1. Its not going to me mentioned a whole lot, but the Pats DID rush for 162 yds today on just 30 carries (5.4/ypc) Also don't forget that the Bills' front 7 is as good as anyone's It is clear to me that as the season goes on the Pats running game is going to be in the top 10 in the league.
Solder and Mankins were beasts.
2. To keep it on the running game for the next few comments. Shane Vareen showed flashes on why he will be looked on as one of BB's 2nd round successes. Good explosion, runs down hill,and is an excellent receiver. And looked like he blocked pretty well. Definitely and upgrade over Danny Woodhead.
If he can stay healthy he has the talent to be better than Kevin Faulk which is really saying something.
3. I don't think BB should have bench Ridley for the entire game, Sure sit him down for the rest of the half, but not for the entire game. The Bills didn't sit down Spiller after his fumble, nor would most teams sit down their top RB after a fumble. Especially when essentially the ground caused the fumble when he slipped. Brady's fumble was just as egregious and I didn't see anyone calling for him to sit down.
Brady hadn't fumbled in some insane length of time. Last game that mattered before this more Ridley coughed it up against the Ravens in a key situation and he's had a history of multiple fumble games. I don't think it should affect his status vs the Jets but I fully support his benching. The fact that the ground and not a hard hit caused the fumble make it even more so.
4. The more I see Legarrette Blount, the more I can't wait for Brandon Bolden to get healthy. For a 250 lb back he runs high and soft. His performance today only proved what we heard from Bucs fans. Vareen did a better job at falling forward
He really is soft and I can't see his role returning kicks lasting either.
5. Won't spend a lot of time singing the praises of Danny Amendola. He was not only made several spectacular catches, he proved every bit as tough and courageous as Wes Welker. That being said, I wouldn't play him on Thursday. A groin is a tough injury to treat. More than anything he needs time. I'm going to look forward to the next 5 years of watching him play. I think even Ivan will admit now that the for the long run, the Pats made the right choice.
Tough to sit him given what the rest of the receviers minus Edelman produced.
6. I hope people will now accept that Julian Edelman is a solid NFL WR. He too made several nice catches. 80 yds - 7/9 targets is more than adequate for a guy who is better suited for being a slot receiver.
Lets see him play 16 games and then we'll talk.
7. Welcome to the NFL Kembrel Thompkins
I'd be fine with 42 ypg from him over the course of the season, but I think he'll be much better than that as the season goes on. The non catch on the TD was a perfect example. He made the right decision to stop his route and break opposite, but he made his decision a micro second too late. That slight hesitation was the difference success and failure. But there is no question in my mind that that will improve over the course of the season. Later on in the season, he will get that 2nd foot down.
Maybe it was just my perception but didn't it seem like KT was playing frantic? He seemed like he was just trying to play too fast and it looked like his nerves got the best of him. If he can just take a deep breath I think he'll be ok.
8. Ditto for Boyce and Sudfeld. If anyone thought that this transition was going to be seemless, this should be a jolt of reality. But that being said, I'm encouraged that things WILL better.
Sudfeld didn't seem to seperate like he did in the regular season. Perhaps nerves as well. Boyce looked to be open a few times but perhaps hasn't earned TB's trust yet. Boyce's best hook up of the preseason was with Mallet not Brady.
9. Don't underestimate the effect that the Bills DC had in this game. Being the Jets DC for 3 years he's seen the Pats offense for 6 games and did a great job having his players jumping routes. They literally forced the Pats to abandon their screen game. One of things that couldn't be missed was that the Pats RARELY had anyone running free this game.
I thought that during the game and also give the Bills credit for playing physical the entire game.
10. I thought the OL played OK against a very good Bills front. Most of the Bills greatest successes came with pressure from DB's. When they got blocking schemes manned up correctly they did very well.
Or when the Patriots receivers ran into each other.
11. Dan Connolly got the start and didn't do badly, but didn't do great. I'm still hoping that in time Marcus Cannon will win the job.
Cannon had at least one flag I remember and may have had a second. That won't get you in Bill's good graces.
12. I thought the D played very well, without being spectacular. A very understated effective performance. allowing just 280 yds of total offense is job well done over all. One TD was the result of a fumble recovery. One was the result of broken coverage, and one was the result of great pass and catch.
To be balanced Manuel also missed a few wide open receivers and missed a few in stride that could have been bigger gains. Plus the Bills penalties killed a bunch of good gains. Over all though it was a good performance where the offense put them in very bad positions. Really only that one drive in the 3rd was on the defense.
13. If I have a concern it would be the utter lack of an effective pass rush. I can only think of 2 or 3 occasions when Manuel even got hit. I also can't remember seeing any blitzing. I'm hoping that in the 2nd time around the Pats will be more prepared for the Bills offensive schemes
With Manuel being a moble QB and the good running game I think the instructions were contain first. Jones did get good pressure a few times and just missed finishing.
14. Lots of room for improvement, but definitely a good start, albeit against a rookie QB making his first start.
Better than where the Steelers, Ravens, Bengals, Falcons, Giants and Packers started. The vaunted AFCN was 0-4.
15. That being said, I have to say I was impressed with Manuel. He looked cool under pressure, took what was given, made good decisions and was fairly accurate. If I would a Bills fan I would be a lot more comfortable with my first round pick, and I'd feel good about my QB's future.
I thought that in the preseason as well. Although unlikely to be stars I think Manuel and Tannehill can be solid starters so the divsion could be tougher than it's been in future years.
16. In fact I thought the Bills played pretty well, especially the defense. They looked very solid up front and pretty good in the defensive backfield.
Mario Williams was the one Bill who stood out to me for not standing out at all. Might have been that Solder is that good now but Mario sucked.
17. Overall, it was a division win on the road and counts the same as if it were a blow out. Lots of good lessons to be taken from this game. Lots of mistakes to correct. It ,never should have been as close as it turned out, and as well as the Bills played, they were only as close as they were because the Pats allowed it.
It was an ugly win but good teams get through these. I knew going in this offense was going to be shaky but if they can get through the first three "easy" games and then get Gronk back and just show progress I'll be encouraged for the long haul.
18. Note on the Jets game - I still sit Gronk and Amendola. I'd hope for some improvement from the rookies, put Edelman in the slot. Plus include the TE's s into this week's game plan (don't be surprised to see Fells return this week). I'd look to beat the Jets with our running game and defense circa 2001
Not sure they can afford to sit both. They sit both and then Edelman gets hurt in the game and how are they moving the ball at this point?
19. Another Jets note. A combination of the closeness of the Bills game and the Jets win will allow the delusional Jet fan base to thing that they have a chance to win this week, and thus make the few days we have before the next we much more entertaining than it would have if the Jets lost and we blew out the Bills.
I was psyched the Jets won yesterday and no I'm not insane. I don't want them getting Clowney or Bridgewater so I hope they win all the cupcakes early they can.
