I do not know if the Belichick “Jedi Mind Trick” has worked, but the Patriots seemed to come out fired up in their first game since the playoff loss to the Ravens. Belichick has removed everything that reminds the team of prior success, pictures, clippings, whatever, it’s gone, like most of the players from that run. I know the Saints had been on the road for a week before the game, but it was good for the Pats to come out the way they did against the Super Bowl Champs.
I still have not been able to look at Tom Brady with a straight face with his “Beiber” cut, but the man without a contract for next season looked in game shape throwing the ball down the field very easily against the Saints, connecting on 5 of 8 passes for 67 yards. It is the first game, but he looked much better than he did a year ago. Brian Hoyer was impressive as well, going 8/13 for 106 yards.
I was pleasantly surprised to see BenJarvus Green-Ellis, the “Lawfirm” get the start at running back. I feel that he did well; the Saints do have a tough front 7 can stifle a running back, even preseason. He had 11 carries for 34 yards and a TD run of 6 yards. I know that is not mind blowing stats, but it was nice to see a running back run hard towards the line of scrimmage rather than dance around. Lawrence Maroney had 8 carries for 30 yards and two touchdowns, and did look good running the ball, but he was playing against most of the Saints second and thirds units, so do not get too excited yet. Mop up duty was left for Chris Taylor and Thomas Clayton, a couple free agents that will most likely be relegated to the practice squad or cut. Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor are still on the roster and will contribute, from what I hear; Taylor looks great in camp and is motivated to make up for last year.
One of the biggest questions going into camp was the wide receiver position, what to expect from Welker? What is Randy Moss going to be like one year older? Who can step in and catch the ball when Welker and Moss can’t? I know this is week one, preseason week one, but this once thought weakness looks pretty good to me. Julian Edelman did answer some questions right off the bat with a forty yard punt return that set up the Patriots first point of the game. Edelman finished with 6 catches (of 6 targets) for 90 yards and 15.0 yards per catch. Edelman continues to impress, remember this kid was a life long QB until the Pats got a hold of him last season. Edelman will contribute in the passing game, making a great case to be the third receiver.
Randy Moss showed that even a year older, he has not lost a step and almost nobody can guard him one on one. He had only 2 catches (3 targets) for 30 yards, but the cushion that the CBs gave him was humorous. Brandon Tate, who was injured in camp in 2009 and missed the whole season, had one catch (1 target) for 20 yards, but looked really good running routes and has been very productive in camp. Look for him to get more reps and targets in the next two games.
We had a chance to finally see all three of the new tight ends in action against the Saints. This is the first time that Brady has all new tight ends and I am curious on how this story will develop. Many times in the game the Patriots lined up in a three tight end set. Aaron Hernandez, who was lighting up the Saints defenders in their drills and scrimmages in Tuesday and Wednesday, did the same in the game, catching 3 passes (of 6 targets) for 26 yards and added one carry for 6 yards. It looks like he could be a big weapon for Brady as Hernandez is very athletic and may be used in the red zone. Alge Crumpler, and Rob Gronkowski both did not have a catch, but provided excellent blocking.
The offensive line struggled at times, with Nick Kaczur out with a serious back injury that could keep him out for the season and Logan Mankins still unsigned this could be a huge liability. Again, I know it is preseason, but they O line let up 2 sacks (not bad), 7 tackles for loss (not good), and 8 hits on the QB. I know all the hits were not taken by Brady and it is a big boy’s game, but I cringed when I saw Eli Manning get hit this past Monday and would really not like to see Brady take a hit like that in preseason.
What I was really impressed about was the defense and how the young guys look like they are getting it. Everyone has seen the highlight of Marques Murrell’s sack on Drew Brees in the beginning of the game, but there were more important highlights than that one.
Rookie Brandon Spikes led the team with 8 total tackles. What Spikes lacks in “technique” makes up for with amazing instincts and a nose for the ball. Gary Guyton, (who was out with an injury against the Saints) who started all 16 games at inside linebacker last year may lose his starting role if Spikes continues to impress. Belichick raves about the way he plays on the field and is determined to make his style fit in the Patriots system.
It will be interesting to see how the linebacker position works itself out. We all know that Jarod Mayo and Tully Banta-Cain will be starters, but Pierre Woods and Guyton will have their hands full with competition from Spikes, Murrell, and Tyrone McKenzie, a third round pick from 2009 that is returning from a knee injury. It will be interesting to see what happens with Erik Alexander, who has been up and down in the depth chart and finished the game against the Saints, something a six year player does not expect to do.
I was the most impressed by the defensive backs throughout the night. This defensive backfield has to be one of the youngest in the league, and will Belichick’s schemes; they need to catch on this season for the Patriots to make a run at another Super Bowl.
Three defensive backs stood out to me on Thursday. Safety Patrick Chung looked like he belonged out there and had 7 tackles, 5 being solo tackles. Chung, a second round pick out of Oregon in 09, often looked lost and out of position last year, looked much better in his preseason debut. Terrance Wheatley looked great in coverage and had six solo tackles, if he continues to play well he will continue to fight for a starting spot along side of Leigh Bodden. Jonathan Wilhite, a third year player out of Auburn looked very good as well, he did contribute in 2009 but not consistent. If these guys as well as Deon Butler and Devin McCourty can continue to improve, the Patriots secondary will be fine.
Belichick is a former special teams coach and he has always stressed special teams. Rookie punter Zoltan Mesko averaged 43.8 yards per punt with a long of 52 yards. First round pick Devin McCourty had 3 kickoff returns for 111 yards, two for 50 plus yards. One negative was kick return coverage; the Pats allowed a 97 yard return for a touchdown and gave up average of 40 yards a kickoff return. Field position has always been important to the Patriots, and this will be addressed.
After seemingly dominating the game, the Patriots did give up a 24-7 lead and won the game by field goal at the end of the game by Stephen Gostkowski. A win is always great, but let’s remember the Lions were 4-0 a few seasons ago in preseason and we all know how that turned out. The Patriots are on the right track after week one, they have a lot of injuries that they need to overcome, let’s see what Atlanta brings this week.
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Tags: BenJarvis Green Ellis, Bill Belichick, Boston, Brandon Spikes, Brandon Tate, Devin McCourty, Fred Taylor, Jarod Mayo, Lawrence Maroney, New England Patriots, NFL, Patriots, Randy Moss, Sammy Morris, Taylor Price, Tom Brady, wes welker
