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In the Starting Line-Up
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I kept some notes while I watched and am jotting them down here:
Seattle's cohesiveness and experience, especially on the offensive side of the ball, played a big role. You can tell NE still has horses under the hood to unlock as they gain more experience playing together.
Russell Wilson is so good, the guy is basically impossible to defend. While I want to see a bit more impact from our LBs, ultimately I'm not too concerned about the defense. Getting Allen and Uche playing will help; maybe you add a player via trade at DL or LB.
... speaking of Uche, I'm really an eager to see this guy play. As someone who watched Michigan a good bit, they used him in Ann Arbor nearly exclusively as an edge rusher, a role he was good, but not great at. The few times they let him play off the ball, pursue with players in front of him, and run sideline to sideline, this guy looked scary good. Think Jamie Collins (when focused), or Jamal Adams -- just an athletic freak who can do insane things on the field. I hope he's mentally prepared soon because he's going to give this defense a huge lift.
You know what else will be great about Uche starting to play? It'll kick Phillips into a true secondary role, in lieu of the hybrid LB spot he's playing now. It seems he's a bit out-of-his-depth trying to defend the run from the LB position.
The run defense was okay, not great. Against a better OL they may have struggled more. Again, Beau Allen should help a bit when he's healthy. Another body there may be in order. But again, not too worried about the defense.
Going back to Wilson and the Pats' D, two of those TD throws were literally indefensible, perfect throws. You tip your cap -- there is no reasonable way to expect Gilmore or JMac to do more there. It sucks, it's disappointing, but if you're mad about that, you're never gonna be happy. What a phenomenal game by Wilson. There is no shame in losing to that team and that player.
To piggyback off the above, as Newton gains chemistry with these receivers, as Harry gets more confidence, as Keane and Asiasi get incorporated, when Gunner returns (who was by many accounts one of the top TC WRs), Newton will start to hit some of those 'wow' throws, and he showed a few previews tonight. All in due time.
Sort of related to the above, the Pats need to be careful with Newton. I understand utilizing his running talent early in the season, in two fairly big games to kick things off. But taking the long-view (and considering Cam's demonstration that he is an exceptional passer of the ball and what is hopefully Gunner's return in the coming weeks) they would be wise to pass the ball more, preserve his body, and let him build chemistry with this relatively young/inexperienced receiving group.
Getting some chemistry now could be big late in the season, and when you get in crunch time in the postseason you can lean more on Cam's running ability, again. Tangentially related to all of this, getting Damien Harris back should help relieve some of Cam's workload. Given how poor Michel has been, Cam has been needing to pick up some of those lost yards on his own; hopefully Harris will pick up some of the slack.
The NE OL looks unreal. I haven't seen an OL playing this well since the '07 season -- just extremely good thus far.
Another coming improvement: Damien Harris. Michel looks lackluster ... Harris' return is anxiously awaited.
That was a battle between two VERY good football teams; don't be shocked if these teams are playing in late-January. From the Pats' perspective, they'll be a much better team in 10-12 weeks due to both experience gained and personnel returning; this is definitely a team that will be evolving and improving as the season goes on.
Onwenu, Harry, Harris, Gunner, Byrd, Uche, Duggar, Asiasi, Keane, Phillips, Allen -- all of these are players who are either injured, new to the league, and/or new to the team; players we can reasonably expect to improve with time. (White also didn't play tonight but he does not belong in the aforementioned group of players given his experience and time with NE; nonetheless, his absence was felt and he will make a positive impact upon returning).
On that note, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention James White. My thoughts and greatest sympathies are with him. It's absolutely tragic. Godspeed.
This is going to be a very good Patriots team. Here's to the beginnings of another football season, friends.
Seattle's cohesiveness and experience, especially on the offensive side of the ball, played a big role. You can tell NE still has horses under the hood to unlock as they gain more experience playing together.
Russell Wilson is so good, the guy is basically impossible to defend. While I want to see a bit more impact from our LBs, ultimately I'm not too concerned about the defense. Getting Allen and Uche playing will help; maybe you add a player via trade at DL or LB.
... speaking of Uche, I'm really an eager to see this guy play. As someone who watched Michigan a good bit, they used him in Ann Arbor nearly exclusively as an edge rusher, a role he was good, but not great at. The few times they let him play off the ball, pursue with players in front of him, and run sideline to sideline, this guy looked scary good. Think Jamie Collins (when focused), or Jamal Adams -- just an athletic freak who can do insane things on the field. I hope he's mentally prepared soon because he's going to give this defense a huge lift.
You know what else will be great about Uche starting to play? It'll kick Phillips into a true secondary role, in lieu of the hybrid LB spot he's playing now. It seems he's a bit out-of-his-depth trying to defend the run from the LB position.
The run defense was okay, not great. Against a better OL they may have struggled more. Again, Beau Allen should help a bit when he's healthy. Another body there may be in order. But again, not too worried about the defense.
Going back to Wilson and the Pats' D, two of those TD throws were literally indefensible, perfect throws. You tip your cap -- there is no reasonable way to expect Gilmore or JMac to do more there. It sucks, it's disappointing, but if you're mad about that, you're never gonna be happy. What a phenomenal game by Wilson. There is no shame in losing to that team and that player.
To piggyback off the above, as Newton gains chemistry with these receivers, as Harry gets more confidence, as Keane and Asiasi get incorporated, when Gunner returns (who was by many accounts one of the top TC WRs), Newton will start to hit some of those 'wow' throws, and he showed a few previews tonight. All in due time.
Sort of related to the above, the Pats need to be careful with Newton. I understand utilizing his running talent early in the season, in two fairly big games to kick things off. But taking the long-view (and considering Cam's demonstration that he is an exceptional passer of the ball and what is hopefully Gunner's return in the coming weeks) they would be wise to pass the ball more, preserve his body, and let him build chemistry with this relatively young/inexperienced receiving group.
Getting some chemistry now could be big late in the season, and when you get in crunch time in the postseason you can lean more on Cam's running ability, again. Tangentially related to all of this, getting Damien Harris back should help relieve some of Cam's workload. Given how poor Michel has been, Cam has been needing to pick up some of those lost yards on his own; hopefully Harris will pick up some of the slack.
The NE OL looks unreal. I haven't seen an OL playing this well since the '07 season -- just extremely good thus far.
Another coming improvement: Damien Harris. Michel looks lackluster ... Harris' return is anxiously awaited.
That was a battle between two VERY good football teams; don't be shocked if these teams are playing in late-January. From the Pats' perspective, they'll be a much better team in 10-12 weeks due to both experience gained and personnel returning; this is definitely a team that will be evolving and improving as the season goes on.
Onwenu, Harry, Harris, Gunner, Byrd, Uche, Duggar, Asiasi, Keane, Phillips, Allen -- all of these are players who are either injured, new to the league, and/or new to the team; players we can reasonably expect to improve with time. (White also didn't play tonight but he does not belong in the aforementioned group of players given his experience and time with NE; nonetheless, his absence was felt and he will make a positive impact upon returning).
On that note, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention James White. My thoughts and greatest sympathies are with him. It's absolutely tragic. Godspeed.
This is going to be a very good Patriots team. Here's to the beginnings of another football season, friends.
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