Some observations after 3 exhibition games

[Deus Irae]

1.) Britt ≠ Light, and Light is badly needed
2.) Neal's run blocking is going to be missed. A lot....
3.) Chad Jackson can beat 2nd string defenders. Now he needs to beat #1s
4.) Ryan Clady would have helped
5.) Mayo has ability, but he's still a SNL player, and that needs to change in a hurry
6.) This team really needs to get focused. There have been far too many execution issues and penalties
7.) Seau could really help this season, especially on first down
8.) Seymour looks healthy for the first time in a while
9.) Special teams hasn't lived up to the name
10.) The Hit Stick + Lynch + Harrison (should)= a hard hitting safety/hybrid lineup, but Lynch still looks slow right now, even as a hybrid player

 

[Warren94]

spot on...

Brady will get killed with that type of Oline...

 

[BradyManny]

Good observations, agree with most everything.

My only concern is really the O-Line. Everything else seems like a function of these being exhibition games. But not only are Light and Neal missing, Kaczur has looked pretty bad. The run blocking overall has been terrible.

 

[BelichickFan]

"SNL" player ? Missing the acronym.

Sure wish Light was back this week. Wonder what's up with him ?

 

[JoeSixPat]

1.) Britt ≠ Light, and Light is badly needed
2.) Neal's run blocking is going to be missed. A lot....
3.) Chad Jackson can beat 2nd string defenders. Now he needs to beat #1s
4.) Ryan Clady would have helped
5.) Mayo has ability, but he's still a SNL player, and that needs to change in a hurry
6.) This team really needs to get focused. There have been far too many execution issues and penalties
7.) Seau could really help this season, especially on first down
8.) Seymour looks healthy for the first time in a while
9.) Special teams hasn't lived up to the name
10.) The Hit Stick + Lynch + Harrison (should)= a hard hitting safety/hybrid lineup, but Lynch still looks slow right now, even as a hybrid player

Can't really argue with any of those - #6 would be my biggest issue.

I know there's really not the same game planning per se in the pre-season... but players are NOT trying to make mistakes and I'm seeing a ton of them that come down to sloppy and stupid play, and that's not good enough.

I noted you didn't address backup QB, even though that's what everyone prefers to talk about.

If I were Matt Cassell I'd be disappointed in myself - but also in all the other miscues going on around me which sure as heck aren't helping him. When he finally does get the offense into a good rhythm, a quick series of penalties winds up killing the drive. So again, its all the other moving parts that concern me more rather than speculation about "what if" the nightmare scenario of Brady going down occurs.

Cassell hopefully won't see the field all season - but many of the guys making the mistakes around him now will be playing with Brady. THAT'S what should concern folks.

 

[Deus Irae]

"SNL" player ? Missing the acronym.

Sure wish Light was back this week. Wonder what's up with him ?

Saturday Night Live.... not ready for prime time. It's to be expected from any rookie, but the team seems to have really placed all their eggs in his basket, and that's going to cause some problems until he steps it up. I'd feel much better if they had Seau on staff, even if it was only to go in on days when Mayo was struggling.

 

[Brady to Brown]

Good observations, agree with most everything.

My only concern is really the O-Line. Everything else seems like a function of these being exhibition games. But not only are Light and Neal missing, Kaczur has looked pretty bad. The run blocking overall has been terrible.

Kaczur is not playing in his regular spot.

How long will the O-Line be on the IR?

 

[PonyExpress]

What did you see about Mayo that led you to that conclusion?

 

[BelichickFan]

FWIW, I have read so-so reports about Clady, I don't think you'd feel any better about him than Mayo - plus, like PE just said, I have no idea where that's coming from anyway.

 

[wdkantro2]

I tend to agree everywhere except for the Clady and Mayo things. We couldn't have had both and in the long run the youth at LB is more important. But what about Mayo makes you say he isn't ready? I don't see much to say anything other than him being as ready as anyone...

 

[unoriginal]

Kaczur is not playing in his regular spot.

How long will the O-Line be on the IR?

Fairly sure Kaczur has spent every play at right tackle, at least tonight.

 

[Brady to Brown]

Can't really argue with any of those - #6 would be my biggest issue.

I know there's really not the same game planning per se in the pre-season... but players are NOT trying to make mistakes and I'm seeing a ton of them that come down to sloppy and stupid play, and that's not good enough.

I noted you didn't address backup QB, even though that's what everyone prefers to talk about.

If I were Matt Cassell I'd be disappointed in myself - but also in all the other miscues going on around me which sure as heck aren't helping him. When he finally does get the offense into a good rhythm, a quick series of penalties winds up killing the drive. So again, its all the other moving parts that concern me more rather than speculation about "what if" the nightmare scenario of Brady going down occurs.

