My random thoughts from game

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

The internet feed I found wasn't the best quality so it was tough at times to tell who was on the field and focus on them pre-snap. But here's a few things I did notice.

*Edelman's a player. I'm not going to proclaim him the next Welker but he certainly will have an impact on the team this season.

*Good to see some solid returns. I hope we can see more of them than last season. I didn't like the kickoff return allowed though.

*I was hoping to see the TEs with more chances downfield. Hernandez was more of a dump-off guy.

*I didn't see much of Gronk except he did look solid at times in pass protection.

*Was very happy to see the Pats defense early on keeping everything in front of them, especially when remembering the last time we played Brees and the Saints.

*Very happy with the red zone running game. We didn't dominate running the ball all night but it did put 7 points on the board instead of 3. I'd rather that than average 4.5 yards a carry down field then kick FGs.

*Pass rush showed flashes but still needs to get better.

All and all a solid team effort and something we can build off of.

 

[Aßßynormal]

Edelman reminds me much more of Chrebet (with more speed). Edelman can score and get deeper. Welker plays a shorter game.

 

[Gwedd]

The internet feed I found wasn't the best quality so it was tough at times to tell who was on the field and focus on them pre-snap. But here's a few things I did notice.

*Edelman's a player. I'm not going to proclaim him the next Welker but he certainly will have an impact on the team this season.

*Good to see some solid returns. I hope we can see more of them than last season. I didn't like the kickoff return allowed though.

*I was hoping to see the TEs with more chances downfield. Hernandez was more of a dump-off guy.

*I didn't see much of Gronk except he did look solid at times in pass protection.

*Was very happy to see the Pats defense early on keeping everything in front of them, especially when remembering the last time we played Brees and the Saints.

*Very happy with the red zone running game. We didn't dominate running the ball all night but it did put 7 points on the board instead of 3. I'd rather that than average 4.5 yards a carry down field then kick FGs.

*Pass rush showed flashes but still needs to get better.

All and all a solid team effort and something we can build off of.

Agreed. I liked Hoyer's play a LOT. All around good solid play. I'm not worried about the Saints tying it up. Our seconds versus their seconds, etc. It's the first team's play that counts, and ours looked pretty good.

Good game. Glad we got the win, Happier to see no serious injuries. Got my football jones fix for another week.

 

[shmessy]

Edelman is turning into a monster.

He's a different player than Welker. Welker is like an incredible control pitcher who kills opposing batters by nibbling them to death on the corners. Edelman, with his YAC ability is a potential dagger on every play. Welker never had those moves.

The question is, can Edelman develop the same consistency.

The one former Patriot he reminds me of most is Mini Mack Herron.

 

[sarge]

I liked a lot of what I saw with the first units ( that is all I have seen so far, recording it on nfl network). Especially out of Edleman.

But there is one thing about the passing game that really concerns me. Why is it that it seems like most of the Pats pass plays take so long to develop?

Maybe they just wanted to specifically work on that tonight.

It's not that I have a problem with those plays, I would just like to see some more three step drop and get the ball out. Mix it up atleast.

With these passing plays that take so long any team with a decent good pass rush will have some success against us.

I just want to preserve as much of Brady's career as possible.

Perhaps when Welker gets back we will get some more of it.

Probably making something out of nothing.

 

[ralphoutloud]

Edelman is turning into a monster.

He's a different player than Welker. Welker is like an incredible control pitcher who kills opposing batters by nibbling them to death on the corners. Edelman, with his YAC ability is a potential dagger on every play. Welker never had those moves.

I read this and my whole body filled with happiness and excitement.

 

[Ice Cold Bruschi]

I didn't get to watch the game but one thing that concerned me is that I didn't see Cunningham's name on the stat sheet. Did he play? If he did did he have any kind of impact?

 

[Calciumee]

I didn't get to watch the game but one thing that concerned me is that I didn't see Cunningham's name on the stat sheet. Did he play? If he did did he have any kind of impact?

He didn't play. He got a minor injury in the last practice

Edelman proved last night that he isn't a WW clone! WW is shifty in his routes and thats how he creates his separation. Whereas JE has a better YAC ability with his very shifty feet

With both WW and JE on the field, defenses will be hating it

 

[Phlash]

Edelman is turning into a monster.

He's a different player than Welker. Welker is like an incredible control pitcher who kills opposing batters by nibbling them to death on the corners. Edelman, with his YAC ability is a potential dagger on every play. Welker never had those moves.

Edelman's yards after the catch ARE amazing, but don't for a second think that Welker can't do those moves. Are you forgetting all of the amazing jukes/power throughs that Welker has done the past 3 years for us? Both of them are monster's after the catch. Patriots are pretty much set for life on the whole "shifty underneath receivers" thing.

 

[BlueThunder]

Tate made a nice grab 20+ yds downfield dragging a foot to make it a catch....his additional impact on returns makes him even more valuable.

