PostGame Thread OFFICIAL 2025 PRESEASON GAME 2 POST GAME THREAD: Patriots Lose 42-10 to Giants

[sb1]

I don't want Woolridge back even on the PS. Basically, its his throwing motion. He has a 3/4s motion that is too easily blocked as we saw so often tonight. We can do better on cut down day for the PS.

Agreed.

The broadcast said his TD pass was a good throw. The outcome was good but was really it a good throw? Eh. Had this weird windup that a defense at full speed easily reads and knocks away.

 

[sb1]

It was a brutal hold (again), they'll see that on tape.
My main concern from last night were the kickoffs into the end zone. Outside of the one right before the half, he's not supposed to do that, and has been really good at it all preseason.

Yep, that too.

 

[Dec54]

I stopped by to comment on the game but did not see a thread so I'll post this. (BTW if I just missed it somehow, just feel free to fold this into it.

1. Pretty much a horrible showing if the intention was to show something. It wasn't. I watched the DLine very closely the entire first half and there wasn't a single blitz, stunt or stem. There wasn't ever a time a DLman hit a gap. It was straight up, outside shoulder contact all night long. These guys made vanilla look exciting. Mike wasn't showing the Raider a THING.

Same for the offense. I think there were 3 different running plays. A draw, which they ran the most, an off tackle play, and wham play they ran a few times. Again zero imagination. No hurry up, nothing but the simplest routes. I rarely saw crossing receivers, etc.

The offense wasn't pretty in any area, and we desperately need to add a 3rd QB to the PS. In fact how many of you said to yourself while you watched, "boy, Jamis Winston would look pretty good right now as a back up QB, and the later added, " gees, so would Tommy Divito"
The Giants have to cut one so...

The offense also desperately need a different set of FB prospects and a 3rd TE blocking TE. There was a guy who was here after some injuries a year or two ago who did a great job filling in. He was big, strong and caught the ball better than anyone thought. We didn't resign him last year and he played elsewhere. I can't remember his name. There has to be someone available who would be better than the 2 kids we have trotted out there tonight. Did our binky UDFA CJ Cribble even play?

I thought Mapu played pretty well, at least in the first half when I was paying attention. I though most of the 2nd string LB's played well.

I don't want Woolridge back even on the PS. Basically, its his throwing motion. He has a 3/4s motion that is too easily blocked as we saw so often tonight. We can do better on cut down day for the PS.

For at least the first half, Ponder, Swinson, and Farmer pushed the pocket. They didn't provide constant pressure but they had their moments and earned their slots, imo.

Dart looked great. I didn't see a single pass that wasn't on target. I can see why Giants fans are excited about this kid. But it remains to see how he reacts when teams do scheme for him and disguise their looks. And remember the kid is almost 3 years OLDER than Maye before he takes his first real NFL snap. But bottom line the Giants completely turned around their entire QB room in a single off season and did a great job of it.

Though I didn't look closely, the few times I checked on Abdul Carter, I wasn't wowed. He's quick, but he was a one trick pony from what I saw and not that effective. Though if used effectively with Burns, Thibideau and Dexter Lawrence they will be a handful to defend.

The Giants have been very patient with their HC. He seems to have some pieces to make a quick turnaround and save his job, but he's in a tough division where every game will be a war.

The negative nellies will have a field day with this result, but its a nothing burger for me. They answered some questions about the bottom of the roster and seemed to get out healthy. I think we will see about 3 new faces making this roster and it will be interesting to see what trades they make or try to make. A lot that will be going around the league this week

Feel free to comment on my thoughts or add your own.

Thank you Sir

 

[Ross12]

Did some tape review mainly on the Offensive line but also looked at Ponder and Swinson and Baker.

The line was pretty solid overall with some weak spots. The running backs did not help the line with some bad cuts and bad vision. Hasty stinks.

-Sidy Sow was the loser of the night, He has to get cut. He had 5 BAD plays, which is more than twice the # anyone else had. I don't think he's even practice squad worthy, where did that potential go, or was it never really there?

-Strange was loser #2. His entire salary is dead cap if cut so no savings, but he has a few plays a game where he just loses bad. He does play well for many of his snaps but the lack of inconsistency continues to show, Could he make the team since he can center and guard? Maybe, but I'd move on.

-Wilson, Brown and Bryant were all in for only 5 plays. Brown had a bad run block, Bryant a bad pass block and Wilson was clean. Based on playing time and other stuff they are locks for the roster.

-Lowe played the best of the remaining lineman. Had him down for zero bad plays.
-Jacobs, IMO, is not good but he had a solid game against backups. I had him down for 1 bad run block and 1 bad pass block.

-Wallace looks much better at guard than he did at tackle. Is he ever going to be an all pro? No. He doesn't get a ton of push but he also doesn't get pushed and seems much better pass blocking inside than on the edge. He was in for 25 snaps or so and had him down for 1 bad pass block and zero bad run blocks. I think he's come out of nowhere to maybe nail down a backup guard position and his lack of experience there gives him plenty of upside.

