5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIES)

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Preseason is preseason but as each game gets closer to week 1 of the RS,things on the field become more interesting.

The 5 things I am looking for tonight besides the obvious injuries concern....

1) Nincovitch playing DE .... This to me is one of the most intriguing Area to watch.....I love Nincovich and I expect a great effort from him in pass rushing as he did in college.

2) Vereen ... Looks like Vereen may have the nod of the top RB since Ridley looks likely that he will be out for awhile,I want to see the new and improved Vereen continue his good showings.

3) Ebner at Safety ... I still don't now whether Nate makes this team but another INT or two or some nice plays may all but lock him in the roster.

4) Mankins ... Will be interesting to see him back on the line after such a long recovery process and whether he looks like the old Logan or not

5) Brady to Lloyd ... I am hoping for one or two nice long bomb catches down the field,these two hopefully will be fully synced by week 1...I still have worries about the consistent long ball threat since several WR FAs didn't come as advertised before

 

[doesntmatter1]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

1. I want to see someone demand one of the lower tier receiving spots.

2. more vereen and explosive running plays in general.

3. Someone establish themselves as the clear cut fourth safety after chung, gregory, and wilson.

4. Mallet not playing like garbage so i can actually see what the receivers got.

5. Mike rivera and Forston making a push to make the squad.

 

[Ifleninwasawizard]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

1. Hightower getting a little more comfortable in the NFL. Not wrapping guys up last week showed that he has to get used to the higher level of competition. He should be afforded a few rookie mistakes, and this week can show some improvement.

2. The supposed DB swagger that we've been hearing about. Apparently the Eagles starters should be in until the 3rd quarter so this is where we can start to see if the D is gelling as well as advertised.

3. Chandler Jones. The hype train left the station last week, another good performance only adds to the momentum. I know everyone and there mom has been talking about him but I would be flat out lying if I said I wasn't excited about him.

4. Shane Vereen. Some were skeptical about last weeks performance because it was against scrubs. This week he can show off the first team reps he deserved regardless of Ridley's leg injury (though he deserves first team reps as well).

5. The return of Brandon Spikes. This should be the first time we get to see the much anticipated Mayo-Spikes-Hightower that every pats fan should be obligated to be excited about. However we shouldn't forget that the Mayo-Spikes combination is potent and might have some room to grow.

And now I'm tired. Excited but tired.

 

[DarrylS]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

1. The offensive line, now that Mankins is back, can they improve..
2. The D backfield, how much have they improved..
3. The impact of Bequette, Jones, Wilson and Hightower are they all the real deal...
4. Who will be the back up QB, did Mallett just have a bad day...
5. Who wil be the rest of the receiving corps...

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

Whether Bill is going to test/risk the first team offense with Brady at all or skip to Friday against the struggling Bucs.

Whether or not Mankins plays, which may be key to the above.

How this D handles a scrambler.

How Hoyer and Mallett fare against starters.

Overall focus after a weekend off. Does everyone show up.

No serious injuries goes without saying.

 

[Tunescribe]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

I want to see Vick squashed like a bug.

 

[livinginthe past]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

1. How the defensive backfield cover good WR's - more specifically the safeties providing tight cover rather than arriving 10 minutes after the catch has been made like last year.

2. An improvement in Marcus Cannon - in the event of an injury to either Solder or Vollmer this guy is likely first up at right tackle.

3. Vereen showing us some McCoy type flashes.

4. Hoyer/Mallett showing some pocket awareness and composure.

5. I want to see the defensive line depth we all suppose to be there to show itself - guys like Bequette, Nink and Forsten to get after the QB

 

[borg]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

1) More intensity from Hightower
2) How Jones performs against a T that he didn't practice against for 2 days
3) Ebner.....Chuck Norris just changed his dog's name to Ebner
4) Cannon.....please please please.....show some improvement
5) Olympic speed....not even sure Demps has made it to Foxborough yet.....but can't wait to see this kid blast off

What I don't want to see

1) Brady, Gronk, Hernandez, Mankins, Welker, Wilfork, Spikes, and Chung playing tonight.

 

[livinginthe past]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

1) More intensity from Hightower
2) How Jones performs against a T that he didn't practice against for 2 days
3) Ebner.....Chuck Norris just changed his dog's name to Ebner
4) Cannon.....please please please.....show some improvement
5) Olympic speed....not even sure Demps has made it to Foxborough yet.....but can't wait to see this kid blast off

What I don't want to see

1) Brady, Gronk, Hernandez, Mankins, Welker, Wilfork, Spikes, and Chung playing tonight.

You won't see Demps tonight - 3 day rule on signings.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

Reiss' thoughts on who may or may not play tonight due to roster management issues with 3 games in 10 days, as well as who can't or almost certainly won't based on practice attendance this week.

He wonders if Brady, Lloyd, Gronk, Ahern and Welker will see any time.

