Wozzy
Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2018
- Messages
- 7,378
- Reaction score
- 11,180
Realizing I never gave my preseason game one review, here it is, better late than never.
This is organized by starters indicated by an * and snap counts.
OFFENSE
QB Brian Hoyer* (14; 23%),
QB Bailey Zappe (48; 77%),
Hoyer looked like a 13 year vet playing against newbies, he still has a weak arm. Had full command of the offense... an offense I might add was exactly like the offense last year. What "new system?" I thought we were going to see Shanahan's offense, I thought switching back to the old offense would be impossible once they change, at least that what Ted Johnson and others told us... not so much.
Zappe looked like a talented rookie in his first preseason game, up and down. He made some dumb mistakes, but his arm and decision making also shined. What really stood out for me was his pocket presence, he moved around the pocket really well and sensed pressure. He had one play where it got hairy inside and he stepped up into the pocket and threw a shovel pass like Mahomes to a receiver running a drag in front of him. Another pass that made me sit up and take notice was a curl route to Wilkerson, Zappe threw a laser well before Kristian broke on his route and he had to make a cat like grab to snag it. Anticipation, knowledge where the route was going... an amazing pitch and catch. I liked the draft pick when they made it, now he has to continue to improve and wean out the poor decisions.
TE Matt Sokol* (51; 82%),
Average athlete, unremarkable but steady game.
WR Tyquan Thornton* (22; 35%)
WR Tre Nixon* (51; 82%),
WR Kristian Wilkerson* (46; 74%),
WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey (44; 71%),
WR Josh Hammond (34; 55%),
Thornton looked like he didn't belong playing in this game with the back half of the roster guys, he looked like a vet with way too much talent. So excited to see this kid evolve and grow. Too fast and too slick a route runner to be contained, his length in the red zone showed up yet again.
Tre dropped a crucial third down where he beat his man by a mile on an out route, it went right through his hands. Rather than dwell on it or let it effect him, he got right back to work. When I see him play in a Pats uniform it reminds me of Malcolm Mitchell. He's just a solid WR with very good speed and athleticism. He fights for the ball and is a lot stronger than his frame looks. He doesn't have any one standout characteristic, but does everything well.
Wilkerson has to make this team, all he's done all preseason so far is catch 30+ yard passes. He gets open at will and if he had "hands" issues before he doesn't anymore. He's developed into a good receiver, they can't hide him on the practice squad anymore.
I know Humphrey caught a TD but his only definable trait is "big." He's big and tall but not fast or remarkable in any way. Hammond looks like a jag.
OT Justin Herron* (43; 69%),
OT Yodny Cajuste* (41; 66%),
G Arlington Hambright* (36; 58%),
G Cole Strange* (14; 23%),
C James Ferentz* (14; 23%)
Herron had two penalties, that wasn't good. That being said all the OT's did a good job neutralizing the Giants first round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux. I thought the first unit did a good job in protection for the most part.
Arlington Hambright is doing everything possible to make this roster, he really pushes people around and gets downfield to make blocks. I think they lined him up at OT at one point also but I may be wrong.
Cole Strange is a plug and play player, just a smart draft pick... even if people don't get excited over guards.
OT Yasir Durant (35; 56%),
C Kody Russey (48; 77%),
G Bill Murray (34; 55%),
G William Sherman (31; 50%),
G Drew Desjarlais (14; 23%),
Outside of Desjarlais and Russey with some flashes the third unit didn't get much push in the run game and made Zappe work hard on his pocket awareness. William Sherman shouldn't be on an NFL roster, he literally got pushed backwards on a power run up the middle... can't say I've seen that before. Also the dive TD by Kevin Harris was an Olympian feat of strength on his part, he basically pushed himself in there alone with a little help by Russey.
RB J.J. Taylor* (14; 23%),
RB Kevin Harris (21; 34%),
RB Pierre Strong Jr. (27; 44%),
Taylor runs well, he reminds me of Dion Lewis when I see him run. He had one opportunity to pass block and acquitted himself nicely, I don't know if that points to improved pass blocking which was his weakness or just a small sample size.
Kevin Harris is a power runner, he reminds me of Stevan Ridley. He dropped an easy swing pass which is the first one I noticed since camp started, might be an anomaly as he has shown pretty good hands to this point. I don't think he'll ever be confused for a passing back though... running is his bread and butter.
