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Final thoughts

Email|Link|Comments (10) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff August 8, 2008 12:52 AM

FOXBOROUGH -- Wrapping up the night with some final thoughts from the Patriots' preseason opening 16-15 loss to the Ravens:

1) Injuries on the mind. Both WR Sam Aiken and S/LB Tank Williams left the game with knee injuries and did not return. These would be tough blows to absorb if they were of the season-ending variety. Aiken is slated to be a core member of special teams units -- he was in the all-important role behind the snapper on the punt team last night before the injury. Meanwhile, Williams added a new wrinkle to the defense from the linebacker spot, giving the base 3-4 a different dynamic that could be called upon against specific opponents.

2) Rookies seem to make strong impression. Inside linebacker Jerod Mayo (1st round), cornerback Terrence Wheatley (2nd round), outside linebacker Shawn Crable (3rd round), quarterback Kevin O'Connell (3rd round) and receiver/returner Matthew Slater (5th round) all had significant playing time. They seemed to hold up well.

3) A total of 19 players don't see action.With 80 players on the roster, and 19 players not seeing action, that left the Patriots with 61 players -- just eight more than a regular-season game. The Ravens were in a similar situation. That reflected the lower level of play, as most of the top players were in and out of the game early, preserved for the long term.

FRIDAY PLAN: After reviewing the game, the plan will be to revisit with some more specific thoughts at some point during the day.

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10 comments so far...

Mike, I didn't watch the game so I don't know how many snaps Chad Jackson play. But looking at the stat sheet on NFL.com, he has 1 catch for 0 yard. He is supposed to shine in this pre-season!

Posted by supreme12 August 8, 08 01:22 AM

I would also like to put it out there that top-tier undrafted linebackers Vince Redd and Gary Guyton made the most of the time they got. Plus, both played on special teams, Redd was often one of the first three down in coverage with Slater and Meriweather, showing some of his freakish athletic ability. I am thinking one makes the roster and - hopefully - the other makes it to our practice squad. They are part of the new transition to long/lean/athletic defensive players we are going to. Agree?

Posted by Ryan August 8, 08 03:01 AM

supreme12, Jackson played, I'd say, 80% of the snaps. There was one mix up between Cassel and him, but everything else thrown his way was terrible, mostly by Cassel and Gutz. People are down on him today, but he didn't have a competent passer throwing to him all night. Would have been nice if he was playing with O�Connell in the 4th quarter.

Posted by Mike August 8, 08 08:31 AM

I agree with Mike, I wouldn't cut Jackson yet. The mix up btwn him and cassel was cassel fault in my opinion. The CB was playing him short and outside, thats exactly where the QB threw it to.

Our backup QBs need to get better esp cassel, he has been in the system for awhile. There is no more excuses for him. Staring down WRs.

and the LBs looked you young and but hey, its just preseason.

Posted by ProvMan August 8, 08 09:37 AM

I was at the game last night & let me say that if Brady goes down we are in for BIG trouble. Casell was AWFUL and Gutz wasn't much better. I was standing up at my seat yelling for the Pats to get Chad Pennington. On a postive note I thought Kevin O'Connell showed some potential. We are not going to get a draft choice for Casell, he has been here for four years and has never shown any promise. Cut him now & save a roster spot. By the way Mike, how was the food at the CBS restaurant.? I know its the first preseason game, I thought the rookies showed promise but the QB situation has to be a concern behind Brady.

Posted by ampats August 8, 08 09:58 AM

At this point, I'd say try to trade Chad Jackson.

Too much time and effort has been put into him with 0 payoff.

Posted by gick August 8, 08 09:59 AM

I came to the conclusion that the problem with the offensive line blocking was the vanilla and telegraphic play calling that enabled the Raven defense to, for the most part, know what was coming.

Teams will attempt to follow in the footsteps of what the Giants did in the Super Bowl when they are given the opportunity by a poor offensive game plan and by lack of change or adjustment in the offensive play calling.

Yes, I fully understand that this was pre season so it is not a good example. Hopefully, as the pre season moves along, we will see more offensive variety.

Going for two after the touchdown was a good move because either way, tieing the game would have meant overtime and no one wants that in pre season.

I hope that the game was Cassell's swan song. He shows absolutely nothing and is taking up a valuable spot.

Posted by Mike Allen August 8, 08 10:23 AM

Mike...According to the NFL Gamebook it was 21 players that were out of the game...not 19...did they miss 2?? They had Welbourn and Ruud listed as not playing but...I thought I saw Welbourn out there...

Posted by StanJ August 8, 08 11:48 AM

StanJ, I believe that game book is correct. I am not sure where I went wrong, but it was 21 players, not 19.
--Mike

Posted by Mike Reiss August 8, 08 11:55 AM

Not a word about LaMont Jordan?

I thought he looked great. I thought he looked like a guy who was maybe a legitimate starting tailback again.

Not that I want to sit Maroney. I'm just saying, he ran great.

Posted by joe from Lowell August 10, 08 11:32 PM

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

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Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

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