– The box score doesn’t do rookie WR Kyle Williams justice. He was open on all four targets, including on a goal-line slant for a would-be touchdown, and backup QB Joshua Dobbs underthrew Williams, who had stacked over the top on a go route, which could’ve been a huge play. Williams also drew one defensive pass interference on a deep dig and should’ve drawn another. His speed overwhelmed Washington’s backup corner – an encouraging debut.
– Rookie OT Marcus Bryant’s preseason debut was mostly a success. His play strength to anchor and block in the run game translated, as did his foot speed to protect his edge. That’s the baseline for rookies this time of year. However, he gets a little high with a slight forward lean in his pass sets, causing him to get over-extended while making himself vulnerable to push-pull techniques. Mentally, Bryant impressed with his ability to block the most dangerous blitzers with solid post-snap recognition for a rookie. Bryant could be a day-three find with more work on his technique.
– WR DeMario Douglas only ran four routes, which were a mixed bag. He separated on a skinny post over the middle for Maye, but the Pats QB targeted Mack Hollins on a go route vs. a single-high coverage instead, while Pop couldn’t get a step on Noah Igbinoghene on a shallow in-breaker, which is what caused Maye to run on his 11-yard scramble.
– WR Mack Hollins mostly held up as a blocker, but he could’ve given Maye more of a window to drop the ball in the bucket on his go route target. Hollins had CB Trey Amos in press-man with the safety in the deep-middle, so Maye decided to give him a chance, but it wasn’t there.
– C Garrett Bradbury was solid with a standout combination block to bump and climb to the second level on Stevenson’s third-and-1 conversion (13 yards). Bradbury was in the center of it, and he opened the hole for Rhamondre. Bradbury was also moving the line of scrimmage on duo schemes (good one with Ben Brown at LG). The Pats center helped out well when he was uncovered and seemed to block with a sturdy base in pass protection. Overall, this film was a step in the right direction for Bradbury in 13 snaps.
– RG Mike Onwenu lost a 1-on-1 rep to Commanders DT Jer’Zhan Newton in the red zone, causing a hurried throw to TE Austin Hooper that fell incomplete. Like the rest of the starters, Onwenu was solid as a run-blocker, but Newton was disruptive in the Commanders pass rush.
– It seems like C/Gs Ben Brown and Cole Strange are competing for an interior backup role. Brown might have the inside track there, with Strange giving up a quick pressure on an arm over/swim move, while Brown got a few center reps in place of Bradbury with Maye.
– First-year pro Jack Westover seems to be the leader for the TE3/FB role. Westover had a nice “first color” block on Henderson’s 18-yard run, where he helped WR Kayshon Boutte on his assignment to clear a path for Henderson to get the edge. Westover wasn’t perfect, but he had some good moments in his 23 snaps as a lead blocker.
– QB Ben Wooldridge’s timing improved significantly as his game wore on, with two darts to WR John Jiles on a 26-yard crosser and a 22-yard dig on the bow concept. Wooldrige hit Jiles in stride on both plays, showing some zip and rhythm that we haven’t necessarily seen in practice. Wooldrige might’ve earned more backup reps in Sunday and Monday’s practice before the team heads to Minnesota.
– The route for undrafted rookie WR Efton Chism III that caught my eye: a six-yard reception on third-and-2 with 30 seconds left in the half. That’s a vintage McDaniels slot route, with Chism reading the zone-dropping linebacker to settle in the void quickly and the ball coming out fast to move the chains. How many times did we see that during the dynasty era?
– Undrafted rookie RB Lan Larison showed off some burst to the edge on his 16-yard run off an outside zone scheme. He has some instant acceleration and got his blocking assignments right in the passing game.
– The Patriots either wanted to work on chipping the ends, or it’s a sign of things to come because they gave their tackles chip help throughout this game when they were drop-back passing. That’s not a bad idea when facing longer down and distances with tackles who could be vulnerable in pass protection. Maybe some live in-game reps to develop chemistry between the backs and the tackles for future chipping endeavours?
– QB Pressures Allowed: Campbell/Wilson (sack), Bryant (2), Strange (1), Jacobs (1), Onwenu (1), Lindstrom (1), Butler (1).
