The Official Patriots vs Eagles Pre-Season Game Thread

sb1 said:

No, just stating a fact.

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Lot's of facts are different now than in 2007.

I missed most of the 3rd quarter but here are some of the observations that I saw tonight:

- On the DeSean Jackson touchdown in the 1st quarter, Steve Gregory blew his assignment that was reminiscent of last year. Talib was there but in a bad position for that inside throw.

- Zach Sudfield has a real opportunity to step in the shoes of you know who and I am not talking about Gronkowski.

- We have seen that Vereen matchup on the outside before when he scored from 13 yards out.

- Hightower still looks slow covering running backs. Also, Collins looked like he was milking it a little bit tonight. Not playing at full speed in comparison to his combine numbers.

- Duron Harmon looks exactly as I saw when he was in college. Good sideline to sideline speed and not afraid to hit.

- Was impressed with the front seven pressure on the Eagles first unit.

- Brady is still Brady and I thought that Mallett showed fairly well before I left the game at the 3 minute mark of the first half. Mallett still needs to work on his touch but it will come.

- Blount's touchdown run was comical. Nice defense Igles.

- Finally, after reading all of the posts since 9 PM EST, and looking at the stats, it appears that Tebow is still the same quarterback that I expected.

- Overall, Dobson, Sudfield, Thompkins, Vereen and Ridley looked good. It was a good first pre-season game for the offense.

Brady6 said:

C he completed 33% of his passes for 55 yards in a preseason game against 3rd and 4th string players on a team that went 4-12 last season. He was awful buddy; lets call a spade a spade.

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What's even more concerning aside from the fact that he simply cannot hit the side of a barn is that he wasn't remotely successful running the ball either.

I think some of us expected him to at least contribute via some specialized run packages, sort of like he did in DEN.

As Deus said, he'll likely make some improvements in some areas so that's something to keep an eye on down the road. I still think he makes the team for sure, but I have to admit that I'm even less excited than I was initially after seeing this game. Let's hope it's just "one" game...but I am skeptical.

As much as Mallett struggles also, at least we know that he will complete some throws downfield at times.

Interested in hearing some opinions regarding Logan Ryan and Duron Harmon. I was stuck (casually) watching the NFL network broadcast and they didn't seem to offer much in this aspect.

I'd have to say that there wasn't anything that I personally saw that seemed to impress me too much, but again..I didn't have the local feed that you guys do.

Re: Re: The Official Patriots vs Eagles Pre-Season Game Thread

supafly said:

What's even more concerning aside from the fact that he simply cannot hit the side of a barn is that he wasn't remotely successful running the ball either.

I think some of us expected him to at least contribute via some specialized run packages, sort of like he did in DEN.

As Deus said, he'll likely make some improvements in some areas so that's something to keep an eye on down the road. I still think he makes the team for sure, but I have to admit that I'm even less excited than I was initially after seeing this game. Let's hope it's just "one" game...but I am skeptical.

As much as Mallett struggles also, at least we know that he will complete some throws downfield at times.

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The thing about Mallett is when he is playing QB he at least looks like he belongs on an NFL field, I don't mean to sound rude or offensive but Tebow looks like he's participating in a special Olympics QB contest on every play.

Three preseason games and tebow needs to step up and fling it, interceptions be damned. He has nothing to lose IMO. Handing off and running around holding the ball shouldn't win him a roster spot.

Loved the Dobson, Thompkins, Sudfeld and Vereen receiving. Blount looked good and I see no problem keeping he and Bolden. Washington can run back kicks and be a change of pace once in a while. Don't see them loading up at WR, they can use some PS spots.

Mallet wasn't great, but he wasn't horrible. I think he's fine for #2 based on some other performances. Who's available, if we need a backup QB? Tried to research quickly, but didn't find anty "game manager" types.

Bernard, Buchanan and Francis seemed to get after it, that i saw. Swiss cheese interior line and backers late, don't know who.

Backup secondary was poor, but let's see what the front line looks like.

Lot of positives for a meaningless game.

I might be in the minority, but I am a fan of Mallet's game.

I like Mallet's pocket presence and how he sees plays evolving....he just needs to polish those throws off better---kind of like Rondo with his jump shot. I liked Mallet's touch pass to Dobson in the endzone that was slightly overthrown--should have been a highlight--it was good judgment by Mallet to go for the deep post touch pattern, just the execution wasn't perfect which it needs to be. If Tebow was in that situation, he wouldn't be able to see that Dobson is open in the first place. At least Mallett can recognize the plays better and with time hopefully he can be more fluid with execution.

