Patriots Country

Patriots' WR Rallying Cry: 'Stink, Stank, Stunk'?!

Responding to widespread media criticism, New England Patriots' receivers are adopting an interesting nickname during training camp.

Richie Whitt

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Once upon a time, the New England Patriots won Super Bowls as easy as Tic Tac Toe. In an attempt to get back to their glory days, might they try a game of "Stink Stank Stunk"?

With the departure of Jakobi Meyers and the snub by DeAndre Hopkins, the Pats' receiving corps has been under fire this offseason. Even with the free-agent signing of Super Bowl champ JuJu Smith-Schuster, New England's receivers have received little or no respect.

The Athletic recently relayed an evaluation from an NFL scout that said Mac Jones has "the worst supporting cast of any young quarterback." In ESPN's "offensive weapons" rankings, the Pats came in near the bottom of the league at 26th.

The barbs have continued - if not escalated - during the first two weeks of training camp in Foxboro as Jones' targets have consistently struggled to get open. During a TV appearance last week, Boston Sports Journal writer Mike Girardi was asked his assessment of the receivers.

Said Girardi, "Stink, stank and stunk." Ouch.

Over the weekend, however, the group seemed to be using the collective criticism as a rallying cry. During his media session following practice, Kendrick Bourne repeated Girardi's jab.

“We got a lotta confidence," Bourne began. "We got a lot of doubters, so we got a lot to prove, so I’m excited. It’s good to be the underdog sometimes. They don’t know we’re coming.”

Before exiting - with a playful smile, it should be noted - Bourne said, "Stink, stank, stunk!"

Not real sure if that's a nickname befitting a productive receivers group. In the 1980s the Miami Dolphins sported the "Marks Brothers" with Clayton and Duper, and the Washington Redskins boasted the "Fun Bunch" led by Hall of Famer Art Monk. Additionally, Bill Belichick is a long-time proponent of "ignore the noise."

But so far it appears the Patriots are mining their own bulletin-board material. After Girardi tweeted a compliments toward Bourne and DeVante Parker for nice catches Sunday, the receivers replied with - you guessed - "Stink, stank, stunk."

Beyond Bourne, Smith-Schuster and Parker, the Patriots are counting on production from second-year speedster Tyquan Thornton. While he has been slowed by an injury during camp, rookies Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte have consistently made plays and turned heads.

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Richie Whitt
RICHIE WHITT

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