Undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham has made quite the impression with his preseason debut for the New England Patriots. Despite entering the game late in the fourth quarter, Cunningham injected much-needed excitement into the Patriots offense. His standout moment came when he scored New England’s first and only touchdown with an impressive juke move during a 9-yard run. This play caught the attention of fans and even garnered praise from Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Although Cunningham had limited snaps, he managed to complete three of four pass attempts for 19 yards. However, he was also the victim of a dropped touchdown pass in the end zone by Tre Nixon. On the ground, Cunningham ran for 34 yards and another touchdown, showcasing his versatility as a player.
Following the Patriots’ 20-9 loss to the Houston Texans, several players expressed their admiration for Cunningham’s performance. Bailey Zappe, a fellow quarterback, commended Cunningham for his phenomenal display and highlighted his abilities in both the running and passing game. Zappe also noted the impressive confidence that Cunningham displayed in his first NFL game.
Christian Gonzalez, a cornerback, found it enjoyable to watch Cunningham excel on the field. He described Cunningham as a “super nice guy” with abundant energy and expressed his happiness for Cunningham’s success. Wide receiver Tyquan Thornton had already followed Cunningham’s college career at Louisville and wasn’t surprised by his impressive performance. He emphasized that many people in the Patriots’ locker room have high hopes for Cunningham’s future.
Defensive back Jalen Mills praised Cunningham for his humility and hard work during practice. Mills acknowledged the challenging transitions Cunningham has faced, going from quarterback to wide receiver and back to quarterback. He expressed his happiness to see Cunningham execute at a high level and find success in the end zone. Offensive lineman Andrew Stueber also shared the excitement and enthusiasm among the offensive unit when Cunningham scored the touchdown. He described it as a great team effort and expressed his joy in seeing Cunningham succeed.
Overall, Cunningham’s impressive preseason debut has caught the attention and admiration of his Patriots teammates. The rookie’s ability to make plays and find the end zone has raised hopes and excitement for his future contributions to the team. Patriots fans will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on Cunningham as the preseason progresses and the regular season approaches.
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