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- Jul 11, 2005
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Disclaimer- For the first time in several years I didn't make it to a single training camp. I also didn't see the last pre season game because I was out of state. This is really the first time I'm getting to see the Pats first hand, so my observations might not be as accurate as I'd like. But that won't stop me from making them. 
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On the other hand I have faithfully been following all the practice threads this summer, So thanks guys for that.
1. My biggest concern for this team at the start of TC was the OL. The group of Solder, Tuney, Andrews, Kline and Cannon gave JG all the protection he needed. Except for the PAP that got Jimmy sacked, they were superb. I'd be interested in looking at that play action pass again to see if someone got beat or if there was a mental error.
2. JG looked a LOT more comfortable behind the better protection and it really showed in his results. What I liked the most was that he wasn't locked into his first read. More times than not he was throwing to his 2nd and 3rd reads. When he did throw it was decisive and except for that first throw, accurate. IIRC except for that one play on the Bears' GL he made good decisions all night..
It does my heart good to think that the team that makes McDaniels their HC will be extorted for multiple picks to send Jimmy to join Josh. The opportunity that Goodell forced on the Pats will end up making them even better. How great it will be to see Roger give Brady a superbowl trophy in Feburary and then have the Pats get a top 10 pick in April. It will be the ultimate FU.
3. I don't want to hear anything more about Bishop F'n Stanky any more. The reality is that Blount is a better RB than he gets credit for, and he looks visibly quicker so far this preseason. Gafney looks lkke the real deal. Then you have Lewis coming off the PUP. Devlin as a real FB. White who is a proven receiver who has proven he can pick up the blitz Foster is an intreging guy who you can put on the PS. And then there is the ulitmate jack of all trades in Brandon Bolden. Than is a fairly good RB group. Given that the Pats are a pass first offense (when they have all their weapons) Why give up an asset to pick up someone else's RB that they don't want.
4. I saw what I was looking to see from Chris Long. He showed good burst, and consistently made the QB feel his presence. It was the first time I've seen him in action and he showed a great motor. He give us a very solid rotation at DE with Sheard and Ninko and hopefully Flowers
5. When the Bears had some succes early in the game, I noticed the Defense was being VERY vanilla. Also don't forget that for all the crap Cutler gets, he can be a very effective QB who can put up numbers. His success also pointed out the thing I worry about, and that is our midget corps of CB's vs guys like Alshon Jeffery. It's why I hope that there will be a tall CB left on the waver wire in September. We need that specialized skill set. It does us no good to have these quick QB's who can have great coverage and STILL give up completions to bigger WR's.
6. I loved the fact that Cyrus Jones read the route and wasn't afraid to act on that read. He's still raw, but its a great sign.
7. I really wanted to see Malcolm Brown flash more. I think he's going to be one the best DT's in the league.....Eventually. Not to say he did anything wrong. He just didn't "flash". The interior DLman who DID flash was Anthony Johnson, who made any number of impact plays during this game.
8. Trey Flowers? What are people's view of him as of now. No much of an impact, yet nothing bad was my impression.
9. The only blitz the Pats ran was by the 3rd stringers and it was picked up.
10. Punt coverage was MUCH better. I'm sure that made BB happy. On the other hand, when they tried to hit KO's short they didn't get much of an edge.
11. I'm sure we are all feeling a lot better about the first 4 games after this effort. At this point of his career JG is no Tom Brady, but he does show promise that he can lead an offense and for the most part take care of the ball. That SHOULD be good enough to get us to at least 2-2 before Tom comes back. And if he does JUST that should guarantee something extra special under the April draft tree.
12. I would hate to think of a time where J. Brissett has to play this year, but his first extended snaps show he has "good bones" He mad a couple of really good deep sideline throws, and moved the ball intermittently. For a 3rd string rookie trying to master the most complex offense in the league, he didn't suck. And THAT is a significant compliment.
That being said, like Jimmy we really don't ever want to see this kid take anything but mop up snaps for the next 2 seasons. He won't be ready.
Next week's game will be even a better test. Caroline has one of the best front 7's in the league, and it will be on the road. Putting up similar results for Jimmy will prove he is progressing nicely.