– Rookie DB Craig Woodson did a little of everything: centerfield, split-field safety, covering tight ends, blitzing, and playing in post-snap rotations. The Pats need a cover safety with some versatility to play deeper zones, and Woodson could be that guy. He made some mistakes, but was making them fast and arrived at the party quickly in pursuit. It would be nice if Woodson were the missing piece in the backend on passing downs.
– Free-agent splash Milton Williams flashed his explosive first step by immediately penetrating the line of scrimmage to contribute to an outside zone run stuff and later converted speed-to-power to dog walk the right guard back into the quarterback for a pressure. Williams has some serious juice. I can’t wait to see him rushing next to Christian Barmore (DNP).
– It was great seeing EDGE Keion White log a quarterback hit rushing outside on the left tackle with a hesi-rip move. White’s outside rush has been inconsistent at times, but he dusted Commanders backup tackle Trent Scott (1st QTR, 9:53).
– Camp riser Truman Jones earned the start on the edge opposite Keion White with Harold Landry having the night off. Jones had two pressures and a run stuff, including pressuring Sam Hartman into a rushed decision on D.J. James’s interception. Jones plays with a good motor, as another rusher who plays through blocks and can convert his speed to power.
– NT Khyiris Tonga continues to impress with his pass-rushing ability. Tonga won quickly inside for a pressure early in the contest, then ran an effective stunt with Jones to flush Hartman out of the pocket. Tonga’s bull rush and feel for interior pass-rushing is better than anticipated.
– LB Jack Gibbens should be a solid contributor for this team as a defensive role player and a potential core special-teamer. Gibbens basically stuffed a run by pressing the climbing guard into the ball carrier, a tackle credited to CB Alex Austin. He plays with good downhill physicality.
– First-year CB D.J. James is playing his way onto the roster as an opportunistic corner. His interception was a nice play to drive the hitch, but James was a bit leaky outside of the pick. He gave up three catches for 36 yards into his coverage: a 22-yard dig route, a nine-yard crosser and a five-yard hitch. The plays on the ball are nice for James, though.
– CB Alex Austin got a little lucky when an open receiver dropped the first target into his coverage, but his play to drive K.J. Osborn’s hands from out of phase to break up a potential touchdown pass was good to see. Austin got snaps in the slot with the Pats looking for a bigger nickel defender, and with some inconsistent moments for CB Marcus Jones, Austin could be pushing for playing time as the Patriots top nickel corner soon.
– LB Anfernee Jennings played late into the fourth quarter, recording two run stuffs and a pressure. Jennings’s future in New England feels uncertain with a scheme change on defense to a more aggressive mentality rather than the sturdy edge-setting that Jennings provides.
– As expected, the Patriots defense based out of a 4-2-5 nickel with an over front featuring NT Khyiris Tonga, DT Milton Williams, DE Keion White and Harvard product Truman Jones as the backside end. Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss were your top two ILBs on Friday night.
– The blocking on the kickoff return unit was excellent on Henderson’s house call and Antonio Gibson’s 62-yard return. Kudos to special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer and top assistant Tom Quinn. There aren’t many “live” special teams periods in practice, so the fact that the group was ready to go is impressive. Remember, tough teams dominate special teams.
– QB pressures: Jones (2), Farmer (2), Williams (1), Jennings (1), Tonga (1), Pharms (1), White (1), Woodson (1), Ponder (1). Run Stuffs: Jennings (2), Olajiga (1), Elliss (1).
– Coverage: James (3/3/36 yards/INT), Mapu (5/4/36 yards), Rice (1/2/33 yards), Polk (3/2/19 yards/INT), Avery (2/2/19 yards), Minor (2/2/17 yards), Pettus (2/2/16 yards), Crossley (1/1/14 yards), Hawkins (2/1/5 yards/PBU), Epps (1/1/2 yards), Jones (1/1/-1 yard), M. Jones (2/0/0 yards), Austin (2/0/0 yards/PBU), Battle (1/0/0 yards/PBU).
Breaking down the tape on the Patriots young quarterback, left tackle and more from Friday night’s win in New England’s preseason opener.
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