sebman2112
In the Starting Line-Up
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OK, I was going to make a thread late last night, but I was slightly busy, and saved my thoughts in a txt. I've re-watched the first half (many plays watched two or three times during that second go around), and my impressions are still the same, so here goes:
My Impressions...
Edelman's speedy, elusive, has good receiving ability, and seems to be learning the system faster than most rookies, but he was a college QB, so he should be able to digest the playbook a little faster than the average rook. A lot can change between now and the start of the regular season, but I'd be pretty surprised if he didn't make the final 53. I knew about his running ability from watching him in college, but his instincts and football IQ impressed me during this first preseason game.
Wilhite: a longer look would have been nice, but what we did see of him was almost all positive. Blanket coverage on a couple of long passes, made a good play on the ball, and also tackled well in the open field. He's even generating some pop.
Chris Baker: displayed good separation, and nice hands. On one of his catches Baker made a tough adjustment, as Brady zipped the ball in slightly behind him, and about shoulder high. It also seems like Brady and Baker have some chemistry going. Also, I don't know if it's just me, but he looked to be in better shape, and might be a little faster because of it.
Moss: he dropped a couple of passes, but he then made up for it on the very same drive, when he hauled in that rope from Brady. What else can I say, the man is a HOF WR and his overwhelming athletic ability was on display again tonight.
Galloway: Still has the wheels, and cutting ability, but he doesn't seem to have the Patriots offense down quite yet, which isn't exactly unexpected at this point. I was also a little disappointed when he dropped what seemed to be a sure TD, but he's got all of training camp to figure things out, and I believe he'll be an upgrade over Gaffney.
Chung: initially he gave the receiver to much space, and gave up a few completions, but with some snaps under his belt, Patrick seemed to make the proper adjustments, and started making some plays. He was also in on some stops close to the LOS, which is to be expected from a hard nosed Safety, but was still nice to see, especially from a rook. On special teams he blocked one FG, and came awfully close to blocking Akers last attempt.
Meriweather: I don't remember seeing him make any actual mistakes in the game. I think maybe he gave up one reception, but I also seem to remember a CB being in the area, so it might not have been Meriweather's fault. In any case, Brandon was flying around, and laying the wood on multiple receivers and ball carriers. He was in on some stops at the LOS, and cracked the QB on a blitz up the gut. He's also taking more of a leadership role this year, and I noticed him correcting Sanders a few times. Getting back to his play at the LOS, I noticed him rushing up to stuff the RB, but Mayo had beaten him to the ball carrier, so Meriweather decided to put a shot in an O-linemen instead, which impressed me, as you don't usually see players going that hard in the preseason. It also brought back memories of Rodney's nasty demeaner.
Bodden: Seems like a fit, but he gave up a few completions, and didn't really make any noteworthy plays. I don't remember Philly trying him that often though, either. McNabb tried to beat him with a pass to the back of the endzone, but Bodden was in decent position, and the ball was slightly overthrown.
Darius Butler: Gave up some completions, and committed that pass interference, but he also had solid coverage on a number of passes thrown his direction, tipped the ball away from the receiver on one pass, got the interception on the two point conversion, and made some good open field tackles. So, like any rookie he's got some things to work on, but I came away from the game believing he's going to develop into a solid NFL CB, and I think he's got the potential to be a special player in NE's defense.
Banta-Cain, Woods, and Burgess generated some pressure off the edge, with Banta-Cain getting a sack, and coming close two other times.
Guyton had his ups and downs. He made a nice leaping play on a McNabb pass tipping the ball, and he was in on some stops close to the LOS, but he also gave up some receptions over the middle, and failed to close a few running lanes. He whiffed on a tackle or two, as well.
Alexander: I'll be honest and say I'd have cut him a few years ago, and he really stood out last night, but in a negative way.
Vollmer's pretty big, looked quick on his feet, and did a good job blocking. It'll be interesting to watch him develop over the next few years. The man honestly does seem to have starting potential.
Of the D-linemen Pryor really surprised me, as he got pressure on, and cracked both Philly QB's. He seemed relentless at times in his pursuit of the passer. You don't see many big men with that kind of motor, either. Brace made some plays as well, but the one time I specifically remember him getting pressure came on a Philly screen, which was designed to suck the D-linemen in...
