- Joined
- Jul 11, 2005
- Messages
- 15,517
- Reaction score
- 27,504
Its very hard to try and evaluate anything from a game were only back ups played and there was clearly no game planing. But I'll take a brief shot anyway:
1. In general, I think it bodes well for the defensive depth that the Pats played so well on that side of the ball, including 2 series against the Giants #1's. I especially liked the fact that in a half time interview BB stated the need to play better in the run game, and, voila, after the break the Pats DID play much better in the run game.
2. After 2 full years, we finally saw life from Jake Bequette. I thought he played very will this game, with several tackles including a sack and one tackle for a loss on a run. He set the edge well and it could be that he's a better fit as 3-4 OLB than he was as a 4-3 DE. But here's the problem for Bequette. Although he's playing much better this TC, I really like Zack Moore. For a kid who played at at a division 2 school. (think Bentley, and AIC), he has shown me more potential upside than Jake. If the choice winds up between the 2 of them, I think Moore needs to be a the guy who stays.
That being said, I would not be surprised to see Bequette get picked up if cut, with Dallas being a likely landing spot.
3. I'm very sad to say that there hasn't been a SINGLE run made by Robert White that would lead me to believe his an NFL quality RB. I doubt he has a single yd after contact this preseason. Yes he made a nice catch coming out of the backfield, but we have a bunch of other guys who can do that, and also add to more to ST's. I will be very disappointed in BB if White gets a roster spot. Why? Because it will mean that he got that spot only because he was a late 4th round pick. I'd like to think that one of BB's best qualities is that he's very comfortable admitting personnel mistakes and moving on. Personally I thought both Gray and Finch showed a LOT more than White. In a roster so tight and so many decent players fighting for a spot, giving one to Robert White just because he's a draft pick, would be a waste.
4. It was really good to see Darius Flemming hold up in the run game, by and large. He has KPL speed, and I think is going to be an asset in coverage and ST's. He is definitely one of those guys who deserves a roster spot. He's never going to make it to the PS.
5. Now to the OL - While its very hard to evaluate the OL in a game like this, I thought the OL did well in pass protection, especially in the first half. Not so much in the run game. Kline did get beat on a rush late in the game, but he did well the other 70 odd plays he was in. I think too much weight is put on single plays (both plus and minus) in these games.
The most important positive about this game was that a lot of young guys got a LOT of snaps and BB has enough film on them to make sound judgements on who gets roster spots.
6. Since who starts on the OL will be the most talked about topic the next 10 days, my guess is BB goes with the Vets and it will be Solder, Connolly, Wendelll, Cannon, and Volmer. The other 4 slots is anyone's guess.
7. I guess a Garapolo comment is mandatory, so here's mine. I thought his rawness was exposed more this game. But the qualities that will make him a fine NFL QB in a few years were still there to be seen. He showed poise under pressure, leadership, that awesome quick release, and very good instincts. Thus far you'd have to believe that he's one of the better rookie QB drafted this year, BUT, I don''t think he's ready to step into a game against a good defense who have game planned him. Malllet is still needed.
On the plus side, one play stands out. On his TD pass, the quality I thought was exposed was his vision/imagination. Because when he put the ball in the air, Dobson was not only covered well by the DB, the defender had a step on him. It was AFTER the ball was in the air, that Dobson blew by the defender and made that great catch. It takes both courage and vision to be able to see that result, because when he made the decision to put the ball up, Dobson would have looked completely covered.
8. Dobson's performance was also a highlight of the night. Very impressive given how long he's been out and how far he has to go. Very promising for the future.
9. Add me to those surprised to see Tim Wright on the field last night. I was very encouraged to see how quickly he fit in and still be productive he was. I'm beginning to think my original prediction of 30 catches, most of which would come after September, was too conservative.
Still I would pump the breaks on him being a key part of the offense. I see his main contribution being (at least this year) giving Josh more options formation wise, and as another big man threat on the GL. Remember in my receiver utopia, I want them all to be just effective JAG's with only Gronk being first among equals.
11. Speaking about pumping the breaks. Just like I thought all the hype that came with the Browner signing was over done in the beginning, I think the recent backlash negativity on him is equally over done. He's NEVER been a shutdown CB. Christ, he's 6'4, 220 and 30 years old, why would anyone be surprised to see a 4.3 WR get behind him.
Browner has a SPECIFIC skill set that makes him invaluable IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS. Almost every WR can beat him deep. Brawner's forte is to get hands on the receiver to delay that inevitability for as long as possible and play excellent trail technique with his size and arm length making it very difficult to loft it over his head. Also the loft needed to get it successfully over his head brings the S more into play.
Great passes are going to beat him, just like every other DB. But any mistakes, like slight underthrows, he's gong to eat up. I think I said in my first post about the Browner signing, that his contribution to this team is going to be as a plug and play match up player in the various weekly defenses. There will be some weeks where he'll be a key contributor. There will be other weeks where the match ups are less favorable and he'll play a lesser role.
12. Count me among the loyal minions who can't wait to see how the OL and safety carousel end up playing out. Its getting to the point where its almost like a kid who can't wait for christmas to see what's in those boxes under the tree. 10 days and counting until we get to see what's in those boxes. Buckle up boys (and girls) It's for real now.
