Just a few thoughts on this game.
1. When you consider how the Pats did you have to consider the competition. I don't know how the Panthers are going to do this year but I do know that they have a very good OL and a very good front 7. So everything we saw tonight has to be taken with that context in mind/
In this game, for the most part only the first half counted as the 2nd half was primarily a back up game.
2. Really glad the first team O got a significant number of snaps because they played like they hadn't played this preseason. AGAIN the only thing that was stopping the Pats in the first quarter....were the Pats penalties. There are no first and 28 plays. It kind of sucks that you run 3 plays, gain 25 yard and have to punt.
3. I don't think there is any doubt now that Jacobi Meyers is the back up slot guy for the Pats this season. This might have been a step back for him, especially the 0-3 with Brady, but as a rookie you need to undergo painful lessons in order to progress.
The plus part of this game for him was how he bounced back the rest of the game. Clearly he has some chemistry with Stidham. Unfortunately he needs to have it with Brady if he's getting off the bench.
IMHO, Meyers will make the team, but I don't see him being a big factor early on.
4. A great catch by Izzo on a BB from Brady. That's a make the roster kind of a catch. He's got a job as the 2nd TE. Who's going to be the top guy while Watson is on the sidelines
5. Nice job in pass protection by the first OL. They kept Brady fairly clean. I think he only got hit twice in 12 throws. Again, against a good DL. Wynn missed a block on a screen, but again he was flawless in his pass protection. Remember this is a D that has led the league in sacks for the last few years, and they barely got a whiff of Brady.
6. I hope this game ends the "Dorsett has to go" chants we've heard so often the last few weeks.
7. Eric Reid's hit on Watson was really bad. It is more deserving of suspension that whatever Chung has done. Easily it should be a serious fine. I think that will be the last we see of Ben until October.
8. Awesome job on defense AGAIN. Lucky miss on KVN's injury. It didn't look good early. I have never seen a Pats D more active and position-ally fluid as we've seen thus far. Remember it can only be that way because the secondary is even more awesome.
9. THRILLLED to see the 2 challenges by Rivera get denied. I only wish the penalty for throwing a flag on a ticky tack call be more than just losing a TO.
10. Getting more and more impressed with Williams as a CB. Looks tough against the run as well. Good tackler.
11. Stidham had an up and down night. I really like his poise and toughness. He's a really good prospect. But if Brady went down for 3 or 4 games, I think I'd rather have Hoyer out there.
12. I'm not taking the fact Hoyer didn't play as meaning much. He'll get the first half next week. The Pats gave Stidhaam a good run. He needs the reps. If Bill were really thinking that he's not going to go with 3 QB's,, he'd have at least give Hoyer a chance to compete for his job. I choose to believe that they know what they got in Hoyer, and Stidham needed the reps more than he did.
13. Bradon King's injury might create a spot for the Munson kid. He's a good football player.
14. Gunner's PR's were an eyeopener. I don't think you can afford to keep a PR specialist this year. I only hope this game doesn't put him on some other team's radar. He needs to be on this PS to get the reps he needs to become an NFL WR. I think he has the talent to do it, but he needs time.
