Good "Picked Up Pieces" from ESPN.com

[DarrylS]

When I initially read it, thought it was Reiss, but after further review it is by Mike Rodak... he breaks down some of the plays in each quarter, and comes up with some useful/detailed information...

For example some 2nd quarter observations...

New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

1. Rookie ILB Brandon Spikes continues to show a good awareness of the play in front of him. On the first play of the second quarter, Spikes blitzed up the middle, but read the dump-off pass to RB Pierre Thomas. Shedding his blocker at the line, Spikes kept himself square to the line as he tracked the play outside. Safety Brandon Meriweather beat TE Jeremy Shockey to the outside, forcing Thomas to cut back inside. Spikes was still reading the play, and broke off a block from RG Jahri Evans to make the open-field stop.

2. The Patriots used more interior blitzing than they have in years past. On one play, ILB Jerod Mayo and OLB Marques Murrell put on a combination blitz, with Mayo splitting the RT and RG outside to pressure QB Drew Brees while Murrell stunted inside, but slipped before he could get to Brees.