Every year, it seems like there’s a player who emerges during training camp, or the preseason, and gets the hype train rolling.
Fans get excited about the player based on what’s written, and what they see in games. He captures the imagination, generates a lot of buzz.
And then, when the regular season rolls around, he turns out to be nothing special. The proverbial pumpkin.
Remember the immortal Zach Sudfeld, aka “Baby Gronk?” He was a highlight machine during the 2013 training camp. He wound up playing in just three regular season games. End of story.
Tyquan Thornton was another who looked great in shorts and a t-shirt. He boasted tantalizing speed. He proved to be a complete bust.
Then, there was Malik Cunningham, the dual-threat quarterback extraordinaire. The quarterback/receiver didn’t last.
The latest preseason superstar?
Will the undrafted rookie join the list of duds?
Or, will he actually live up to the hype, like undrafted rookie Malcolm Butler did in 2014?
Time will tell, because Chism – at the very least – cemented a spot on the roster with Saturday’s performance.
But to answer the question, he won’t be a disappointment. He won’t be the next Austin Carr, who was supposed to be the next Julian Edelman after making 14 catches with two touchdowns in the preseason only to be waived by the Patriots before the regular season.
Chism isn’t going to be a flash in the pan.
Why?
Because the former Eastern Washington star has an understanding about playing receiver that many don’t have.
He knows how to get open. He understands spacing, which is important in Josh McDaniels offense. He can tell where an opening is going to be before he leaves the line.
And, for the cherry on top, he can beat man coverage.
Granted, he hasn’t had many snaps against top defenses, but it’s easy to see the natural instincts he has for the game.
He’s also tough as nails, and refuses to go down on first contact.
“He’s going to be a special player,” rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson said of Chism following Saturday’s 20-12 preseason win over the Minnesota Vikings.
That’s kind of like the pot calling the kettle black. Henderson is going to be special, too. But he’s a second-round pick.
No one drafted Chism.
As Patriots quarterback Drake Maye said, this kid just “keeps showing up.” He’s a gamer, and it’s obvious how much he wants to make it.
In the second quarter, he caught six passes on six targets for 61 yards and a touchdown. During the first preseason game against Washington, he had similar numbers (six catches for 50 yards and a TD) to lead the team.
Even though the stats are impressive, they don’t begin to tell the story.
They don’t reveal the fight for extra yards to get first downs. Or, the way he powered through multiple would-be Vikings tacklers Saturday to get in the end zone.
Like many decorated Patriots receivers before him (Troy Brown, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola) Chism has been a chain mover and dependable target.
While he’s done most of his damage with Joshua Dobbs at quarterback with the second-teamers, it’s hard to believe Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will keep him on the bench when the real bullets start to fly.
He might be behind Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins on the wide receiver depth chart, but Chism has been too good to keep buried on the bench.
He’s also one of the first guys in the building, and last to leave. Drafted or not, he’s every bit the type of player Mike Vrabel wants on his roster.
“It doesn’t matter how you get here. The only thing that matters is what you do when you’re here and I think that’s another great example of that,” Vrabel said when asked about the rookie’s second and third-effort plays. “(Chism) has been given opportunities and has taken advantage of them. We’ve talked about his play strength last week. And that continued to be true this week.”
He’s that lovable underdog who refuses to quit.
Chism is the type to believe he can always do more, work harder. His mindset is taking advantage of every opportunity he’s afforded.
So far, he’s done that, and more. After flashing in the early camps, there was a bit of a lull which led some to believe he might not make the team.
Now, after his performances the past few weeks, there’s no doubt. He’s turned into a roster lock.
“I feel like every day there’s a new opportunity, there’s new goals I set for myself,” Chism told reporters after the game. “How do I get better today, how do I improve myself today and help the team and help the people around me with whatever is going on?”
He’s been helping the team, and his cause, by making play after play.
As for his advanced knowledge of spacing, Chism said that didn’t come right away.
“I feel like it just comes with playing a lot of football,” Chism said. “Starting in 8th grade, I didn’t have that right away, but then like, always being around it, always watching it, you kind of pick up things, and then, going out there and applying it to the field as soon as you can.”
Maybe all of this will go for not. Maybe he won’t live up the hype.
Just don’t bet on that outcome.
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