1. In general, I think it bodes well for the defensive depth that the Pats played so well on that side of the ball, including 2 series against the Giants #1's. I especially liked the fact that in a half time interview BB stated the need to play better in the run game, and, voila, after the break the Pats DID play much better in the run game.
2. After 2 full years, we finally saw life from Jake Bequette. I thought he played very will this game, with several tackles including a sack and one tackle for a loss on a run. He set the edge well and it could be that he's a better fit as 3-4 OLB than he was as a 4-3 DE. But here's the problem for Bequette. Although he's playing much better this TC, I really like Zack Moore. For a kid who played at at a division 2 school. (think Bentley, and AIC), he has shown me more potential upside than Jake. If the choice winds up between the 2 of them, I think Moore needs to be a the guy who stays.
That being said, I would not be surprised to see Bequette get picked up if cut, with Dallas being a likely landing spot.
3. I'm very sad to say that there hasn't been a SINGLE run made by Robert White that would lead me to believe his an NFL quality RB. I doubt he has a single yd after contact this preseason. Yes he made a nice catch coming out of the backfield, but we have a bunch of other guys who can do that, and also add to more to ST's. I will be very disappointed in BB if White gets a roster spot. Why? Because it will mean that he got that spot only because he was a late 4th round pick. I'd like to think that one of BB's best qualities is that he's very comfortable admitting personnel mistakes and moving on. Personally I thought both Gray and Finch showed a LOT more than White. In a roster so tight and so many decent players fighting for a spot, giving one to Robert White just because he's a draft pick, would be a waste.
4. It was really good to see Darius Flemming hold up in the run game, by and large. He has KPL speed, and I think is going to be an asset in coverage and ST's. He is definitely one of those guys who deserves a roster spot. He's never going to make it to the PS.
5. Now to the OL - While its very hard to evaluate the OL in a game like this, I thought the OL did well in pass protection, especially in the first half. Not so much in the run game. Kline did get beat on a rush late in the game, but he did well the other 70 odd plays he was in. I think too much weight is put on single plays (both plus and minus) in these games.
The most important positive about this game was that a lot of young guys got a LOT of snaps and BB has enough film on them to make sound judgements on who gets roster spots.
6. Since who starts on the OL will be the most talked about topic the next 10 days, my guess is BB goes with the Vets and it will be Solder, Connolly, Wendelll, Cannon, and Volmer. The other 4 slots is anyone's guess.
7. I guess a Garapolo comment is mandatory, so here's mine. I thought his rawness was exposed more this game. But the qualities that will make him a fine NFL QB in a few years were still there to be seen. He showed poise under pressure, leadership, that awesome quick release, and very good instincts. Thus far you'd have to believe that he's one of the better rookie QB drafted this year, BUT, I don''t think he's ready to step into a game against a good defense who have game planned him. Malllet is still needed.
On the plus side, one play stands out. On his TD pass, the quality I thought was exposed was his vision/imagination. Because when he put the ball in the air, Dobson was not only covered well by the DB, the defender had a step on him. It was AFTER the ball was in the air, that Dobson blew by the defender and made that great catch. It takes both courage and vision to be able to see that result, because when he made the decision to put the ball up, Dobson would have looked completely covered.
8. Dobson's performance was also a highlight of the night. Very impressive given how long he's been out and how far he has to go. Very promising for the future.
9. Add me to those surprised to see Tim Wright on the field last night. I was very encouraged to see how quickly he fit in and still be productive he was. I'm beginning to think my original prediction of 30 catches, most of which would come after September, was too conservative.
Still I would pump the breaks on him being a key part of the offense. I see his main contribution being (at least this year) giving Josh more options formation wise, and as another big man threat on the GL. Remember in my receiver utopia, I want them all to be just effective JAG's with only Gronk being first among equals.
11. Speaking about pumping the breaks. Just like I thought all the hype that came with the Browner signing was over done in the beginning, I think the recent backlash negativity on him is equally over done. He's NEVER been a shutdown CB. Christ, he's 6'4, 220 and 30 years old, why would anyone be surprised to see a 4.3 WR get behind him.
Browner has a SPECIFIC skill set that makes him invaluable IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS. Almost every WR can beat him deep. Brawner's forte is to get hands on the receiver to delay that inevitability for as long as possible and play excellent trail technique with his size and arm length making it very difficult to loft it over his head. Also the loft needed to get it successfully over his head brings the S more into play.
Great passes are going to beat him, just like every other DB. But any mistakes, like slight underthrows, he's gong to eat up. I think I said in my first post about the Browner signing, that his contribution to this team is going to be as a plug and play match up player in the various weekly defenses. There will be some weeks where he'll be a key contributor. There will be other weeks where the match ups are less favorable and he'll play a lesser role.
12. Count me among the loyal minions who can't wait to see how the OL and safety carousel end up playing out. Its getting to the point where its almost like a kid who can't wait for christmas to see what's in those boxes under the tree. 10 days and counting until we get to see what's in those boxes. Buckle up boys (and girls) It's for real now.