This all leads me to one final observation...the Patriots are going to face some really tough cuts this year, and I wouldn't be surprised if some familiar faces hit the road, as new members of the team displace them.
My Impressions...
Edelman's speedy, elusive, has good receiving ability, and seems to be learning the system faster than most rookies, but he was a college QB, so he should be able to digest the playbook a little faster than the average rook. A lot can change between now and the start of the regular season, but I'd be pretty surprised if he didn't make the final 53. I knew about his running ability from watching him in college, but his instincts and football IQ impressed me during this first preseason game.
Wilhite: a longer look would have been nice, but what we did see of him was almost all positive. Blanket coverage on a couple of long passes, made a good play on the ball, and also tackled well in the open field. He's even generating some pop.
Chris Baker: displayed good separation, and nice hands. On one of his catches Baker made a tough adjustment, as Brady zipped the ball in slightly behind him, and about shoulder high. It also seems like Brady and Baker have some chemistry going. Also, I don't know if it's just me, but he looked to be in better shape, and might be a little faster because of it.
Moss: he dropped a couple of passes, but he then made up for it on the very same drive, when he hauled in that rope from Brady. What else can I say, the man is a HOF WR and his overwhelming athletic ability was on display again tonight.
Galloway: Still has the wheels, and cutting ability, but he doesn't seem to have the Patriots offense down quite yet, which isn't exactly unexpected at this point. I was also a little disappointed when he dropped what seemed to be a sure TD, but he's got all of training camp to figure things out, and I believe he'll be an upgrade over Gaffney.
Chung: initially he gave the receiver to much space, and gave up a few completions, but with some snaps under his belt, Patrick seemed to make the proper adjustments, and started making some plays. He was also in on some stops close to the LOS, which is to be expected from a hard nosed Safety, but was still nice to see, especially from a rook. On special teams he blocked one FG, and came awfully close to blocking Akers last attempt.
Meriweather: I don't remember seeing him make any actual mistakes in the game. I think maybe he gave up one reception, but I also seem to remember a CB being in the area, so it might not have been Meriweather's fault. In any case, Brandon was flying around, and laying the wood on multiple receivers and ball carriers. He was in on some stops at the LOS, and cracked the QB on a blitz up the gut. He's also taking more of a leadership role this year, and I noticed him correcting Sanders a few times. Getting back to his play at the LOS, I noticed him rushing up to stuff the RB, but Mayo had beaten him to the ball carrier, so Meriweather decided to put a shot in an O-linemen instead, which impressed me, as you don't usually see players going that hard in the preseason. It also brought back memories of Rodney's nasty demeaner.
Bodden: Seems like a fit, but he gave up a few completions, and didn't really make any noteworthy plays. I don't remember Philly trying him that often though, either. McNabb tried to beat him with a pass to the back of the endzone, but Bodden was in decent position, and the ball was slightly overthrown.
Darius Butler: Gave up some completions, and committed that pass interference, but he also had solid coverage on a number of passes thrown his direction, tipped the ball away from the receiver on one pass, got the interception on the two point conversion, and made some good open field tackles. So, like any rookie he's got some things to work on, but I came away from the game believing he's going to develop into a solid NFL CB, and I think he's got the potential to be a special player in NE's defense.
Banta-Cain, Woods, and Burgess generated some pressure off the edge, with Banta-Cain getting a sack, and coming close two other times.
Guyton had his ups and downs. He made a nice leaping play on a McNabb pass tipping the ball, and he was in on some stops close to the LOS, but he also gave up some receptions over the middle, and failed to close a few running lanes. He whiffed on a tackle or two, as well.
Alexander: I'll be honest and say I'd have cut him a few years ago, and he really stood out last night, but in a negative way.
Vollmer's pretty big, looked quick on his feet, and did a good job blocking. It'll be interesting to watch him develop over the next few years. The man honestly does seem to have starting potential.
Of the D-linemen Pryor really surprised me, as he got pressure on, and cracked both Philly QB's. He seemed relentless at times in his pursuit of the passer. You don't see many big men with that kind of motor, either. Brace made some plays as well, but the one time I specifically remember him getting pressure came on a Philly screen, which was designed to suck the D-linemen in...
This all leads me to one final observation...the Patriots are going to face some really tough cuts this year, and I wouldn't be surprised if some familiar faces hit the road, as new members of the team displace them.
