For years, Romeo Doubs had to earn everything out of the mud. He was never expected to be the Green Bay Packers' go-to guy, but after some early struggles, he climbed his way up the pecking order and forced Matt LaFleur to keep him on the field.
Now, he's left the Packers' crowded wide receiver room, but spreading his wings didn't make life easier for him. If anything, he's facing a similar situation in the New England Patriots, especially after A.J. Brown's arrival.
However, that won't break his stride. If anything, he knows firsthand how much that friendly competition in practice can elevate a player, and he's been nothing but supportive of his new running mates.
Romeo Doubs is 'setting the standard' for the Patriots this offseason
“Just setting the standard high,” Doubs told Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald of the competition at wide receiver. “Just fortunate to be around guys like A.J. and Mack, who’ve got a ton of experience and just skillful players — and Kayshon and DeMario and Kyle. It just keeps us real detailed in everything that we do, and just making sure that we stay on our P’s and Q’s.”
Barring a shocking turn of events (and a catastrophe), A.J. Brown will be option No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3. That's what he asked for, and the Patriots knew what they were getting into when they pulled strings to get him back together with Mike Vrabel.
Even so, there should still be plenty of targets for Doubs, who was probably poised for a primary role in New England before the Brown trade. Still, he's used to stepping back to let others shine; he did so with Christian Watson and Tucker Kraft in Green Bay, and he remained efficient when given a chance to showcase his skills.
It takes strong character and maturity to humble oneself and put one's own needs aside for the team. That's who Doubs is, and that's how the Patriots have handled their business dating back to the Bill Belichick days: no ego, just do your job.
The Patriots Way isn't for everybody, but Doubs seems to fit like a glove. It's all about how to help the team and earn his spot and his targets in every practice and every drill. He probably would've had a bigger role elsewhere, but that wasn't what moved him in free agency.
All of a sudden, the Patriots went from having a somewhat thin wide receiver room to one of the most promising in the AFC. All eyes might go toward A.J. Brown, and rightfully so, but Doubs is also coming off three consecutive seasons with at least 600 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns, including a career-best 724 receiving yards last season.
The competition will be tougher, but the team will be better. With another full training camp to take full ownership of Josh McDaniels' offense, an improved offensive line, and better weapons at his disposal, Drake Maye should follow his MVP runner-up campaign with another step forward.
Adding Brown and Doubs to the mix didn't always boost the team's starting lineup; it also forced everyone else to stay on their toes and bring their A-Game every day of the week. It's all earned, not given, and Doubs is there to earn his.
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