Strong didn't get a massive workload or many opportunities and he played with the dregs of the offensive line. One thing that stood out to me was the Patriot's coaches calling many traditional power run plays while he was in there, it's like they were testing his toughness to see if he would stick his nose in there and get the tough yards. To his credit that's what he did, he lowered his shoulder and stuck it in there to churn out some tough runs. I think they know he's fast, that he can avoid contact... I think they wanted to see him power run and he did it well, despite some horrid blocking in front of him.
DEFENSE
DT Carl Davis* (28; 33%),
DT Daniel Ekuale* (36; 42%),
DT Henry Anderson* (31; 36%),
DT Sam Roberts (58; 67%),
DE LaBryan Ray (46; 53%),
DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (41; 48%),
Carl Davis is a mountain of a man, he is the teams only true NT. Opponents can't run on him. He fits this team well playing 10-12 snaps a game as a situational run stopper... and he gets paid appropriately for his contributions.
Ekuale and Anderson seem like motor guys, they make plays but don't exactly push the pocket back into the opposing QB's face. I see them as cusp roster guys.
Sam Roberts has potential as Deatrich Wise's understudy at DE. He tossed the Giants first round pick Evan Neal like a rag doll but then blew by the QB, he needs to slow down once he has the QB in his sights. That being said he created pressure, he needs to get stronger against the run. I could say similar stuff about LaBryan Ray but I think there's possibly only one spot up for grabs and IMO Roberts is ahead slightly.
Pharms is a jag...
LB Anfernee Jennings* (35; 41%),
LB Mack Wilson Sr.* (25; 29%),
LB Raekwon McMillan* (19; 22%),
LB Josh Uche (23; 27%),
LB Cameron McGrone (58; 67%),
LB Harvey Langi (40; 47%),
LB Ronnie Perkins (40; 47%),
LB Nate Wieland (18; 21%),
LB DaMarcus Mitchell (11; 13%)
Jennings looked strong and fast, he looks like a starting OLB.
Uche was also flying around the ball and looked like a more complete LB rather than just a pass rush specialist. He showed up in pass coverage and looks like a real LB.
McMillan and Wilson looked good also, both look like seasoned vets playing with a lot of newbies out there. They're smart heady players with a lot of snaps under their belts going back to college. The middle of the field is a little less uncertain after watching them play, now they need to stay healthy.
McGrone played with the scrubs but showed up in space. He was also active on special teams which is where he'll make this team if he does. He'll be a good lifeline to have if he continues to develop and they can't keep the other two middle LB'ers upright. I should add Harvey Langi is a steady ILB, they could probably stash one or both of these guys on the PS and keep a lot of quality depth at the position.
Perkins and the rest looked like jags…
S Jalen Elliott* (75; 87%),
S Joshuah Bledsoe* (67; 78%),
S Brad Hawkins* (66; 77%),
These guys didn't stand out either good or bad. But Elliott was alive and making plays, he was around the ball a lot which I didn't expect truthfully.
CB Terrance Mitchell* (23; 27%),
CB Malcolm Butler* (23; 27%),
CB Jack Jones (63; 73%),
CB Shaun Wade (57; 66%),
CB Joejuan Williams (48; 56%),
CB Myles Bryant (15; 17%),
Mitchell played decent, got beat once for ten yards but then came back and pushed the ball out of the receivers hands for a turnover. I said he'd start opposite Mills before training camp started and I'll stand by that.
Butler was up and down, he looked like himself on some plays... which means he give up a pass and works hard to punch it out. He is the epitome of a guy who does more with less. I still don't know if he makes this team.
Jack Jones was good on some plays and bad on some plays. He gambles, he's an incredibly instinctual player who tries to outsmart and get ahead of the opposing QB. Great when it works but costly when it doesn't. I think it speaks volumes that Marcus Jones wasn't playing. It seems the last CB battle on the team comes down to Jack Jones, Shaun Wade and Myles Bryant. JoeJuan isn't a cornerback, he's a strong safety... the Patriots brass just refuse to acknowledge or accept it. He'll probably be gone and switch his position on another team and probably play for many more years as a safety... it's where he belongs.
Myles Bryant showed some juice in the return game, I think the Pats coaches are showcasing him so he can latch on somewhere else if he doesn't make this team. He has been a good soldier and done everything asked of him, he simply isn't fast and there is a lot of depth now at slot CB... though he could also slip onto the PS. I will add as a positive note, I thought the blocking in the return game was much improved from last year. It might be the return of Joe Judge or just a one game blip, but they seemed to do a better job of putting a hat on a hat. If they block that well for Marcus Jones it could be electric.
