- Joined
- Dec 2, 2005
- Messages
- 8,096
- Reaction score
- 15,453
New England Patriots
Patriots' 4th-quarter review: Jimmy G time
September, 30, 2014
Sep 30
10:30
PM ET
By Mike Reiss | ESPNBoston.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Picked-up pieces from fourth-quarter review of the New England Patriots' 41-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night:
1. While the game was over at that point, and the Chiefs might have exhaled a bit, it was nicely done by Patriots backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in leading a seven-play, 81-yard touchdown march on his first drive of the game. The ball was out quickly and delivered mostly with good accuracy. One can see the obvious traits that drew the Patriots to Garoppolo, as he showed good command and didn't appear to have any major issues when it came to getting the play-call, delivering it in the huddle, and running the overall offense.
2. Rookie running back James White showed some of the spark that had first been seen on the practice fields in offseason camps but wasn't quite there in preseason games. After he bounced an 11-yard run around right end (9:58 remaining), this note was jotted down: "As decisive as we've seen from him in a game." He looked quick and might have earned himself some more playing time in the weeks to come.
3. For those who view tight end Tim Wright as a catch-only tight end, evidence to the contrary could be shown on Brandon LaFell's 37-yard catch-and-run (8:17 remaining). Wright helped pave the way with a solid block (possible hold?) as he could also be positioning himself for more playing time in the weeks to come.
Charting Patriots' O-line combinations
September, 30, 2014
Sep 30
8:30
PM ET
By Mike Reiss | ESPNBoston.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The New England Patriots used five different combinations along the offensive line in their 41-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night as they used the latter portions of the action to try some different combinations.
A breakdown by drive:
1. Nate Solder-Dan Connolly-Bryan Stork-Cameron Fleming-Sebastian Vollmer (3-and-out)
2. Solder-Connolly-Stork-Fleming-Vollmer (8 plays and punt)
3. Solder-Connolly-Stork-Fleming-Vollmer (8 plays and punt)
4. Solder-Connolly-Stork-Fleming-Marcus Cannon (4 plays and punt)
5. Solder-Connolly-Stork-Fleming-Vollmer (3 plays and punt)
6. Solder-Connolly-Stork-Fleming-Vollmer (3 plays/strip sack)
7. Solder-Connolly-Stork-Fleming-Vollmer (2 plays/INT)
8. Cannon-Connolly-Stork-Fleming-Vollmer (4 plays/TD)
9. Solder-Connolly-Stork-Ryan Wendell-Vollmer (3 plays/pick-6)
10. Solder-Wendell-Stork-Fleming-Cannon (7 plays/TD)
11. Cannon-Wendell-Stork-Fleming-Vollmer (5 plays/punt)
The one player to go wire-to-wire in the same spot was rookie center Bryan Stork, who made his first career NFL start. The other takeaways are the Patriots going through the process of building back some confidence at tackle with Cannon, which is a more natural position for him, as well as working Wendell at guard (where he last played in a regular-season game in 2010 and 2011).
In a round about way this gives me hope since it indicates that the team is still in pre-season mode (so to speak). The question that needs to be answered is what the heck did the coaches do to this team do all spring and all summer?