OK - This is likely to be my shortest edition because it IS just a pre season game, but you have to start somewhere.
. On the other hand I have faithfully been following all the practice threads this summer, So thanks guys for that.
1. My biggest concern for this team at the start of TC was the OL. The group of Solder, Tuney, Andrews, Kline and Cannon gave JG all the protection he needed. Except for the PAP that got Jimmy sacked, they were superb. I'd be interested in looking at that play action pass again to see if someone got beat or if there was a mental error.
2. JG looked a LOT more comfortable behind the better protection and it really showed in his results. What I liked the most was that he wasn't locked into his first read. More times than not he was throwing to his 2nd and 3rd reads. When he did throw it was decisive and except for that first throw, accurate. IIRC except for that one play on the Bears' GL he made good decisions all night..
It does my heart good to think that the team that makes McDaniels their HC will be extorted for multiple picks to send Jimmy to join Josh. The opportunity that Goodell forced on the Pats will end up making them even better. How great it will be to see Roger give Brady a superbowl trophy in Feburary and then have the Pats get a top 10 pick in April. It will be the ultimate FU.
3. I don't want to hear anything more about Bishop F'n Stanky any more. The reality is that Blount is a better RB than he gets credit for, and he looks visibly quicker so far this preseason. Gafney looks lkke the real deal. Then you have Lewis coming off the PUP. Devlin as a real FB. White who is a proven receiver who has proven he can pick up the blitz Foster is an intreging guy who you can put on the PS. And then there is the ulitmate jack of all trades in Brandon Bolden. Than is a fairly good RB group. Given that the Pats are a pass first offense (when they have all their weapons) Why give up an asset to pick up someone else's RB that they don't want.
4. I saw what I was looking to see from Chris Long. He showed good burst, and consistently made the QB feel his presence. It was the first time I've seen him in action and he showed a great motor. He give us a very solid rotation at DE with Sheard and Ninko and hopefully Flowers
5. When the Bears had some succes early in the game, I noticed the Defense was being VERY vanilla. Also don't forget that for all the crap Cutler gets, he can be a very effective QB who can put up numbers. His success also pointed out the thing I worry about, and that is our midget corps of CB's vs guys like Alshon Jeffery. It's why I hope that there will be a tall CB left on the waver wire in September. We need that specialized skill set. It does us no good to have these quick QB's who can have great coverage and STILL give up completions to bigger WR's.
6. I loved the fact that Cyrus Jones read the route and wasn't afraid to act on that read. He's still raw, but its a great sign.
7. I really wanted to see Malcolm Brown flash more. I think he's going to be one the best DT's in the league.....Eventually. Not to say he did anything wrong. He just didn't "flash". The interior DLman who DID flash was Anthony Johnson, who made any number of impact plays during this game.
8. Trey Flowers? What are people's view of him as of now. No much of an impact, yet nothing bad was my impression.
9. The only blitz the Pats ran was by the 3rd stringers and it was picked up.
10. Punt coverage was MUCH better. I'm sure that made BB happy. On the other hand, when they tried to hit KO's short they didn't get much of an edge.
11. I'm sure we are all feeling a lot better about the first 4 games after this effort. At this point of his career JG is no Tom Brady, but he does show promise that he can lead an offense and for the most part take care of the ball. That SHOULD be good enough to get us to at least 2-2 before Tom comes back. And if he does JUST that should guarantee something extra special under the April draft tree.
12. I would hate to think of a time where J. Brissett has to play this year, but his first extended snaps show he has "good bones" He mad a couple of really good deep sideline throws, and moved the ball intermittently. For a 3rd string rookie trying to master the most complex offense in the league, he didn't suck. And THAT is a significant compliment.
That being said, like Jimmy we really don't ever want to see this kid take anything but mop up snaps for the next 2 seasons. He won't be ready.
Next week's game will be even a better test. Caroline has one of the best front 7's in the league, and it will be on the road. Putting up similar results for Jimmy will prove he is progressing nicely.
OK - This is likely to be my shortest edition because it IS just a pre season game, but you have to start somewhere.
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