Patriots Rookie’s Bizarre Preseason Performance Could Secure Roster Spot

Patriots Rookie’s Bizarre Preseason Performance Could Secure Roster Spot originally appeared on NESN.
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Behren Morton entered the New England Patriots‘ second preseason game as a developmental quarterback fighting for a roster spot.

He left it as a quarterback, punter and author of a game-winning drive. That is one way to make Mike Vrabel remember your name.

Morton’s strange but successful night against the Philadelphia Eagles appears to have strengthened his case to become New England’s third quarterback. Sports Illustrated’s Ethan Hurwitz included Morton on his final 53-man roster projection alongside Drake Maye and Tommy DeVito.

The Patriots probably are not searching for their quarterback of the future. They already believe they have that player in Maye. Morton could, however, be developing into the NFL’s most unusually qualified emergency option.

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Morton Showed He Can Do More Than Hold A Clipboard

The seventh-round pick replaced injured punter Bryce Baringer against Philadelphia and delivered a 43-yard punt. Morton had not punted in a game since high school, but New England needed someone and apparently decided its rookie quarterback was close enough.

He later returned to his normal occupation and led the Patriots on the game-winning drive in their 24-21 victory. Morton completed three of his five passes for 23 yards on the final possession. He also rushed for 13 yards on third-and-7, moving New England into position for Joshua Dobbs’ decisive 1-yard touchdown run.

The former Texas Tech quarterback still is unlikely to dress most Sundays if Maye and DeVito are healthy. Keeping him on the active roster would protect the Patriots from losing a developmental prospect through waivers.

It also would give Vrabel a player capable of doing almost anything in an emergency, short of operating the lighthouse at Gillette Stadium.

Morton will receive one final opportunity to strengthen his case Thursday against the Cleveland Browns. A poor performance could reopen the discussion. But after punting and producing a game-winning drive in the same quarter, Morton already has supplied one of the most persuasive roster arguments of New England’s preseason.

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