Cassell hopefully won't see the field all season - but many of the guys making the mistakes around him now will be playing with Brady. THAT'S what should concern folks.

This post sums up the first 3 Patriot pre season games this year.

 

[BradyManny]

Kaczur is not playing in his regular spot.

How long will the O-Line be on the IR?

Kaczur is playing his regular spot, RT, Britt is playing LT.

 

[Deus Irae]

What did you see about Mayo that led you to that conclusion?

1.) Slow to read plays, in a defense that places a premium on lightning fast reads
2.) Inconsistency
3.) Struggling to disengage from blocks

On the other hand, his speed will help to make up for a lot of the negatives. However, savvy quarterbacks will still eat his lunch on more occasions than we'll likely be comfortable with for a while longer.

Again, this stuff is to be expected, and I'm not trying to denigrate the kid in any way. It's just concerning to think about what happens if he struggles out of the box, given the current alternatives.

 

[BradyManny]

Fairly sure Kaczur has spent every play at right tackle, at least tonight.

Exactly, Kaczur started at LT in game 1 of the exhibition, struggled and they've swapped Britt with him ever since. Makes sense, let Britt backup Light and have Kaczur focus on the position he's been playing for two years. Unfortunately, Kaczur has struggled on both sides so far.

I think Britt has been good, up until tonite I'll take Deus word for it, I only noticed him screw up on one play, but I'll probably re-watch some of this again for further review.

 

[Deus Irae]

I tend to agree everywhere except for the Clady and Mayo things. We couldn't have had both and in the long run the youth at LB is more important. But what about Mayo makes you say he isn't ready? I don't see much to say anything other than him being as ready as anyone...

The loss of that second #1 pick realistically precluded getting both, I understand that. That doesn't mean Clady wouldn't have helped that O-line, though, and I mention Clady because he was the one slotted when NE was picking. Who knows who Belioli thought was the best O-lineman at that point?

 

[BradyManny]

1.) Slow to read plays, in a defense that places a premium on lightning fast reads
2.) Inconsistency
3.) Struggling to disengage from blocks

On the other hand, his speed will help to make up for a lot of the negatives. However, savvy quarterbacks will still eat his lunch on more occasions than we'll likely be comfortable with for a while longer.

Again, this stuff is to be expected, and I'm not trying to denigrate the kid in any way. It's just concerning to think about what happens if he struggles out of the box, given the current alternatives.

I'll grant you inconsistency, but when he does get off his block, he makes the tackle. I still thought overall, he looked pretty good again, with a few plays where he was just taken out completely.

Honestly, of the two, I'm more worried about Bruschi right now. Mayo, you expect the inconsistency and you expect a guard to knock him over every once in a while. Based on the last two games, and I didn't really focus on him tonite, but Bruschi isn't getting off blocks and is getting pushed around, and isn't making plays in the running game.

EDIT: see a disclaimer a few posts down.

 

[Deus Irae]

Exactly, Kaczur started at LT in game 1 of the exhibition, struggled and they've swapped Britt with him ever since. Makes sense, let Britt backup Light and have Kaczur focus on the position he's been playing for two years. Unfortunately, Kaczur has struggled on both sides so far.

I think Britt has been good, up until tonite I'll take Deus word for it, I only noticed him screw up on one play, but I'll probably re-watch some of this again for further review.

I you do re-watch and see something different with Britt, let me know. I don't think I was being too hard on him, but I'd look again if someone thought they could really mount a defense for him.

 

[BradyManny]

I you do re-watch and see something different with Britt, let me know. I don't think I was being too hard on him, but I'd look again if someone thought they could really mount a defense for him.

You're probably right on - frankly I didn't pay attention to him and normally don't pay much attention to the line until I'm rewatching. I did notice him get beat bad on one of the sacks, but I thought he was solid the last two weeks at the very least.

 

[PonyExpress]

1.) Slow to read plays, in a defense that places a premium on lightning fast reads
2.) Inconsistency
3.) Struggling to disengage from blocks

On the other hand, his speed will help to make up for a lot of the negatives. However, savvy quarterbacks will still eat his lunch on more occasions than we'll likely be comfortable with for a while longer.

Again, this stuff is to be expected, and I'm not trying to denigrate the kid in any way. It's just concerning to think about what happens if he struggles out of the box, given the current alternatives.

I think you're being overly critical of Mayo based on what I saw. The problem with the D was lack of pass rush, secondary coverage and emotion from the vets. Mayo was the least of the Pats' problems tonight.