Offense
RB Stevan Ridley
RB Jeff Demps
FB Spencer Larsen
WR Jabar Gaffney
TE Daniel Fells
TE Visanthe Shiancoe
TE Jake Ballard (Active/PUP)
T Sebastian Vollmer
T Matt Kopa
T Kyle Hix
T Markus Zusevics (Active/NFI)
G Brian Waters (did not report)

Defense
DT Jonathan Fanene
DT Gerard Warren
DT Myron Pryor (Active/PUP)
LB Tracy White
CB Alfonzo Dennard
S Tavon Wilson
S James Ihedigbo

Players not expected to play tonight - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Not sure if signees like Demps and guys coming off PUP like Fells and Vollmer will even be eligible to play Friday in Tampa because of the padded practice rule. Not sure if the clock starts ticking when you're signed/activated or based on practices (first two being unpadded). The team hasn't practiced since Friday and isn't scheduled to practice again until Wednesday and Thursday in Tampa (which will likely be in shells if not a walk through prior to Friday nights game). Hard to envision Bill sending guys out there who haven't even practiced in pads.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

The O-line in synch both in pass protection and the run.

No sacks or big hits on Brady or any guy in the QB slot for that matter (see above).

Pressure on Vick and then a lot of containment when he gets flushed out of the pocket; no gains more than a couplof yards. Good practice for containing Tebow since it looks like he's going to be the only Offense the Jets have this year.

A pick or two would be nice.

No injuries.

 

[The Brandon Five]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

1. Disciplined play by the D to contain Vick and McCoy

2. No chances for Desean Jackson to do an asinine dance

3. Pats score more than once

4. Less punts

5. No conversions on 3rd and 10+ given up by the D

 

[Joker]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

I want to see Vick squashed like a bug.

not me...I'd rather he get retrieved like a dead duck by a black lab...but that's just me....go with squashed bug if that's what you prefer...

 

[ClevTrev]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

1) A solid session from the OL for pass protection and run blocking.

2) Strong outings from our backup QB: Hoyer demonstrating his versatility in running the offense transitioning from passing to running by mixing up plays to keep the opponents off balance.

3) Stable outing from Mallett showing that with an increased number of plays during live action, he can go with the short and long ball with consistent accuracy.

4) Versatility in the running game with a mixture of power, finesse, patience, and catching the ball out of the backfield to demonstrate solid YAC.

5) Continued solid play out of the D-line, LBs, CBs, and Safeties demonstrating that playing together and being effective in their respective jobs will put this defense back in the top 10 over the coming season. Yes, I'd like to see eye-opening individual performances, but the strength of this defense is to play together based on what the opposing offense is attempting to do. That requires the meshing of all parts of the D.

 

[Sicilian]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

1) Chandler Jones - Was his first game a fluke or is that going to be the norm?

2) Improved O-Line play, whether due to the return of Mankins or just an overall sign of progression.

3) Continued consistent success in the running game. I'd like to see what Vereen can do against starters.

4) Anything and everything Nate Ebner.

5) The much anticipated combo of Mayo-Spikes-Hightower.

 

[Big-T]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

2. No chances for Desean Jackson to do an asinine dance

I saw somewhere yesterday that he isn't playing along with a few other fairly big name Eagle players.

 

[QB12]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

The offense line dominate the LOS.

 

[Nunchucks]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

1) Shane Vereen. Can he continue to show good vision, quick feet and explosion running the ball. Can he pass protect! And of course I would like to see him running some screens.

2) Chandler Jones. Continue to be productive and show that he can stop the run. I think we all know he can rush the passer, but to be an every down DE he will have to be able to stop the run

3) The OL. Please for the love of god, protect Brady. The Eagles have a pair of pass rushing DEs, this could be tough fro Brady.

4) Tight coverage in the secondary.

5) Nate Ebner. I'd like to see him play some safety, get a nice long look.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

I think this game may be useless to watch in terms of determining anything. From all accounts, the Eagles are planning to game plan and play the starters into the 3rd and the Pats are going vanilla and the starters will be pulled fast (Andy Hart just said on 98.5 that he doesn't even expect Brady to play tonight).

I expect the Pats to get slaughtered because the Eagles are treating this like a dress rehersal while the Pats are probably treating this like a practice for Wednesday.

 

[Reckedtrek]

Re: 5 main things you want to see in tonights game vs. Eagles (OTHER THAN NO INJURIE

1) Chandler Jones - can he build on the previous game or does he take a step back?

2) Improved O-Line play. Probably my largest concern for the team.

3) Can the running game continue to improve?

4) The secondary in general with a focus on McCourty and Nate Ebner.

5) What will we see from Hightower? I'd like to see him wrap up and make a bigger impact in his second PS game. Not miracles, but just a little more pop out of him.

5b- Summertime + cheerleaders. Let's face it, by the time October rolls around, all we see are faces, hands and shins- at most.