PostGame Thread OFFICIAL POSTGAME THREAD: 2025 Preseason Game 1: Patriots Blow Out Commanders 48-18

[signbabybrady]

My one concern for Chism making the roster is ST and whether he makes a contribution. Who was handling punt returns last night? Could Marcus Jones be a surprise trade/cut? There was talk around combine time that Vrabel was looking for a bigger slot CB.

Chism was the PR I believe; maybe not real early or real late but most of the middle...

Marcus was the first Punt Returner. Looked like maybe he was a little jacked up after Hendersons return probably should have taken the fair catch but he still made the first guy miss. Didn't really go anywhere though.

Marcus was also playing corner on the outside and seemed to have mostly tight coverage. One good pass breakup on a deep pass that initially looked completed. And one somewhat deep pass did get completed over him. I think his size got exposed a tiny bit but he still played well outside.

He's not going anywhere don't be silly.

 

[Huckleberry1]

The Will Campbell discourse is only getting worse, it seems. Felt like people were describing two different players simultaneously on the board tonight.

No matter what good plays he makes, the people who aren’t fans of his are finding anything they can find to freak out about.

They are fans with agenda, the worst kind. As you said it doesn’t matter how he plays, they are just going to act like he’s a failure. But the truth of the matter is that they don’t know ****. Campbell is going to be a great player for the Patriots for years to come, and they are just going to look like assholes for whining about the draft pick.

 

[Huckleberry1]

If he gets that pass blocking cleaned up with speed rushers/inside moves, we have a franchise LT. Loved his energy…

Yep, he doesn’t stop blocking until his man is on the ground. He has the mean streak you want in every one of your linemen.

 

[Family]

Updated WR depth chart imo, which will remain dynamic.

Diggs
Pop
Boutte
KW
Hollins
Chism
Baker.

Can Chism maintain momentum and push for the 53?
Will it come down to him or Baker?
Will we carry 6?

Much TBD.

The in game talk about Hollins possibly taking reps as the #3 TE is interesting. Possibly opens up a spot.

The McCourty's talked about keeping only 3 RB's. The TE and QB depth is not stacked.

Why not 7 WR's?

 

[Family]

And ZERO pre-snap penalties if memory serves. There were what 2-3 per game the last couple years pre- and regular season?

Starting 1st and 10 versus 1st and 15 for a third of your offensive series per game makes a big difference.

2-3 per game? It felt like there was a series every game where there were 2-3.

The individual accomplishments were great, but just cleaning this up makes the team's offense much better.

 

[Uptown]

Any word on Swinson? I haven’t heard anything; negative or positive. Did he even play?

 

[Huckleberry1]

And ZERO pre-snap penalties if memory serves. There were what 2-3 per game the last couple years pre- and regular season?

Starting 1st and 10 versus 1st and 15 for a third of your offensive series per game makes a big difference.

Huge point. The penalties last made them unwatchable, and incapable of winning.

 

[signbabybrady]

Any word on Swinson? I haven’t heard anything; negative or positive. Did he even play?

He played nothing stood out to me.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Couple other things

The maye turnover just really seemed off, not only the awful decision to try to throw that but it looks like campbell got beat to the inside, that is usually a play where maye escapes outside with ease. **** last year it was probably every other play for him. was he a little TOO relaxed yesterday?

The chism td looks like it was deflected at the line, in live i was wondering why it was such a duck lol but thats how open he was. This guy should feast in jmd’s short passing offense and rub routes. Woodlridge also settled in nicely after a bunch of deflections early on, he really looked in control. I wonder how rest of preseason goes between him and dobbs who really couldn’t have done worse yesterday.

 

[BobDigital]

Thoughts

Henderson seems okay.... i guess. On a serious note though. I have never made a secret that i under value RBs. And i dislike taking them high in the draft. They need to be so good to justify that pick. is Henderson good enough to justify it? Yes, it seems so. My 2 main things with RB i ask first. How are you as a pass catching threat and can you hit that all important 5+ YPA (ideally more but 5+ is the minimum). The answers for Henderson appears to be yes and yes. Good pick then.

Campbell made some mistakes and looks a bit rough at times on pass blocking, but also had a really solid long stretch. So not ideal, but not panic time either, for his first live action it was acceptable. Keep in mind unfortunately we need to grade him on a sharp curve cause he needs to be ready to go week 1. So he doesn't get time to be taken along slowly in his development. As far as being a run blocker? Kid is clearly already in the top half of NFL starters.

