Pats-Saints Pre-Season Game #1
I had been holding off on posting about the Saints-Patriots practices and other offseason activities, but now they have actually played the preseason game. Final Score - Patriots 7 - Saints 6. A win is a win, but such a weak Offensive performance is a bitterly unsatisfying way to start. I guess we can relish the idea that the Pats D did not give up a touchdown to a team that was considered an Offensive juggernaut last season (and rightly so having produced the most total yards last season).
On the flip side, it may be unfair to look at the Saints as an Offensive power when Drew Brees plays only 6 snaps. This certainly rings as a positive for the Patriots Defense, holding Brees to 1 of 4 for only 4 yards. Likewise, Brady was held to disappointing numbers, including a fumble lost, which led to a short field for a John Kasay FG to put New Orleans up 3-0. Both QBs failed to convert on 3rd down chances through the air, and neither will be happy with their performance.
Two of Brady's better plays were wiped out by Nate Solder Holding penalties, and this stands as an area of great concern for the 2012 Patriots. Logan Mankins is still recovering from his ACL injury from the Superbowl, Brian Waters is still M.I.A. and Matt Light was serious about this whole retirement thing. The unit did not look ready to play. For all the praise Nate Solder had received last year, I hoped he would look as solid on the left as he did on the right, but it is obvious that the learning curve is climbing ever higher. The offensive line is the key to victory every week with the Patriots, and their protection of Brady was pitiful at best. Prepare for Dante Scarneccia and Tom Brady to rip some new assholes in practice this week.
On the bright side, the running game looked polished and practiced. The 1-2 punch of Ridley and Vereen showed good things in this contest. Ridley's quick feet earned him 40 yards on 8 touches, good for a 5.0 average. Meanwhile, Vereen lowered his head to the tune of 64 yards on 11 carries, good for a 5.8 average. This style of rushing game with a low volume of carries with great effectiveness and occasional explosion is exactly what the Patriots are hoping to get from Ridley and Vereen to compliment their methodical short-passing approach.
Whether or not the Defense played against starters or scrubs, they showed up to play. Most notably, Chandler Jones drew consecutive holding penalties with aggressive pass rush moves and a quick first step. He projects to be everything we've dreamed of. Likewise, Safeties Pat Chung and Steve Gregory, who project to be the starting combo, both snared interceptions. Another name that keeps popping up in the play-by-play is Dont'a Hightower, proving that he can play sideline to sideline if Mayo comes off the field. The new additions seem to be fitting well with the existing pieces.
All in all, its still too early to judge the fate of the 2012 Patriots. There were many good things to take from this contest, especially on the defensive end, but for every positive, there are three things to improve upon. I think that improvement must first be made on the offensive line, and this is also the area that has taken the biggest hit on the depth chart. The fact is that new guys need to step up into every day roles. Nevertheless, I am confident that the coaching of Dante Scarneccia is one of the strengths of the team, and the unit will reflect that given time to develop or heal from injuries. We have ample talent at the Offensive skill positions, and it is imperative that Brady is given the protection to utilize those weapons.
On the flip side, it may be unfair to look at the Saints as an Offensive power when Drew Brees plays only 6 snaps. This certainly rings as a positive for the Patriots Defense, holding Brees to 1 of 4 for only 4 yards. Likewise, Brady was held to disappointing numbers, including a fumble lost, which led to a short field for a John Kasay FG to put New Orleans up 3-0. Both QBs failed to convert on 3rd down chances through the air, and neither will be happy with their performance.
Two of Brady's better plays were wiped out by Nate Solder Holding penalties, and this stands as an area of great concern for the 2012 Patriots. Logan Mankins is still recovering from his ACL injury from the Superbowl, Brian Waters is still M.I.A. and Matt Light was serious about this whole retirement thing. The unit did not look ready to play. For all the praise Nate Solder had received last year, I hoped he would look as solid on the left as he did on the right, but it is obvious that the learning curve is climbing ever higher. The offensive line is the key to victory every week with the Patriots, and their protection of Brady was pitiful at best. Prepare for Dante Scarneccia and Tom Brady to rip some new assholes in practice this week.
On the bright side, the running game looked polished and practiced. The 1-2 punch of Ridley and Vereen showed good things in this contest. Ridley's quick feet earned him 40 yards on 8 touches, good for a 5.0 average. Meanwhile, Vereen lowered his head to the tune of 64 yards on 11 carries, good for a 5.8 average. This style of rushing game with a low volume of carries with great effectiveness and occasional explosion is exactly what the Patriots are hoping to get from Ridley and Vereen to compliment their methodical short-passing approach.
Whether or not the Defense played against starters or scrubs, they showed up to play. Most notably, Chandler Jones drew consecutive holding penalties with aggressive pass rush moves and a quick first step. He projects to be everything we've dreamed of. Likewise, Safeties Pat Chung and Steve Gregory, who project to be the starting combo, both snared interceptions. Another name that keeps popping up in the play-by-play is Dont'a Hightower, proving that he can play sideline to sideline if Mayo comes off the field. The new additions seem to be fitting well with the existing pieces.
All in all, its still too early to judge the fate of the 2012 Patriots. There were many good things to take from this contest, especially on the defensive end, but for every positive, there are three things to improve upon. I think that improvement must first be made on the offensive line, and this is also the area that has taken the biggest hit on the depth chart. The fact is that new guys need to step up into every day roles. Nevertheless, I am confident that the coaching of Dante Scarneccia is one of the strengths of the team, and the unit will reflect that given time to develop or heal from injuries. We have ample talent at the Offensive skill positions, and it is imperative that Brady is given the protection to utilize those weapons.
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