Four Questions

[Mike the Brit]

Thanks to all for their posts about the game. I've read a lot of them -- but not all, so I apologise if these questions have already been answered.

1. Returners Who returned kicks and how did they look?

2. Special Teams Did any players stand out on coverage/return teams? It was noted at draft time how many of our draft picks had been special teams standouts in college. I have a suspicion that special teams may have been a big part of Mills' appeal, for example.

3. Gostkowski I have heard plenty of positive mentions of Gramatica. Does that mean that Gostkowski was kept in the background?

4. Klecko ???

 

[desi-patsfan]

Gostkowski: He had a couple of good kick offs and a long FG. His FG kick just made it inside while Martin's were almost down the middle.

 

[scout]

Willie Anderson returned a couple of punts. Looked decent, got some good fought yardage. One time, a bailarina down the sideline for what looked like no gain.

 

[Patriots4Ever]

Might have been just me.But i didnt see Klecko out there at all.I did see him dressed though.But sitting on the bench quite a bit.

 

[T-ShirtDynasty]

Might have been just me.But i didnt see Klecko out there at all.I did see him dressed though.But sitting on the bench quite a bit.

Haven't watched the tape yet, but I saw him once, got a hurry on the QB I think... he was in the backfield at least once.

 

[desi-patsfan]

Might have been just me.But i didnt see Klecko out there at all.I did see him dressed though.But sitting on the bench quite a bit.

I saw klecko one time. I believe the falcons were on the 4th QB and they showed a replay of their QB taking a hard hit right after getting rid of the ball. Klecko was the man doing the hitting. Other than that one play i didnt see him at all.

 

[PatsDeb]

Thanks to all for their posts about the game. I've read a lot of them -- but not all, so I apologise if these questions have already been answered.

1. Returners Who returned kicks and how did they look?

2. Special Teams Did any players stand out on coverage/return teams? It was noted at draft time how many of our draft picks had been special teams standouts in college. I have a suspicion that special teams may have been a big part of Mills' appeal, for example.

3. Gostkowski I have heard plenty of positive mentions of Gramatica. Does that mean that Gostkowski was kept in the background?

4. Klecko ???

1. Willie Anderson did most of the return work (maybe all? I was in and out of the room a few times). He looked sort of wild - trying hard but not making too much yardage. No mistakes or drops though. Sorry Andrews did kick-off returns. He was the one who looked wild!

2. No one stood out for me on special teams, but except for one return where Atlanta made good yards, they didn't rip off any big plays.

3. Gostkowski did fine, so did Gramatica. All Gostkowski's kick-offs made it to the goal line or inside the 5 I believe. His field goal was closer to the upright, but it was good.

4. I didn't see Klecko in there at all.

The best part of the game was the running game. Dillon looked like a man on a mission, Maroney looked great and even scrub Patrick Cobbs was all over the field. Not so encouraging was our run defense, but hopefully that will come.

 

[pats1]

Gramatica and Gostkowski alternated on kickoffs, field goals, and extra points.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Haven't watched the tape yet, but I saw him once, got a hurry on the QB I think... he was in the backfield at least once.

Thanks. Any idea where he'd come from? DL?

 

[Murphys95]

The return game was satisfactory. Yes, Willie Andrews stood out, not necessarily on returns, but in return coverage. He was first "on the scene" at least twice on punts. One thing I really liked about Andrews was his swagger. He played with a lot of confidence.

Gostkowski and Gramatica both played fairly equal time. Gramatica hit his FGs smoothly, right down the middle. He had one short kickoff late in the game.

GoKo had the leg last night. His one FG was not perfect, but did the job. He had long kickoffs including one touchback.

The argument for keeping two kickers is getting stronger by the day.

 

[flutie2phelan]

Thanks. Any idea where he'd come from? DL?

Danny Boy was in towards the end of the game ... playing DL.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Thanks to all for their posts about the game. I've read a lot of them -- but not all, so I apologise if these questions have already been answered.

1. Returners Who returned kicks and how did they look?

Andrews was in as KR and PR, Kight was the second KR I noticed. Andrews is good stuff on PR, quick and fearless. His KRs are not as good, I thought blocking didn't help him, but Atlanta did a nice job of narrowing the field too - my impression is that he is better in bullet mode then pick your hole mode. One miscommunication between him and Kight allowed a KO to bounce, then roll into the end zone - both men new to kneel down and not risk a short return. KO's need work, maybe Maroney or Childress can step up.

2. Special Teams Did any players stand out on coverage/return teams? It was noted at draft time how many of our draft picks had been special teams standouts in college. I have a suspicion that special teams may have been a big part of Mills' appeal, for example.

Andrews was a gunner extraordinary, Atlanta was trying to go with one blocker but needed to double him and still couldn't keep him from pressuring the PR. He almost singlehandedly shut down their PRs. Poteat was in at gunner at least once and made a good play. Roach and Spann both showed up on KO coverage making tackles where they had to come a long way to catch the guy squirting through the hole. I'll know more as I roll tape.

3. Gostkowski I have heard plenty of positive mentions of Gramatica. Does that mean that Gostkowski was kept in the background?

I thought there was a Gostkowski KO near the end of the game that came down on the 10, the rest went in the end zone. He had one FG that just squeaked inside the upright from 34 yds. Not bad, but Gramatica was automatica again, looking like a seasoned veteran. Still too early to tell.

4. Klecko ??? Danno was third string NT. I need to watch the tape for a better read on his game last night, but he did create pressure up the middle on a couple pass plays

1010101010

 

[Mike the Brit]

Third string nose tackle? Doesn't look good for the boy ...

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Third string nose tackle? Doesn't look good for the boy ...

Not at the moment, but it's still a few weeks until the cut down.

 

[Hoodie]

The argument for keeping two kickers is getting stronger by the day.

Yeah, except that I think BB needs to get another back-up QB. Cassel didn't impress me at all.

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

I love the underdog, and wish Klecko well, but I have finally come to terms with the fact that he no longer has a role on this team and will be cut.

The only small chance he has is at middle LB, because everyone there stinks. But Klecko isn't working at MLB.

All the rookie and undrafted D-Linemen started well ahead of Klecko, even though we didn't have Seymour, Hill or Green.

Mills is the new TE/FB.

It just looks grim for Klecko this year. I cannot see what will save him this year.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Not at the moment, but it's still a few weeks until the cut down.

Yes, I'd send him my lucky rabbit's foot if I didn't need it myself!

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I love the underdog, and wish Klecko well, but I have finally come to terms with the fact that he no longer has a role on this team and will be cut.

The only small chance he has is at middle LB, because everyone there stinks. But Klecko isn't working at MLB.

All the rookie and undrafted D-Linemen started well ahead of Klecko, even though we didn't have Seymour, Hill or Green.

Mills is the new TE/FB.

It just looks grim for Klecko this year. I cannot see what will save him this year.

Just remember, BB knows what Klecko brings to the table, every DL who started ahead of him was either the first unit or needed as much game evaluation as BB could squeeze in.

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

Nice try Box, but I'm not buying it. Things are not as obscure as you suggest. Klecko is a back-up to the back-ups.

BTW, Good thing Bioli didn't mind Claridge taking a year off from the team!