-Lindstrom was very bad, Conley was below average and T Robinson Meh. Conley and Robinson have practice squad potential.


-I thought Westover blocked pretty well and Dippre did not. I think Westover is in as the FB/additonal blocking TE.

-Javon Baker: Lack of hands is his downfall as a wr. He looked really good as a gunner but do we need another spot for a special teamer? He still has some skill at getting open but can't catch so it useless. Willing but bad run blocker. Practice Squad, potential gunner if Schooler goes down.

-Ponder still looks like a JAG in the games. He had 2-3 pressure but overall was getting pretty stoned on most rushes. Seems to lack the speed as a rusher but has some power. Lost the edge on a couple run plays and let QB escape to his side at least once. Don't know why the coaches love him, Practice squad guy to me.

-Swinson: Show better than Ponder and has the opposite problem. Has good speed and quickness, lacks power. Set the edge better than Ponder, got off blocks ok but could be driven back on run plays, again lack of strength.


Backups vs backups is always a tough review. Lowe showed last year he could hold his own against lesser talent so what can you take out of a good game against lesser talent? Not much other than comparing it to the other guys.

I think the roster is pretty obvious:

-7 guys are, IMO, locks: Bradbury, Onwenu, Campbell, Moses, Wilson, Brown, Bryant. Lowe should be next. If they are keeping 9 (makes sense) then Wallace has to be the last 1. The only thing they may decide is Strange can play Center and keep him and try to sign Wallace to practice squad. Wallace has more potential at guard than Strange and they need to develop a guard so I'd keep Wallace.

Campbell and Moses at Tackle with Bryant and Lowe as backups
Bradbury, Brown and Wilson fighting for 2 spots while Onwenu has the other with Wallace backing up

I think Wilson is the ideal Center long term and eventually he should go there and then Wallace develops enough to play LG this year. Otherwise they need a LG in the off season and will need to live with Wilson there and Bradbury/Brown at Center.

Thanks for the write up, this was a nice read. I pretty much agree with all of it as it pertains to the OL. Sow looked worse than ever which sucks, but Lowe and Wallace looked like keepers which is nice. Jacobs showed enough to be worth carrying on the PS, which is where he was in Denver before NE signed him.

Top OL for now:
Campbell / Wilson / Bradbury / Onwenu / Moses

Reserve LG: Wallace
Reserve C/G: Brown
Reserve T: Bryant, Lowe (both guys played both spots in camp/preseason so there’s some wiggle room here)

It would be nice to carry another guard but nobody showed enough to deserve it. I would cut the Robinsons, Sow and Strange and see if I could get one of T.Robinson or Strange to the PS.

Ideally, Wallace and Wilson develop this year and can become the starting LG and C respectively in 2026. Moses is more likely than not the starting RT next year, based on money, which gives Bryant lots of time to develop and become the starting RT in mid-2026 or 2027. Until then, he will probably see periodic snaps in a relief effort. I’m good with keeping Lowe around long-term as a backup, but some team with critical tackle issues may come calling for him eventually.

 

[Ross12]

That doesn't sound like much of an endorsement. To be fair that FG miss really was a terrible kick.

Borregales reminds me of the kicker from Blue Mountain state lol.

Not Borregales’ best night. To me, it seemed like they used him exclusively all game long to give him the chance to show well on field goals and kickoffs and prove he deserves the job. Unfortunately it did not go that way and I have to wonder if he’s cracking a little under pressure. Romo really has done nothing wrong, so I have a hard time not giving him the job, even though it feels wrong to give up on Borregales.

 

[Sfpat]

It was a brutal hold (again), they'll see that on tape.
My main concern from last night were the kickoffs into the end zone. Outside of the one right before the half, he's not supposed to do that, and has been really good at it all preseason.

I wonder if he was told to kick into the end zone to minimize injuries in a meaningless game.

 

[TommyD4207]

I wonder if he was told to kick into the end zone to minimize injuries in a meaningless game.

I mean, the one before halftime, he was obviously told to, and he drilled it into the 10th row.

The other two, I don't think so, they landed 2 yards deep into the endzone, those were supposed to be returns.

 

[State]

Moses is more likely than not the starting RT next year

Going out on a limb I see.

 

[Ross12]

Going out on a limb I see.

Like I said, based on money. He has a $4.5M guaranteed salary in 2026. Cutting him next year would be about $8M of dead money with very minimal cap savings - and I doubt he wants to be a backup. That said, if he’s ineffective for whatever reason in 2026 and gets replaced mid-season then it would likely go fine.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Agree completely about the vanilla 4 man rush and the simple running plays. Both O & D philosophies disguised.
Mayo shoulda played a series or 2. He's not a seasoned vet. Don't want starting series vs Vegas to be a shock to his system.
I miss the good ol days when I worried about guys being cut to get to 53. No More. Cuts are a target rich environment.
I expect chaos from fan perspective as we churn thru myriad newbies cut from the 31 others. I hope Vrabe's staff is good at analyzing film. Our 2 sets of scrimmages with other teams should give us some insights into cut guys with potential.
Go JUMBOS!!

