“Secondary provides solid coverage in win over NFC Champs
The Patriots defense was very good in a winning effort over the Carolina Panthers 19-17 on Friday night in Charlotte. On a night where both offenses looked sloppy and wilting in the heat, it was the play of the defense that carried the day.
New England’s strategy of holding Cam Newton in the pocket and making him hit throws downfield worked on this night as the reigning MVP was frequently off target and was victimized by drops by his receivers when he did find them.
The Patriots got strong games from their edge players especially Chris Long and Trey Flowers. What makes Newton so effective is his ability to take off and run when a play breaks down. When he makes plays with his feet the Panthers offense takes off. Long and Flowers did a great job of keeping him in the pocket and not allowing him to break containment.
The Patriots secondary, especially the first team corners of Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, and Cyrus Jones did an outstanding job in coverage. Early in the game, Newton had all day to throw and could find nothing open. The corners were mirroring the receivers and the safeties were rolling the coverages over the top right where they needed to.
It’s interesting to note that Jones took 1st team reps tonight over Justin Coleman. That is a sign that he may have jumped over Coleman on the roster. Coleman’s roster spot is safe but he may have lost his starter’s spot. Cre’Von LeBlanc saw a ton of reps tonight against Carolina’s top offense, frequently matched up with WR Devin Funchess who has a huge size advantage over him. LeBlanc acquitted himself very well on the night and was physical and competitive. He’s seemingly pulling ahead for that final cornerback slot on the team.
Another intriguing move was ILB Elandon Roberts seeing a ton of reps all game against the excellent running team that the Panthers are. Roberts, a 6th-round draft choice from Houston is an undersized thumper in the running game and he played very well, taking reps from Jonathan Freeny.
Defensive tackle Terrance Knighton seems to be truly on the bubble. Early reps went to Vincent Valentine and Markus Kuhn, both held up well in the running game. Later in the game, Joe Vellano and Woodrow Hamilton saw the field before Knighton. He’s struggled in his 2-gap responsibilities and he got pushed around against the Bears a week ago. Kuhn or Anthony Johnson may end up stealing his roster position.
The Patriots got three turnovers from the secondary, two on picks from Cam Newton. One was on an outstanding play by Long, he dropped in coverage and dragged across the line of scrimmage. He got a hand on a Newton pass, deflecting it high into the air and into the arms of Devin McCourty. Logan Ryan and Duron Harmon each had picks as well.
The Patriots defense flustered Newton who finished just 13-29 for 100 yards with 0 touchdowns and 2 INTs. Trey Flowers registered a sack, but the Patriots had other chances with Geneo Grissom, Jamie Collins, Rufus Johnson and Markus Kuhn having opportunities but the Panthers’ QB is a very hard man to bring down.
The Panthers were just 5 of 17 on third down but many of those conversions were late in the game with Joe Webb in at QB who added two very late garbage time scores. The Panthers rushing attack was held to 92 yards on the ground. And their QBs were a combined 24 of 55 for 253 yards for only a 4.5 yard per attempt average.
Overall it was a very impressive night for the Patriots defense who looks like they are ready for Week 1 of the NFL season. The offense….not so much.
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A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
