Post-Game: Patriots vs. New Orleans

[long distance]

QB - still a lot of work to be done. Its true JG didnt have any of the weapons beside Bennett before Mitchell came in and not even 2 sec time from OL but that doesnt make it right taking some horrible decisions. Turning into RB instead of at least sliding was just irresponsible and BB was red on the screen. Id personally kick JGs ass if he did that to me.

RB - Id like to meet in person the reporters from TC saying Blount looks “nimble“. What is the opposite of nimble then? White and Bolden fighting good for their roster spots. Ignoring the TD (which will be good for his self confidence) Gaffney went for it every time with no hesitation, reasonably good vision. Id like to see him more in the first parts of the game. Im sorry for the kid but Iosefa doesnt belong. Develin will be really important if we want to run with this guys.

WR - maybe its a fierce competition but apart from Mitchell im not impressed and I guess it will be easy to bring anyone to PS. Dobson playing hide and seek is just sad.

TE - Bennett is a swiss knife. I hope as durable as well. Derby looks great. Hope to see him against 1st's.

OL - Thuney was the only one deserving of Patriot uniform out there. For the moment I would by all means keep Karras. At least he can stand up to guys. Solder and Andrews looked like new additions to our OL misery.

DL - Expected a bit more pushing the line from DT's but a very solid group of 5 (including Kuhn & Valentine)

DE - finnaly a positive surprise by all McC, Long and the man of the match Flowers. Trading CJ looks like the least of our problems. Also liked the schemes. This D could be spectacular to watch.

LB - to me JC and DH are simply the best LB duet in NFL. What a privilege to watch them together. But the biggest positive surprise of the day in my eyes goes to Humber. LB and ST. I just dont see this guy cut. KGH looking small but feisty, always where the action is, sometimes naive and out of position, but a joy to watch. There just should be a place for him and it looks the coaches think so as well. Another positive surprise was Elandon Roberts, very solid 2nd half.

CB - like with WR's not too impressed. Most of them looked small and lost. Only both Jones's looked good to me. Biggers and D.Roberts (unfortunately) I just dont see.

S - Richards still struggles with his athletic (dis)abilities but I love his football intelligence. I really liked the moment when after Leblanc's interception he ran between him and NO receiver so that he doesn't touch him and urged (pushed) him to run for gain (the play was stopped but i like his awareness).

*

So for the moment our two big weaknesses from last year promise more suffering for us and JG.
What I really want him to learn by next week is to throw the ball away and himself on the ground.

 

[Dagg]

PLeasantly suprised listerby, Brissett (the camp reports made this guy sound disfunctional), Humber, Mitchell, Flowers, Long (i keyed on him and he played well IMO) Thuney, Knighton, Pass rush in general I thought we had good push.

Meh:Blount, Gaffney (was a big hole but he showed good vision on the cut back) run blocking overall pretty poor, Jimmy G was pretty average. White still an uninspired runner but showed good hands.

Overall D looked great esp starting LB. TE looked Great, run blocking and running game in general needs alot of work. Thought Mitchell looked impressive up until the arm injury, even Dobson caught the ball well.

 

[Love The Drake]

W

I thought he did too.

My main issue with him was that on a few of his runs he ran laterally and not towards the line, made a cut and took the yards. On a couple of runs the line got blown off the ball. On two of his runs he didn't trust the opening off the guard and center and took it outside. If he took it to the middle, he would have made the 3rd and 1 and on the other he would have made about 3 yards but instead was a no gainer.

I don't know if because he thinks that hes lighter he can be quicker to the outside off the tackle but he is not. Fears needs to beat that into him.

If he can pretend he is Antowain Smith for a year I will be satisfied.

Would you still like to see the Pats make a trade for a third and short type back?

 

[Nunchucks]

I thought he did too.

My main issue with him was that on a few of his runs he ran laterally and not towards the line, made a cut and took the yards. On a couple of runs the line got blown off the ball. On two of his runs he didn't trust the opening off the guard and center and took it outside. If he took it to the middle, he would have made the 3rd and 1 and on the other he would have made about 3 yards but instead was a no gainer.

I don't know if because he thinks that hes lighter he can be quicker to the outside off the tackle but he is not. Fears needs to beat that into him.

If he can pretend he is Antowain Smith for a year I will be satisfied.

First, I definitely agree with you. However, the guy hasn't run the ball in a long time. He is getting his feet wet, I am sure the coaches will talk with him. Also, that 10 yard run he had, that was with him running sideways. The OL has to do a better job of not allowing penetration.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

FLowers is the real deal
Gaffney is a BIG yes
Jimmy some work...
Marty will be very good in this O

**** Goodell

 

[IllegalContact]

looks like collins is bigger

 

[The Gr8est]

Garoppolo was less impressive than I was hoping for but it's still early. He isn't Brady, and we are all really spoiled.
He doesn't play with the same fire that Bray does, also, he didn't set his feet on some throws, like the incomplete to Bennett down the right side where it looks like he threw off his back foot.