 

[Thelonious]

Looked like a bunch of castoffs by a team that barely sorta won four games last year. Pretty dismal, at least the twenty minutes or so I watched.

 

[The Gr8est]

Thanks for the write up, this was a nice read. I pretty much agree with all of it as it pertains to the OL. Sow looked worse than ever which sucks, but Lowe and Wallace looked like keepers which is nice. Jacobs showed enough to be worth carrying on the PS, which is where he was in Denver before NE signed him.

Top OL for now:
Campbell / Wilson / Bradbury / Onwenu / Moses

Reserve LG: Wallace
Reserve C/G: Brown
Reserve T: Bryant, Lowe (both guys played both spots in camp/preseason so there’s some wiggle room here)

It would be nice to carry another guard but nobody showed enough to deserve it. I would cut the Robinsons, Sow and Strange and see if I could get one of T.Robinson or Strange to the PS.

Ideally, Wallace and Wilson develop this year and can become the starting LG and C respectively in 2026. Moses is more likely than not the starting RT next year, based on money, which gives Bryant lots of time to develop and become the starting RT in mid-2026 or 2027. Until then, he will probably see periodic snaps in a relief effort. I’m good with keeping Lowe around long-term as a backup, but some team with critical tackle issues may come calling for him eventually.

As unhappy as people are with Lowe there are not a lot of better options available, and there will always be injuries.

If the Pats cut Lowe he will be snapped up by another team.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Over-reaction worthy of the captain.
He was an UDFA in 2025 for Gods sake. TB took a red-shirt year. An UDFA can have 2 on PS & one year as redshirt/backup on 53 for all I care. See one pre-draft analysis below. He has „good backup-level“ potential.

The guy who needs to be swapped out is Dobbs. But Vrabel obviously wanted him as a KNOWN QTY. the bad part is Dobbs is now familiar w McD playbook; a swapout won’t.

But I think the risk vs a higher quality backup is worth the swap. You will almost certainly use a backup for at least parts of 1-3 games in the 12-17th weeks. (If Maye learns to hook slide more than last year; he should stay healthy for 8-12 weeks minimum.).

Maybe you missed the game? Wooldridge throws nearly sidearm with the arm strength of Mac Jones. Wooldridge struggled throwing outs to the sideline. No-one is going to miraculously fix that arm.

I am sure he is a good kid, and had a great college experience and career, but Wooldridge needs to move into something else for his life's work.

 

[PatsFan2]

Maybe you missed the game? Wooldridge throws nearly sidearm with the arm strength of Mac Jones. Wooldridge struggled throwing outs to the sideline. No-one is going to miraculously fix that arm.

I am sure he is a good kid, and had a great college experience and career, but Wooldridge needs to move into something else for his life's work.

The kid makes Zapper look like a First Ballot Hofer.

 

[TommyD4207]

Maybe you missed the game? Wooldridge throws nearly sidearm with the arm strength of Mac Jones. Wooldridge struggled throwing outs to the sideline. No-one is going to miraculously fix that arm.

I am sure he is a good kid, and had a great college experience and career, but Wooldridge needs to move into something else for his life's work.

This is all true, but you can be a backup QB with that skillset. Just wish it were someone else's backup. You only need to win a couple of games to reach backup emeritus status (see Zappe, Bailey).

 

[Bill Lee]

The broadcast said his TD pass was a good throw. The outcome was good but was really it a good throw? Eh. Had this weird windup that a defense at full speed easily reads and knocks away.

One of the podcasters I listen to often asks if there really are only 32 human beings that can play QB at a high level. Unfortunately it seems the answer is we probably don't even get 32. It's funny that the Jeff Garcias, Charlie Whitehursts and Nathan Petermen of this world were/are at the high end tail of the bell curve, but they are.

That said, why are we wasting our time on a guy whose passes get blocked so easily? It happened twice in this game, and presumably would be more if he were playing against starters. It's like giving away downs to the opponent.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

The kid makes Zapper look like a First Ballot Hofer.

Yes, true, I thought where is Zappe now? I didn't want to say that because @Gumby seemed in deep denial.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

This is all true, but you can be a backup QB with that skillset. Just wish it were someone else's backup. You only need to win a couple of games to reach backup emeritus status (see Zappe, Bailey).

Yup, I didn't want to mention Zappe because it might upset Gumby.

 

[PatsFan2]

Yup, I didn't want to mention Zappe because it might upset Gumby.

Call me crazy but it seems like T DeVito is coming around... career backup??

 

[Bill Lee]

Happy days, fellas!

Thread 'Bailey Zappe is a likely cut by KC: do you know what time it is? [Update: He's been cut]'

Aug 22, 2025

I'm not going to say it...

Nm, I will: ZAPPE TIME!

Chiefs Predicted to Cut Ties With Former NFL Starting QB Amid Struggles

The Kansas City Chiefs will likely waive veteran quarterback Bailey Zappe, an insider predicts ahead of final cuts.

heavy.com

• Force Zero Boomer
• Replies: 107
• Forum: PatsFans.com - Patriots Fan Forum