Moving on: What we're watching for next

[Uncle Rico]

So, I think there's a general consensus that there were a lot good things on display last night, tempered by all the usual disclaimers (vanilla game plans, only the first pre-season game, etc.) It was great having football back, but we still have three more pre-season games to get through (ugh) before it really counts.

What's everyone watching for this week, in practices and the Atlanta game? Here's my list:

• Cunningham. Hoping he comes back soon and gets some game time.
• Butler. I think there's some debate over his performance and I'd like to see him have a clean week
• How the D front builds off this game. I'm worried that TWarren's injury is significant; GWarren and Murrell and others looked good last night so hoping that keeps up.
• I'm intrigued by the Sergio Brown story
• Bit more from Tate and Price, and some more receiving opps for Gronk/Hernandez. Though I think coaches will keep pushing the power game before getting fancy.
• Sustained quality play from Spikes, Zoltan, McCourty, Chung
• I'd be surprised if WW sees game action in Atlanta.

I'm sure some of our sharper-eyed observers can add to this list, so please bring it on.

 

[MOSS]

All of the team.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Consistency is the key. Always playing at a high level regardless of the opponent. Last night was a good showing and I must say my expectations of this team and what they were going to do this season is whether or not the rookies and coaches can build a elite defense in a hurry with the last few draft classes.

Collapsing the pocket? I haven't seen that in awhile. With the cb's we have and the pressure coming I have a very good feeling this team is going to be much better on 3rd downs this year.

 

[mgteich]

We need to see Cunningham and Holt. We also need to see Tate against the #1's. Finally, we need to see more of McKenzie.

 

[TX_Patriot]

So am I the only one who could care less about Holt? I would rather keep some of the younger WRs around and let them develop rather than have Holt for 30 receptions and gone next year.

 

[yuval]

Cunningham of course.

Also I would like to see if Wheatley keeps improving after his solid performance vs the Saints.

 

[pencilneckgeek]

I want to see who on the DLine steps up and is the fifth man, assuming Ty Warren is really gone. Wright, Wilfork, Warren, and Lewis aren't enough. I'm also going to keep a close eye on Lewis since it sounds like he's moving up the depth chart a notch.

OLB again. Can Murrell build on his fast start (a huge relief to me last night)? Can Nink offer anything at that spot? Like everyone else, I want to see Cunningham most of all.

ILB. McKenzie didn't stand out; that's good for a rookie OL, CB, NT, but not for an ILB. I'd like to see him make a play. Was surpised to see Fletcher out there so quickly.

CB Butler needs a short memory. I expect more from him next week. Wheatley looks to be moving up on Wilhite. Can he be consistent; can Wilhite settle down and just do his job?

TE Mixed bag last night. I want to see Hernandez get his head in the game and stop worrying about the previous play. I want to see Gronk with the ball.

OL Can the first unit keep it up?

 

[Uncle Rico]

So am I the only one who couldn't care less about Holt? I would rather keep some of the younger WRs around and let them develop rather than have Holt for 30 receptions and gone next year.

I can say with absolute certainty you are not the only one.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

So, I think there's a general consensus that there were a lot good things on display last night, tempered by all the usual disclaimers (vanilla game plans, only the first pre-season game, etc.) It was great having football back, but we still have three more pre-season games to get through (ugh) before it really counts.

What's everyone watching for this week, in practices and the Atlanta game? Here's my list:

• Cunningham. Hoping he comes back soon and gets some game time.
• Butler. I think there's some debate over his performance and I'd like to see him have a clean week
• How the D front builds off this game. I'm worried that TWarren's injury is significant; GWarren and Murrell and others looked good last night so hoping that keeps up.
• I'm intrigued by the Sergio Brown story
• Bit more from Tate and Price, and some more receiving opps for Gronk/Hernandez. Though I think coaches will keep pushing the power game before getting fancy.
• Sustained quality play from Spikes, Zoltan, McCourty, Chung
• I'd be surprised if WW sees game action in Atlanta.

I'm sure some of our sharper-eyed observers can add to this list, so please bring it on.

I heard that, back in 82, you could throw a football a quarter mile.

 

[Ring 6]

So am I the only one who could care less about Holt? I would rather keep some of the younger WRs around and let them develop rather than have Holt for 30 receptions and gone next year.

But without him you have Moss, who is aging and was banged up last year, Welker coming off a bad injury, and everyone behind them has played a combined total of about 12 NFL games.
I like our young guys at WR, but I'm not so sure we want to abandon any shred of experience behind 1 and 2.

 

[Uncle Rico]

I heard that, back in 82, you could throw a football a quarter mile.

Coach woulda put me in fourth quarter, we would've been state champions. No doubt. No doubt in my mind.

 

[TX_Patriot]

But without him you have Moss, who is aging and was banged up last year, Welker coming off a bad injury, and everyone behind them has played a combined total of about 12 NFL games.
I like our young guys at WR, but I'm not so sure we want to abandon any shred of experience behind 1 and 2.

I hear you on the experience, but this year we should have a Trio of TE's that will help Brady in the passing game unlike last year.

The Galloway fiasco really hurt our WR depth but I think as big a problem as Galloway was that Brady lost all confidence in Watson...there was just no consistency there. I'm hoping with some real options at TE, we can withstand WR injuries much better than last year.

All that being said, we still haven't seen WW in any in-game action. His not completely healed until he takes a real hit running across the middle. Until that happens, Holt will hang around.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I just want to see continued improvement in all facets of the game, to be quite honest and simple. What we saw last night was one game. We all know consistency is key.

Can Spikes build on his performance? Can Murrell do what he did last night on a consistent basis and when it matters? Can Butler forget that dreadful performance? Is Chung really Rodney Harrison 2.0? Is Edelman human? Let's go to Atlanta!

 

[Uncle Rico]

I guess I don't see Ching as Rodney 2.0 as much as Milloy 2.0. Same size, college film reminded me of Lawyer. Rodney 2.0 would be cool though.