Starting WRs were a HUGE disappointment. Boutte, Douglas and Hollins with very little separation. For all the talk of Douglas being uncoverable in joint practice we didn't see it today.

Williams is an interesting case. On one hand he had 2 catchable balls he couldn't bring in, one more catchable than the other. On the other hand he had at least 2 other balls he was clearly open on for big plays he was given no chance to bring in as well as an uncalled DPI on one of those and another DPI which was nullified. Massive potential shown but failure to get any results. I made a comment about Williams entering this game. That after being silent in the joint practice this would be a massive test for him to show what he can be. The results are in IMO. If Williams was going to be a true #1 WR in this league he would have somehow someway have made a play tonight or in the joint practices. He didn't. Almost is not good enough. So Williams i don't believe will be that. My hopes for him are a little dashed. Not that you expect a guy in rd 3 to do that for you automatically, but i was hoping. What he did show is he can be a weapon in this league. I know it is early, but the top tier of guys show more consistent production by now. Williams has not been consistent. I think him being that is not in the cards. Being that potentially dangerous #2 option which can kill you on occasion? That seems alive and well.

Speaking of WRs... Chism popped tonight. I know it was almost all in the second half. I don't care. With Polk on his way out the door it's now more open for him. He ain't making it through waivers i think if this keeps up. Use him or lose him. Vrabel can talk up Bakers STs all he wants. But Chism showed well there too. i don't see the argument for Baker having substantially more ST value. Here is what i do see. Chism 8 targets 6 catches 50 yards 1 TD and some pop in his plays. Baker 2 targets 0 catches. How much better is Baker on STs? I know Jiles made some plays as well late. Doesn't take away from Chism or excuse Baker's lack of production.

Lets also take a moment for that RB room. Stevenson with a nice showing. But Gibson showed again he is one of the better back ups in this league when given a chance. Larison had some nice players too. Both contributing in the running and passing game. I think they should keep both. We know guys will miss time, they always do at that spot. and 3 deep seems a little thin.

As for the OL... some hiccups for sure but overall solid. We saw pretty good depth tackle play tonight. Depth at OT is something we need to look at closely as this process goes on. Is someone misses a game can we keep it together? The answer for now. It may be possible. Which is better than last year when the problem was our starters to begin with. For the interior... Seems to have done okay. I couldn't keep track of it all and don't have replay but overall the unit seemed to do well i guess. Waiting for the all 22 on that one.

DL seemed to get penetration and some pressure but to little effect. Not good enough. Not vs the competition they played against. Overall this unit gets a subpar grade. They did enough to be okay, but should have done better. Particular on the edges. Yes, no Landry, Barmore or Chaisson and i think Milton didn't play much either. But still not good enough. Serveral guys who should play big roles like White, Tonga, Pharms, Farmer and Jennings were all out there and didn't show enough. As for Milton I he got 1 TFL and i think he got out fairly quickly.

As a side note on the DL. I mentioned before there is an underrated battle of Truman Jones vs Ponder for 1 spot. Jones clearly looks in the drivers seat after tonight.

Farmer did some stuff, none that was overly impressive but he was there. Swinson was pretty much silent when given what i think was substantial playing time, i don't want to use the term bust yet (and for a late rounder... but remember this was a guy people talked about as a 2nd or 3rd round pick). Right now he looks to be heading for the practice squad, which would be dissapointing. Needs to step it up.

Mapu was someone who needed to make an impression tonight and didn't for me. He made some tackles but none were memorable for me.

Even outside the pick i think DJ James played well, the question isn't will he make this team or not. The question is how much will he play. While they have some decent competition at CB, I don't believe that #3 spot is not open. Can James take over that spot at some point this year? IDK, but he has a shot. I don't think any other.

As for Alex Austin, he played well too. Marcus i honestly don't remember much from but he wasn't out of place either IIRC.

Woodson had some ups and downs tonight. Which is fine for now. We don't need him week 1. I just want to see some ups from him, and i did.

Now counting Schooler they have 9 DBs i like at this point. No safeties out of the top 4 showed me anything, No CBs stepped up in my mind to claim that 6th spot. Right now there is 1 spot for the taking IMO and it is wide open. Maybe Battle? Maybe Mapu? Maybe Pettus? Maybe Bolden? It seems this really was Dial's spot till the ACL. And now i wonder if there is anyone even worth carrying? Maybe trying to find a guy in the waiver wire is the answer?