This is organized by starters indicated by an * and snap counts.
OFFENSE
QB Brian Hoyer* (14; 23%),
QB Bailey Zappe (48; 77%),
Hoyer looked like a 13 year vet playing against newbies, he still has a weak arm. Had full command of the offense... an offense I might add was exactly like the offense last year. What "new system?" I thought we were going to see Shanahan's offense, I thought switching back to the old offense would be impossible once they change, at least that what Ted Johnson and others told us... not so much.
Zappe looked like a talented rookie in his first preseason game, up and down. He made some dumb mistakes, but his arm and decision making also shined. What really stood out for me was his pocket presence, he moved around the pocket really well and sensed pressure. He had one play where it got hairy inside and he stepped up into the pocket and threw a shovel pass like Mahomes to a receiver running a drag in front of him. Another pass that made me sit up and take notice was a curl route to Wilkerson, Zappe threw a laser well before Kristian broke on his route and he had to make a cat like grab to snag it. Anticipation, knowledge where the route was going... an amazing pitch and catch. I liked the draft pick when they made it, now he has to continue to improve and wean out the poor decisions.
TE Matt Sokol* (51; 82%),
Average athlete, unremarkable but steady game.
WR Tyquan Thornton* (22; 35%)
WR Tre Nixon* (51; 82%),
WR Kristian Wilkerson* (46; 74%),
WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey (44; 71%),
WR Josh Hammond (34; 55%),
Thornton looked like he didn't belong playing in this game with the back half of the roster guys, he looked like a vet with way too much talent. So excited to see this kid evolve and grow. Too fast and too slick a route runner to be contained, his length in the red zone showed up yet again.
Tre dropped a crucial third down where he beat his man by a mile on an out route, it went right through his hands. Rather than dwell on it or let it effect him, he got right back to work. When I see him play in a Pats uniform it reminds me of Malcolm Mitchell. He's just a solid WR with very good speed and athleticism. He fights for the ball and is a lot stronger than his frame looks. He doesn't have any one standout characteristic, but does everything well.
Wilkerson has to make this team, all he's done all preseason so far is catch 30+ yard passes. He gets open at will and if he had "hands" issues before he doesn't anymore. He's developed into a good receiver, they can't hide him on the practice squad anymore.
I know Humphrey caught a TD but his only definable trait is "big." He's big and tall but not fast or remarkable in any way. Hammond looks like a jag.
OT Justin Herron* (43; 69%),
OT Yodny Cajuste* (41; 66%),
G Arlington Hambright* (36; 58%),
G Cole Strange* (14; 23%),
C James Ferentz* (14; 23%)
Herron had two penalties, that wasn't good. That being said all the OT's did a good job neutralizing the Giants first round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux. I thought the first unit did a good job in protection for the most part.
Arlington Hambright is doing everything possible to make this roster, he really pushes people around and gets downfield to make blocks. I think they lined him up at OT at one point also but I may be wrong.
Cole Strange is a plug and play player, just a smart draft pick... even if people don't get excited over guards.
OT Yasir Durant (35; 56%),
C Kody Russey (48; 77%),
G Bill Murray (34; 55%),
G William Sherman (31; 50%),
G Drew Desjarlais (14; 23%),
Outside of Desjarlais and Russey with some flashes the third unit didn't get much push in the run game and made Zappe work hard on his pocket awareness. William Sherman shouldn't be on an NFL roster, he literally got pushed backwards on a power run up the middle... can't say I've seen that before. Also the dive TD by Kevin Harris was an Olympian feat of strength on his part, he basically pushed himself in there alone with a little help by Russey.
RB J.J. Taylor* (14; 23%),
RB Kevin Harris (21; 34%),
RB Pierre Strong Jr. (27; 44%),
Taylor runs well, he reminds me of Dion Lewis when I see him run. He had one opportunity to pass block and acquitted himself nicely, I don't know if that points to improved pass blocking which was his weakness or just a small sample size.
Kevin Harris is a power runner, he reminds me of Stevan Ridley. He dropped an easy swing pass which is the first one I noticed since camp started, might be an anomaly as he has shown pretty good hands to this point. I don't think he'll ever be confused for a passing back though... running is his bread and butter.