Joker said:

I'm trying to watch Blount blow the Eagles apart but this giant Teboner keeps popping up and getting in the way....

say what you want, that scoring drive is how the Teebs does it..it doesn't look pretty but he's a tough SOB with a tremendous will to win...at this point he's made this team IMO

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Ha! That 3rd & 8 run for a 1st down with 6 Eagles gang-tackling him was vintage. We'll see.

bostonia3333 said:

I might be in the minority, but I am a fan of Mallet's game.

I like Mallet's pocket presence and how he sees plays evolving....he just needs to polish those throws off better---kind of like Rondo with his jump shot. I liked Mallet's touch pass to Dobson in the endzone that was slightly overthrown--should have been a highlight--it was good judgment by Mallet to go for the deep post touch pattern, just the execution wasn't perfect which it needs to be. If Tebow was in that situation, he wouldn't be able to see that Dobson is open in the first place. At least Mallett can recognize the plays better and with time hopefully he can be more fluid with execution.

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My TV had a very different game on

Hope he improves bigtime in case we need a backup for a qtr or more

bostonia3333 said:

I might be in the minority, but I am a fan of Mallet's game.

I like Mallet's pocket presence and how he sees plays evolving....he just needs to polish those throws off better---kind of like Rondo with his jump shot. I liked Mallet's touch pass to Dobson in the endzone that was slightly overthrown--should have been a highlight--it was good judgment by Mallet to go for the deep post touch pattern, just the execution wasn't perfect which it needs to be. If Tebow was in that situation, he wouldn't be able to see that Dobson is open in the first place. At least Mallett can recognize the plays better and with time hopefully he can be more fluid with execution.

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I agree. He's an NFL quarterback in physical skills, he just needs to get in a rhythm and deliver in the cerebral game.

Joker said:

I'm trying to watch Blount blow the Eagles apart but this giant Teboner keeps popping up and getting in the way....

say what you want, that scoring drive is how the Teebs does it..it doesn't look pretty but he's a tough SOB with a tremendous will to win...at this point he's made this team IMO

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Yeah, I'm sure Tom doesn't mind if we take him out and run the wishbone for a quarter. He's getting old anyway.

Brady6 said:

The thing about Mallett is when he is playing QB he at least looks like he belongs on an NFL field, I don't mean to sound rude or offensive but Tebow looks like he's participating in a special Olympics QB contest on every play.

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Every time Tebow taps the ball with his non-throwing hand (which he does over and over), it's like he's thinking, "I want to throw it there, but I just can't."

Tebow is absolutely awful. There are probably tons of players at his skill level who are sitting on the street who can bring to the table what he does. Defenses have figured him out, and that means he's lost his legs. And since he can't throw, he has zero value as a player. But I know we'll keep him and play him for at least 3 more full halves as our eyes bleed.

RayClay said:

I agree. He's an NFL quarterback in physical skills, he just needs to get in a rhythm and deliver in the cerebral game.

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...which made the injury especially frustrating.

Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I get the feeling that what Mallett needs most is to just play football. As in an actual game, from start to finish, where he can get back into the groove and take charge.

RayClay said:

I agree. He's an NFL quarterback in physical skills, he just needs to get in a rhythm and deliver in the cerebral game.

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Belichick should have unloaded mallett last year or at least during the past draft when his stock was higher. Mallett is just a much slower version of bledsoe.

RayClay said:

Yeah, I'm sure Tom doesn't mind if we take him out and run the wishbone for a quarter. He's getting old anyway.

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Nice to see someone finally standing up to all the people calling for Brady to give up snaps to Tebow.

Tebow was a disaster out there...and keeping him on the team with his plays made just for him is only going to mess with the O-line and others. I agree with an earlier post...all of the Eagle's QB's are better.

patchick said:

...which made the injury especially frustrating.

Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I get the feeling that what Mallett needs most is to just play football. As in an actual game, from start to finish, where he can get back into the groove and take charge.

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The curse of the backup QB. Teams don't seem to keep seasoned veterans for #2 and a project for #3 like they did years ago, so you always have a young guy that hasn't had a chance to play in game situations much.

It's amazing how intensive coaching shows. the young receivers tonight, Cassell when Brady went down. A backup QB needs to get his work where he can though, nobody's running the offense around him.

Someone give me 5 good reasons why Tebow should make this team...

He plays hard

He's a great teammate

He's got good character

He's the #1 Q rating NFL player in England

number 5...uh...wait a minute...it'll come to me...um...has to be five, huh?...give me some time will ya?

fnordcircle said:

Nice to see someone finally standing up to all the people calling for Brady to give up snaps to Tebow.

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Gimmicks are just that. Vick had to learn to throw from the pocket some and he is actually an OK NFL QB without the running. Hell, Grogan had to learn not to depend on the run, he was a hell of a runner.

When they don't fear you picking apart the defense, pass rushers are after you lie a wolf on a deer. Sasw it tonight, and we saw it when we destroyed Tebow back with Denver. That's college stuff and a gimmick for weak teams in the NFL.