and he has a good understanding of the passing game.”
Wright’s impact is starting to be felt more on the field, but his work in practice hasn’t gone unnoticed. The 24-year-old has helped the Patriots’ defense prepare for the opposition’s tight end all season.
“He’s always one of the first guys in, works hard on the practice field, takes a lot of scout-team reps, and that’s been good for him, too,” Belichick added. “We’ve seen a lot of good tight ends this year — (Bears tight end Martellus) Bennett being another one (on Sunday). Tim took a lot of reps this week giving our defense a look at Bennett. I think things like that have helped him, too.”
That all has contributed to continued progression for Wright, as he develops into a legitimate weapon for the Patriots. It’s no surprise New England’s offense has improved over that time.
Photo via Elise Amendola/USA TODAY Sports Images