Strong didn't get a massive workload or many opportunities and he played with the dregs of the offensive line. One thing that stood out to me was the Patriot's coaches calling many traditional power run plays while he was in there, it's like they were testing his toughness to see if he would stick his nose in there and get the tough yards. To his credit that's what he did, he lowered his shoulder and stuck it in there to churn out some tough runs. I think they know he's fast, that he can avoid contact... I think they wanted to see him power run and he did it well, despite some horrid blocking in front of him.
DEFENSE
DT Carl Davis* (28; 33%),
DT Daniel Ekuale* (36; 42%),
DT Henry Anderson* (31; 36%),
DT Sam Roberts (58; 67%),
DE LaBryan Ray (46; 53%),
DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (41; 48%),
Carl Davis is a mountain of a man, he is the teams only true NT. Opponents can't run on him. He fits this team well playing 10-12 snaps a game as a situational run stopper... and he gets paid appropriately for his contributions.
Ekuale and Anderson seem like motor guys, they make plays but don't exactly push the pocket back into the opposing QB's face. I see them as cusp roster guys.
Sam Roberts has potential as Deatrich Wise's understudy at DE. He tossed the Giants first round pick Evan Neal like a rag doll but then blew by the QB, he needs to slow down once he has the QB in his sights. That being said he created pressure, he needs to get stronger against the run. I could say similar stuff about LaBryan Ray but I think there's possibly only one spot up for grabs and IMO Roberts is ahead slightly.
Pharms is a jag...
LB Anfernee Jennings* (35; 41%),
LB Mack Wilson Sr.* (25; 29%),
LB Raekwon McMillan* (19; 22%),
LB Josh Uche (23; 27%),
LB Cameron McGrone (58; 67%),
LB Harvey Langi (40; 47%),
LB Ronnie Perkins (40; 47%),
LB Nate Wieland (18; 21%),
LB DaMarcus Mitchell (11; 13%)
Jennings looked strong and fast, he looks like a starting OLB.
Uche was also flying around the ball and looked like a more complete LB rather than just a pass rush specialist. He showed up in pass coverage and looks like a real LB.
McMillan and Wilson looked good also, both look like seasoned vets playing with a lot of newbies out there. They're smart heady players with a lot of snaps under their belts going back to college. The middle of the field is a little less uncertain after watching them play, now they need to stay healthy.
McGrone played with the scrubs but showed up in space. He was also active on special teams which is where he'll make this team if he does. He'll be a good lifeline to have if he continues to develop and they can't keep the other two middle LB'ers upright. I should add Harvey Langi is a steady ILB, they could probably stash one or both of these guys on the PS and keep a lot of quality depth at the position.
Perkins and the rest looked like jags…
S Jalen Elliott* (75; 87%),
S Joshuah Bledsoe* (67; 78%),
S Brad Hawkins* (66; 77%),
These guys didn't stand out either good or bad. But Elliott was alive and making plays, he was around the ball a lot which I didn't expect truthfully.
CB Terrance Mitchell* (23; 27%),
CB Malcolm Butler* (23; 27%),
CB Jack Jones (63; 73%),
CB Shaun Wade (57; 66%),
CB Joejuan Williams (48; 56%),
CB Myles Bryant (15; 17%),
Mitchell played decent, got beat once for ten yards but then came back and pushed the ball out of the receivers hands for a turnover. I said he'd start opposite Mills before training camp started and I'll stand by that.
Butler was up and down, he looked like himself on some plays... which means he give up a pass and works hard to punch it out. He is the epitome of a guy who does more with less. I still don't know if he makes this team.
Jack Jones was good on some plays and bad on some plays. He gambles, he's an incredibly instinctual player who tries to outsmart and get ahead of the opposing QB. Great when it works but costly when it doesn't. I think it speaks volumes that Marcus Jones wasn't playing. It seems the last CB battle on the team comes down to Jack Jones, Shaun Wade and Myles Bryant. JoeJuan isn't a cornerback, he's a strong safety... the Patriots brass just refuse to acknowledge or accept it. He'll probably be gone and switch his position on another team and probably play for many more years as a safety... it's where he belongs.
Myles Bryant showed some juice in the return game, I think the Pats coaches are showcasing him so he can latch on somewhere else if he doesn't make this team. He has been a good soldier and done everything asked of him, he simply isn't fast and there is a lot of depth now at slot CB... though he could also slip onto the PS. I will add as a positive note, I thought the blocking in the return game was much improved from last year. It might be the return of Joe Judge or just a one game blip, but they seemed to do a better job of putting a hat on a hat. If they block that well for Marcus Jones it could be electric.
Last edited:
