Primary focus still on secondary
FOXBOROUGH - Through training camp, the Patriots' secondary was charged with overcoming the departure of nine years of experience, owned by Asante Samuel and Randall Gay, who moved to Philadelphia and New Orleans, respectively, as free agents during the offseason.
Last night in a 16-15 exhibition loss to the Ravens, the secondary indicated it can replace them. Then again, it's just one game, and an exhibition at that.
"I think for what we were asked to do, I would say we made some plays, but overall, we left some out there we could have made," said cornerback Fernando Bryant.
The Patriots allowed 176 passing yards by two quarterbacks: Kyle Boller and Troy Smith. The most damage was done by Boller, who began with five straight completions and finished 11 of 15 for 102 yards and an interception.
The secondary is perhaps the Patriots' biggest question this season.
Samuel, a Pro Bowl player, had developed into a shutdown cornerback in five years as a Patriot. Gay, though a nickel back last season, had four years' experience in the Patriots' system.
To compensate, the Patriots drafted cornerbacks Terrence Wheatley (second round) and Jonathan Wilhite (fourth) and signed nine-year veteran Bryant and a pair of eight-year veterans, Lewis Sanders and Jason Webster.
Last night, they were without Wilhite, inactive after suffering a right leg injury in Monday's practice, and Ellis Hobbs, who came off the physically unable to perform list Aug. 2 and was in uniform but didn't play.
Hobbs is the lone returning starting cornerback, having played on the left side last season opposite Samuel. Starting in their places last night were Bryant on the right side and Wheatley.
They struggled on the opening drive when Boller completed his first three passes to Bryant's side on the way to a Baltimore field goal.
"We drove down the field right away and put some points on the board that first drive," Boller said of the eight-play, 57-yard march. "The offensive line did an unbelievable job. I don't think I was touched one time."
It seemed a bad omen, but Bryant wasn't flustered.
"First preseason game, first series, you're kind of getting your feet under you and everything," he said. "Really, the first series of any game, you're trying to get a feel for what they're doing. After that, everything kind of settles down."
The secondary seemed to settle down after that drive, during which it allowed five completions; the Ravens had only 11 the rest of the game.
At times, Wheatley showed his youth. He appeared to give up too much room to Darnerien McCants on a 30-yard completion in the second quarter - the Ravens' longest gain of the game - and was badly beaten by Marcus Smith on a 13-yard pass to open the second half.
As a rookie, Wheatley isn't allowed to talk to the media, but Bryant said, "He played fine, and for what he was asked to do, I'm sure he's going to be all right."
Added Sanders, "I think he did good. I've got to look at the film. He can always get better."
Meanwhile, second-year safety Brandon Meriweather looked strong in run support, recording three tackles. Wheatley led the team with four.
The top highlight belonged to Sanders in the first quarter.
Boller launched a deep pass to the speedy Yamon Figurs, who was streaking down the middle of the field. Sanders, who finished with a team-high two passes defended, was stride for stride, timed his jump well, and swatted it away.
Sanders, though describing his own play, seemed to sum up the unit's as well.
"I did OK," he said. "I made a few plays. I made a few mistakes. It's training camp, though. You've just got to get better."