It was the first game he played in after he became aware he would be starting the first four games, so maybe that plays into it a bit, and he did seem to settle down and play better later. His OL and running game didn't help him out much either.

I missed the 3rd quarter but I really like what I saw from Brissett. While raw still, I like his physical skills, and while very early, I thought he carried himself like a QB who is in charge, and may have the "it" factor. Happy to have him and will enjoy watching his development.

Mitchell's injury was so disappointing because he was looking like a gr8 pick. The recovery prognosis looks to be about the best we could have hoped for, and I'm really looking forward to seeing him back on the field. Looks like the latest in the line of Deion Branch, David Givens, and Julian Edelman as the rare Pats WR draftees who can play.

The OL was disappointing overall, but whenever I focused on Thuney on pass plays he was holding his own.

So in exchange for one year of Chandler Jones, the Pats get four years of Joe Thuney and Malcolm Mitchell along with a lottery ticket in Jonathan Cooper. IMO anything Cooper gives us is gravy and so far the trade favors the Pats.

Punt coverage was horrendous. Either Allen was out kicking his coverage, or the coverage failed to get downfield in a timely manner, as it seems the NO PR had way too much time to field the punt and plan his return. That needs to get fixed, fast.

Glad to hear my binky Derby did so well. With the lack of quality TES in the league, there us no way he makes it to the PS.

I hear so many people saying that Sheard will be Chandler Jones replacement, but Sheard was here last year and was an integral player. Trey Flowers is the guy who will be replacing Jones. After being disappointed by Flowers never being active last year after doing so well in pre-season last year, I'm really looking forward to watching him play this yeat. He could be something special.

 

[JMC00]

Was never gonna base anything on this game. Let me see Jimmy with a full compliment of offensive players and not just Bennett and some backups and no offensive gameplan.

Same for the OL, Scar still has a month to get them going.

I usually take more away from the defense in these games because they are just out there playing straight up and the starting defense looked like they will be up to the challenge of carrying the team for the first 4 games.

 

[RobertWeathers]

W

Would you still like to see the Pats make a trade for a third and short type back?

I dunna know...I think it's correctable but that is his running style.

Overall Blount is serviceable. If he or Gaffney get hurt I think then the need to talk to KC and try to pry ne of their bigger RBs away from them

 

[RobertWeathers]

First, I definitely agree with you. However, the guy hasn't run the ball in a long time. He is getting his feet wet, I am sure the coaches will talk with him. Also, that 10 yard run he had, that was with him running sideways. The OL has to do a better job of not allowing penetration.

Yep. He looked good on that run. They made a nice hole for him there.

 

[JMC00]

Also absolutely love how a bunch of people had James White as a cut and he just continues to make big plays in the passing game. Ya let's get rid of that guy....

 

[willard]

The way Mitchell ran off the field clutching his wing I knew it was going to be bad on replay; recoil on the couch. He sure caught your eye. Could we have actually drafted a good receiver-apologies to Edelman, but we got lucky there. Wishing Mitchell a quick and full recovery. Most exciting player last night.

I am not concerned about Jimmy G. The offensive line puked which was particularly hard after the previous game. Jimmy got the first one out of the way as the starter. Actually glad there is lots of film for him to work on, than if things had gone great.

From the couch Bolden and White would be my starters. Of course Lewis is number 1 when he comes back. Offensive line 1's puked in the run game too. Blount needs some room to get his speed up so hard to judge last night.

This defense is going to be nasty so long as health prevails.

 

[AtomicDawg]

It's the first pre-season game. I wasn't looking for perfection and I wasn't shocked when it came in spurts.

Solder didn't play well which kind of surprised me along with Cannon, which did not surprise me. Thuney is a gamer, bar none. Karras made some good blocks as well.

I'm withholding judgment on Jimmy G until he gets more than one preseason game behind him. Maybe after the third game.

The defense rocked it..at least three front 7 in many combinations did. Flowers showed great potential like last year, Collins if healthy will be gunning for DPOY, Jabaal is a nightmare.

Last thing, I think AJ Derby is making a case for himself, both in games and practices...I think if they try to stash him away on the practice squad they'll lose him. He made some key blocks and some great catches last night.

 

[The Gr8est]

It's the first pre-season game. I wasn't looking for perfection and I wasn't shocked when it came in spurts.

Solder didn't play well which kind of surprised me along with Cannon, which did not surprise me. Thuney is a gamer, bar none. Karras made some good blocks as well.

I'm withholding judgment on Jimmy G until he gets more than one preseason game behind him. Maybe after the third game.

