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Ok, here we go:
- Let me get this out of the way. The title of my thread refers to the fact that I think Brissett looks like a young Damon Wayans. Fun fact: In the Last Boy Scout, Wayans played Jimmy Dix who was one of the best QBs in football before he was banned for gambling. So there is a chance that Brissett will be awesome on Thursday.
- I thought Garoppolo was awesome yesterday, but people need to pump the breaks about him being the heir apparent to Brady. I still think the Pats will trade him. He had an awesome first half and a good, not great game last week. We have seen a lot of new starting QBs look elite for a very short stretch and then come to earth when people get a book on him (see my next point).
- Not to take anything away from Jimmy, but the Dolphins' defensive strategy was awful going into the game. After a week of everyone talking about Garoppolo's quick release, Miami came into the game allowing the Pats' receivers to have clean releases which allowed Garoppolo to get rid of the ball before the pressure could get to him. The last two series Garoppolo played, Miami adjusted and he was less effective.
- I think the Pats will get a mother load for him. I can see a stupid team like Cleveland (who took Johnny Football over Garoppolo) throwing stupid amounts of draft picks at the Pats. I can see the Pats getting as much as what teams get for trading up to #1 or #2 to draft a potential franchise QB which is upwards to two firsts and a second day draft pick. If this happens, Deflategate will have blown up in Goodell's and the other owners' faces because there is no way the Pats could get that much if Garoppolo never played.
- I am a bit concerned about Malcolm Butler. I know people seem to be throwing their hate towards Logan Ryan, but Butler has been struggling more than Ryan. He got burnt a few times last week by Floyd. And he got toasted frequently yesterday. I am going to chock it up to a rough couple games, but it is something to keep an eye on.
- The secondary as a whole was awful in the second half, but I blame the front for that. The Pats were successful in the first half pressuring Tannehill and making him get rid of the ball quickly. In the second half, Tannehill had all the time in the world. You throw Tannehill off his game by making him make quick reads and uncomfortable in the backfield. When he has time, he will pick you apart.
- The second half defense was horrible, but football is a game where emotions can definitely affect play on the field. I think the loss of Garoppolo could have thrown players in a funk. Ironically, I thought the offense did pretty well considering after Jimmy went down though.
- The rumors of LeGarrette Blount's career's death have been greatly exaggerated. With Garoppolo out, the Pats asked him to carry the offense. Sure, it was far from perfect, but he did run pretty well.
- Another player being a lightning rod recently because of his lack of receiving production last week and in the preseason was Martellus Bennett. Yesterday, we saw why the Pats traded for him. He carried the passing offense when Brissett first came in. The guy is like Gronk in that he is really hard to bring down. That 37 yard reception was all him. He just rag dolled Maxwell with the stiff arm. I can't wait to see him, Gronk, and Brady on the field together.
- Yesterday probably made McDaniels the hottest head coach candidate for next offseason. It was a masterful job by him not only for a brilliant game plan for Garoppolo, but for making adjustments on the fly for Brissett. Brissett was far from perfect, but he certainly not a liability. McDaniels was able to give Brissett a handful of plays that he could be successful and was able to mix it up enough to confuse the Dolphins.
- Shout out to the o-line. Another game against a very good and aggressive defense and they did a solid job.
- Chris Long had another solid game. He is clearly the best offseason acquisition for the Pats thus far, although if Bennett keeps on playing like he did yesterday, he will steal that title. Long was supposed to be a liability against the run, but he actually played fairly well in that area yesterday.