Will be nice to see him develop into the #2 playing opposite Randy.

Pats seem pretty well set at WR. The question now is who does BB keep. Aiken. Holt, Slater or Price.

Welker,Edelman,Moss,Tate are locks.

 

[Headcase]

Tate made a nice grab 20+ yds downfield dragging a foot to make it a catch....his additional impact on returns makes him even more valuable.

Will be nice to see him develop into the #2 playing opposite Randy.

Pats seem pretty well set at WR. The question now is who does BB keep. Aiken. Holt, Slater or Price.

Welker,Edelman,Moss,Tate are locks.

If it is only one, it is Price; if two, probably Aiken. Slater has never shown anything on O or D, and his return still have been equaled or passed. Holt? I think we can get his potential production from either Edelman and/or Tate, and still get them more experience for the future.

SSDD

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Edelperson reminds me of Troy Brown, good slot guy, versitile and also a good punt returner. The kinda guy you win big games and championships with. Welcome back, Troy!

 

[BradyBranch39]

Edelman's body control is amazing. He made guys miss while running along the sideline for pete's sake. It was kinda like a college game where there's one guy so fast and shifty that nobody can bring him down.

 

[eagle eye]

Well we are all in love with Patjew's boy.

I notice that not many people are mentioning Gresko and his booming punts. I like a lot but one thing is that the blockers seem to get awfully close to him before he gets the kick off.

 

[shmessy]

Tate made a nice grab 20+ yds downfield dragging a foot to make it a catch....his additional impact on returns makes him even more valuable.

Will be nice to see him develop into the #2 playing opposite Randy.

Pats seem pretty well set at WR. The question now is who does BB keep. Aiken. Holt, Slater or Price.

Welker,Edelman,Moss,Tate are locks.

Just my opinion:

I see no reason for Matthew Slater being on the Patriots. I wish him well and he can be an asset for another NFL team. Darius Butler, Devin McCourty, Julian Edelman, Kevin Faulk, Brandon Tate, Sam Aiken ,etc. are better ST players and can be more helpful on the regular field.

Perhaps Price can come down with a "leg injury" while he acclimates to Foxboro.

I'd keep Holt for now.

I'd keep Aiken - - he's a football player and can plug several positions.

 

[shmessy]

Edelman's yards after the catch ARE amazing, but don't for a second think that Welker can't do those moves. Are you forgetting all of the amazing jukes/power throughs that Welker has done the past 3 years for us? Both of them are monster's after the catch. Patriots are pretty much set for life on the whole "shifty underneath receivers" thing.

"Edelman's yards after the catch ARE amazing, but don't for a second think that Welker can't do those moves."

He can't.

Look, WW is shifty, but not THAT shifty. To these eyes, WW is a 7.5 (pre-injury) on the shifty scale. JE is a 9.

WW is a better route runner at this stage and has better hands. His fundamentals are better.

WW is very shifty. JE breaks opponents ankles.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I agree Edelman's body control is off the charts.

 

[BradyFTW!]

"Edelman's yards after the catch ARE amazing, but don't for a second think that Welker can't do those moves."

He can't.

Look, WW is shifty, but not THAT shifty. To these eyes, WW is a 7.5 (pre-injury) on the shifty scale. JE is a 9.

WW is a better route runner at this stage and has better hands. His fundamentals are better.

WW is very shifty. JE breaks opponents ankles.

Agreed. Welker (pre-injury) is better at getting separation, making the catch, and moving the chains, but the downfield element to Edelman's game is something that Welker's never really had. They have a lot of similarities, but more differences than people give them credit for.

 

[Run DMC]

I watched the entire game on NFL network in stunning HD with DVR for play reviewing.
Edelperson is a baller. Period.
McCourty had a very nice run back on kickoff. The dude has wheels and he's not our usual smurf size at CB.
Pat Chung and B Spikes were all over the field.
Tate made a nice grab.
Hernandez didn't look as good as I expected, however, he had Zac R (who looked terrible) throwing to him.
Brady looked quite intense for preseason game #1. He looks motivated.
OL and DL looked surprisingly good.
Our #2's looked pretty terrible on D.
Hail to Zoltan! The kid is good.
I thought before seeing this, we were an 8-8 team. 10-6, 11-5 seems more like it to me now.
This is going to be a fun season.

 

[Nathan]

Edelman is LEGIT.

Not as much lateral quickness as Welker but he's got 1 more gear and more power. Obviously not as good as Wes right now but this kid has been playing receiver for what, 20 months?

Loved the Tate toe tap at the sidelines. Loved the power running game in the red zone. Didn't see as much out of Hernandez as I'd hoped but it'll come I think.

Spikes was around the ball a lot. I watched him at the snap and his ability to sniff out the play is as advertised.

I started doing some other stuff when Hoyer came in and just kind of watched in the background so I didn't see much of Price but I have to say I'm feeling pretty good right now.