The defense rocked it..at least three front 7 in many combinations did. Flowers showed great potential like last year, Collins if healthy will be gunning for DPOY, Jabaal is a nightmare.

Last thing, I think AJ Derby is making a case for himself, both in games and practices...I think if they try to stash him away on the practice squad they'll lose him. He made some key blocks and some great catches last night.

The last rookie TE who was impressive in pre-season was Sudfeld, and he ended up on the Rats. It would gall me to see the Rats get Derby and see my binky develop into a solid pro for them. He could be their best TE, and we already know what happened when BB tried to waive Lee Smith and Will Yeatman to the PS.

Wonder what the Pats could get for Harbor?

 

[BlueThunder]

Scar is still playing with the OL as could be seen with the various players in and out.......I have confidence he will get the right combo out there by the time the season starts......Gaffney had nice vision to cut back into that HUGE hole and outrun the defenders.....White needs to be part of the passing game......get him in space....running him up the middle is suicide.....As long as there is no regression from this game , I will be very pleased with most player's performance........Get well Malcolm !! This offense could be one of the best in years with a full complement healthy...that means you Dion !

and Yes, Brissett didn't look lost out there.....

 

[AtomicDawg]

The last rookie TE who was impressive in pre-season was Sudfeld, and he ended up on the Rats. It would gall me to see the Rats get Derby and see my binky develop into a solid pro for them. He could be their best TE, and we already know what happened when BB tried to waive Lee Smith and Will Yeatman to the PS.

Wonder what the Pats could get for Harbor?

Sudfeld's problem has seemingly been health since the Jest picked him up in 2013. He missed all of last season due to an ACL tear. 10 catches, 148 yards in 27 games. Not exactly lighting the world on fire. I have a gut feeling Derby won't be one of those.

 

[Kdo5]

First team defense looked pretty good. Collins stood out...good things per usual from Sheard. Only downside was Coleman. He didn't make horrible plays but still gave up two deep balls and totally botched a tackle attempt later on. I know he is someone who is competing for playing time and I wasn't too thrilled. But it's just one game, we'll see.

Loved Tre Flowers, great play with the sack, FF, recovery and TD.

I've mentioned already Garopollo was OK but still made mistakes we simply can't have. The throw across the field off his back foot was inexcusable. I also understand he is trying to make a play but when he was under pressure and barely escaped he should get rid of the ball ASAP instead of falling back fifteen more yards to be sacked anyway. I still expect 2-2 from the team under him. We are simply good enough in other aspects that we can pull through JG struggling a bit. But I continue to be in the skeptical camp on him. I certainly don't think he'll be lighting the world on fire.

Brissett was OK too. Really crappy throws early on, should have tossed at least one INT. But again as I've mentioned he played confidently and evaded pressure nicely but wasn't always making the smart throw. That dude can rifle the ball BTW.

Last night just further solidified by feelings on Blount. Average runner. The tip toeing is painful to watch in short yardage situations. If the chance is there to pound the ball like the big back that he is for the first down then go for it. I don't care for him at the goal line either. White may not be any good yet as a runner but I actually feel a bit better giving him the ball down there than Blount. It was a pretty weak & lazy TD by Blount if you ask
me.

Loved what I saw from Malcolm Mitchell and thank goodness he isn't too seriously hurt. I wouldn't be surprised to see this kid emerge as our #2 receiver at some point. Maybe not this year but I could see him in the future as a 60-70 catch receiver getting around 800-900 yards. Who knows maybe more.

Overall I'm pleased, if we maintain reasonable health we should be awesome w/Brady back. Get us a 2-2 start and we should be in OK shape....preferably 3-1 if possible.

 

[Nunchucks]

Dobson was unimpressive. A guy with his size and speed should show up a lot more than he does. Disappointed that he struggles to get open when the pads are on.

 

[bbobbo]

I know it's pre-season, but there are a lot of people who weren't able to watch the game because we were out of market.

Looks like our defense showed up in a big way. 2 Defensive TDs.. One on an interception by Collins. The other by Trey Flowers on a fumble recovery.

Looking at the play-by-play, things started slow.. The Running game seemed to get going in the 2nd half.. How much of it was Gaffney and how much of it was just bad play by the New Orleans D?

Sucks to hear about Mitchell.

NFL.com had a great video of the White run.. busted open by Mason and Stork on the screen. Sure looked to me like White was in based on the video..

So, what was the good and what was the bad?

i posted some video clips in a different thread:

2016 Patriots Season Video Clip/Image Thread

if there's a specific play you'd like to see, let me know.

 

[deters]

White WAS in ...and that so called "catch" on the sideline earlier in the first half? How in hell was THAT ruled a catch after replay?

Wasn't that a similar catch we had last year but he had 2 feet in for sure and was falling backwards and they called it no catch?

I haven't seen close up of last nights but, but real time i looked incomplete to me.