 

[Uptown]

Henderson doesn’t evade contact, he initiates it.

 

[Huckleberry1]

My condolences to Sam and State.

 

[Salsalife]

Did not like Cambell Wilson maye fumble play. Many mistakes and decisions that needs to be coached. We still have no Red zone go to guy that can get separation. Liked 6'7 foot Bryant, reminds me of Solder. Did the Commanders have any starting defensive lineman playing with the ones? I really like running the rock. Who was the starting fullback, Westover...hmmmm. Good fun game to watch. Been a while.

 

[reflexblue]

Very impressed last night with:
4th down efficiency 2 for 2
Red Zone efficiency 5 of 6
Goal to go 4 of 5...

Saw a lot of work on goal to go at TC.. great start.

So your saying theres hope?

 

[Hammer of Thor]

My one concern for Chism making the roster is ST and whether he makes a contribution. Who was handling punt returns last night? Could Marcus Jones be a surprise trade/cut? There was talk around combine time that Vrabel was looking for a bigger slot CB.

You mentioned that you missed the broadcast, which is a shame because for the first time ever maybe, I thought they were extremely informative. Even Paul Perillo had useful info and didn’t look like death on screen.

Anyway, they mentioned that the Pats were playing Peppers in the slot, and have been doing that a lot during practice. That they’ve been playing 3 safeties in nickel and dime sets, but at the expense of a slot corner rather than a linebacker. I found that to be pretty interesting - and it supports your thought there.

Personally I still think Marcus Jones makes the team, but you may be onto something. Especially since they were trying Austin out in the slot later in the game.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Henderson doesn’t evade contact, he initiates it.

That hit he put on the DB that was amazing, as he was just coming off the first hit, but still managed to get leverage and deliver the blow. This front office didn’t just go out and sign and draft talent this offseason, they picked football players who know how to play the game and deliver the hits on both sides of the ball. Campbell was finishing off his blocks, Henderson was making plays and dishing out hits, and Kyle Williams was breaking up interceptions when he couldn’t haul in the pass. These things will all really add up over the course of the season if their additions to the team this offseason keep making these extra efforts on play after play. There is a massive difference from recent years in the way this team plays, and it manifests itself in all of the extra little things these players are doing. They are much faster, play harder, and play smarter than we have seen in a long time.

 

[Triumph]

Did not like Cambell Wilson maye fumble play. Many mistakes and decisions that needs to be coached. We still have no Red zone go to guy that can get separation. Liked 6'7 foot Bryant, reminds me of Solder. Did the Commanders have any starting defensive lineman playing with the ones? I really like running the rock. Who was the starting fullback, Westover...hmmmm. Good fun game to watch. Been a while.

The offense is going to be a little shaky until everyone gets in sync.

 

[scott99]

@patfanken the back up for Washington looks better than Dobbs.

Outside of Wooldridge, the passing game didn’t do much. It’s amazing they scored 48 points, the Pats actually had less total yards than Washington (and it was like that for most of the game, not just because Washington was trying to come back). Pat’s run game was excellent with 4 rushing TDs, 153 yards and averaged 4.9 a carry.

I’d expect Maye to play most of the 1st half vs Detroit, and Dobbs getting most of the 2nd half, with Wooldridge getting some action in the 2nd half. Hopefully we’ll see what we saw in the joint practice vs Washington, where the passing game was very good.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

I don’t care if the Patriots 1s were going up against Washington’s 2s, and the Pats’ 2s were going up against their 3s. Last year the Patriots 1s struggled against the Eagles’ 2s. At the very least this tells me our team has talent and will properly compete, and that’s just a major breath of fresh air.

Looked to me that, for all the talk in camp, Cole Strange exclusively played LG with the 2s and didn’t play center at all. Possible that experiment is over, and Strange will need to make the team as a backup guard who can play center in a pinch. Like most of the line, he seemed to play well last night. Early returns show Doug Marrone as a really good hire.

Stefon Diggs in street clothes on the sidelines, late in the 3rd quarter of preseason game 1, going nuts at a play that Chism made — rumors look true that this guy is all football and a great leader of the receivers. I’m hoping that his attitude will rub off on the rest of the group and help with their improvement.

 

[Dec54]

My condolences to Sam and State.