PostGame Thread REACTIONS: Preseason Game 1: NE vs HOU

[goheels22002]

WBZ's coverage of this epic game made it impossible to get a sense of how these players might look in prime time. The split screens of Paul Perillo in his Bob-O-Pedic rumpus room babbling about Tyquan Thornton taking the top off defenses made me beg for a power outage caused by climate change.

And did we really need to listen to Zolak congratulate himself for getting the Cross Insurance trivia question right because he was on the team 30 years ago when Curtis Martin got >1,000 yards rushing for two seasons in a row? Good for you, Zo. Now get back in line before the chipped beef and apple sauce run out at the buffet.

The lowlight was the two boxes over live coverage of the last seven minutes of the 1st quarter with the McCourty twins and the two white guys in the booth playing grabass like they were in the pickle ball finals at Bob Kraft's pool party. Can we just watch the rookies? Please!?! We all know you went to Rutgers, do everything together, and can't believe how much you crack each other up. We just want to watch the game, not reruns of the Smothers Brothers on Laugh-in.

WBZ drove almost as many people to the phone to call Penn Mutual Life to lock in low rates for final expenses tonight than Matt Patricia did last year when the Pats were in the Red Zone.

 

[StrawHatPatriot]

Can't say too much because it's preseason, but yeah that online is obviously going to be a problem. I'm not used to 2nd string offensive linemen being THAT bad

 

[Scotty]

I was hoping McDermott would be up for this game but based on a couple of media reports he was poor (even though some of his plays were at left tackle apparently)

 

[BritPat]

I don't want to get carried away, but Keion White is definitely going into the HoF.

 

[PatsFan2]

Don' t need Thornton's speed when your only passing plays are 3 yard outs and 3 yard hitches.

Don't forget another Screen pass is Fat Matt still running our Offense?? So innovative.

 

[PaulThePat]

So if I'm getting this, we played a lot of backups, backup backups and JAGS who will never be good enough and so we shouldn't worry at all about the score, performance or in fact any of it. What was the point of the game again?

 

[JMC00]

Top 6-7 OL dont play at all
Some people on here: "OL is gonna be a big problem this season"

The doom and gloom is pathetic

 

[JMC00]

So if I'm getting this, we played a lot of backups, backup backups and JAGS who will never be good enough and so we shouldn't worry at all about the score, performance or in fact any of it. What was the point of the game again?

Go look up Brian Tyms vs Washington in the 1st preseason game in 2014 and you'll see why the 1st preseason game doesn't mean much other than really just being a game to get rookies some actual game reps and trying to get an idea on your squad depth past the locked-in starters.

Non-rookies that dont play in this 1st preseason game usually indicates they are either starters or roster locks.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Zappe talking up Tyquan going up and getting it (the catch). Was a great throw and catch

Tyquan banged his head (whiplash) pretty bad on that catch. I was surprisd he stayed in the game.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Pats pass rush is going to be a major problem for opponents this year, even moreso than last year. Judon/Uche/Wise/Barmore/White. Giddy-up.

If everyone stays healthy, this defense is going to be sick. The New England Stonewall. The pressure the front 7 can exert will cause sacks, fumbles, and INTs. Maybe teams can run against this defense, but they are going to have a very hard time passing.

 

[Nunchucks]

Would have liked to see more of Boutte and Douglas. One nice catch from Thornton.

Felt Zappe was more tentative, he had guys, did not pull the trigger. His strength is throwing the ball in rhythm, he should lean into that. It's preseason, holding the ball behind a bad ol is terrible.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

is it really good for a CB to be making tackles? Or is it a sign he’s giving up completions? His force fumble was on a catch he gave up.

Yeah, I did not see anything exceptional from Gonzo. His coverage looked a little loose to me. Of course he was in zone most of the time, alas.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Absolutely ... Some insiders say the Mac/Zappe relationship is cold. I would rather see a vet as #2 and hide Malik on IR.

I could not tell from Training Camp, but when I watched his college highlights, I was amazed that his teammates did not congratulate him after throwing TD passes. Nothing. Either he threw so many that TDs that it was old hat, or there was some issue with teammates, or he just does not get worked up after a TD and that was transmitted to his teammates....sort of reminds me of the movie, Draft Day.

As far as Cunnningham, there is a lot of scary talk about the practice squad; I think that there is no way the Patriots should expose him to other teams--he would be gobbled up. He is the type of QB that is in high demand these days. He needs to stay on the roster as QB3. I did not see anything in Training Camp to indicate that he is very serviceable as a WR, but as a QB, wow....

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

WBZ's coverage of this epic game made it impossible to get a sense of how these players might look in prime time. ...

Yup, the TV coverage was dreadful. Just awful. Zo went off his usual dreary tangents and when he tried to get technical, he used geeky insider football terms that were probably only used 20 years ago inside the the huddle..."and there is the green cheese wheel route with the blue on the flat..." And don't forget the idiotic focus on Mayo's shoes.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Would have liked to see more of Boutte and Douglas. One nice catch from Thornton.

Felt Zappe was more tentative, he had guys, did not pull the trigger. His strength is throwing the ball in rhythm, he should lean into that. It's preseason, holding the ball behind a bad ol is terrible.

Better than throwing INTs. Maybe his receviers could not get open. Shocking, I know...but I could not tell since the amazingly bad TV coverage was more concerned with Mayo's foot gear than analyzing the WR play.

 

[Triumph]

At least all the Zappe fans will disappear.
But the bigger problem is how bad our 2nd string OL is. Mac might not look any better unless all the starters get healed quick.

On the plus side - our D should be very good. CG had a few mistakes, but overall good. And White is legit.

We know that Jones is a HOFer throwing a 70 yard bomb to little Jimmy from Worcester.

Lets see what your boy can do under duress throwing into tight windows. No doubt the Mac fan club will be blaming the OL and WRs not open.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Would have liked to see more of Boutte and Douglas. One nice catch from Thornton.

I think I saw Boutte take a wicked hit on a short route and that appeared to be the end of his night. Of course, the idiots in the broadcast booth did not pick up on that; they were off on one of Zolak's neurodivergent tangents.

 

[Triumph]

Yup, the TV coverage was dreadful. Just awful. Zo went off his usual dreary tangents and when he tried to get technical, he used geeky insider football terms that were probably only used 20 years ago inside the the huddle..."and there is the green cheese wheel route with the blue on the flat..." And don't forget the idiotic focus on Mayo's shoes.

What about the Bobs Furniture show?

Good stuff.

 

[Patsfan1958]

 

[Salsalife]

JAILBREAK!