How former Patriots performed around the NFL this week
A former Patriots sixth-round pick caught a touchdown for an AFC East rival.
While Sunday wasn’t a great day for the current Patriots, it wasn’t all bad news for a few former New England players.
Here’s a look at how various ex-Patriots performed in Week 2.
Malcolm Butler, Tennessee Titans
The 28-year-old cornerback played every defensive snap for the Titans in the team’s 20-17 win over the Texans. Tennessee contained Houston’s offense, though Mike Vrabel’s defense still allowed 437 totals yards (including 310 through the air).
Butler handled the difficult job of stopping talented Texans receivers relatively well with the notable exception of yielding a fourth quarter touchdown to Will Fuller.
WILL. FULLER. V.@Will_Fuller7 | #HOUvsTEN pic.twitter.com/RLLQiopEum
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 16, 2018
LeGarrette Blount, Detroit Lions
After joining an exclusive list of NFL players to win two Super Bowls in two years with two different teams, Blount signed with the Lions on a one-year deal worth $4.5 million.
Blount was frustrated towards the end of a game Detroit was again losing (having lost to the Jets in Week 1). After 49ers linebacker Elijah Lee made a legal hit on Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, Blount – standing on the sideline – took exception to the play.
He pushed Lee over and was ejected from the game. The 31-year-old running back finished with 38 yards rushing and one catch for -3 yards as the Lions lost, 30-27.
With 10:25 left in the fourth, @Lions RB LeGarrette Blount was ejected. #DETvsSF pic.twitter.com/sbbVLSqUay
— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) September 16, 2018
Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
On the opposite sideline from where Blount was ejected, former Brady backup Jimmy Garoppolo helped the 49ers get their first win of the 2018 season.
Having struggled a week ago against a talented Vikings defense, the San Francisco offense looked better in Week 2. Despite enduring six sacks, Garoppolo threw for two touchdowns and helped the 49ers stay a step ahead of Patricia’s Lions.
That @D7_Reed kick return helped set up this @GCells85 touchdown.#49ers lead 20-10. #DETvsSF pic.twitter.com/fwh8tzrXoR
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 16, 2018
Garoppolo was decidedly fortunate not to be punished for making a poor throwing decision later in the game. A would-be Lions interception was called back because of a defensive hold by Quandre Diggs. That said, Garoppolo made a quality saving tackle on the return of the interception-that-wasn’t.
? Jimmy Garoppolo lance une interception mais une pénalité des Lions le sauve #GoNiners pic.twitter.com/bBQvZnpziA
— NFL France (@FirstDownFR) September 16, 2018
Other notables
Mike Vrabel: The former Patriots linebacker recorded the first win of his NFL head coaching career with the Titans’ victory over the Texans.
“You never forget your first.” #TitanUp pic.twitter.com/mA6xHw7PDS
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) September 17, 2018
Logan Ryan: Butler isn’t the only former Patriots cornerback playing for the Titans. Ryan recorded a sack in the win over the Texans.
Jordan Richards: Traded to the Falcons in late August, Richards was thrown into the Atlanta lineup due to injuries. He played on 79 percent of the defensive snaps and 54 percent of special teams plays, recording three tackles in the Falcons’ 31-24 win over the Panthers.
A.J. Derby: The Patriots’ 2015 6th-round pick is now with the Dolphins. And in the second quarter of Miami’s win over the Jets, Derby caught a touchdown pass from Ryan Tannehill.
https://twitter.com/MiamiDolphins/status/1041392504426229760
