The Patriots begin their preseason schedule tonight when they travel to Philadelphia to take on Donovan McNabb and the Eagles. How much will Tom Brady play and how will he look in his first action since last year's season-ending knee injury are the big questions for tonight. Aside from that there are still plenty of positional battles to be won and lost and several roster spots still up for grabs. Whether or not you're ready for it, football season is back! Let's go Pats!
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Having major computer problems. Unsure if I'll be online tonight or not (unfortunately).
Who is Edelman? Is he the converted QB from Kent State? He showed a little toughness on a catch in the first series.
Patriots opened the game in a 4-3 alignment, which is probably the best formation for this team given the personnel that they have.
Dave Thomas was in at FB on a couple of Maroney carries in the red zone.
Brady hits Chris Baker in the end zone for a TD. Pats up 7-0! Brady has looked good with his passes so far.
TD Baker not good for Watson.
I love that the Pats are giving this kid Edelman a chance to make the team. It seems clear that BB wants to see what he can do in a game.
He is crazy quick, I would love to see him make the team and the Pats have a few plays for him.
Edelman is quick and sort of reminds you of Welker. He stays low after catching the pass and is slippery getting through defenders.
Tully Banta-Cain sacked Donovan McNabb on 3rd and 9 from the New England 16 to set up a Philly field goal. Score 7-3.
Who is Pryor on the DL? He just destroyed the guard that was supposed to block him and then sacked McNabb.
Wow! Edelman just returned a punt for a TD. I think Mr. Slaters days are numbered.!
A few observations from Mike Reiss:
TE Chris Baker was on for every snap (14, including penalties)
RB Laurence Maroney was on for 12 of the first 14.
WR Randy Moss was on for 13 of the first 14.
The Patriots had 3 snaps with three tight ends on the field.
Myron Pryor is out 6th round draft pick out of Kentucky. He'll warrent a long look by the coaching staff.
Brady coming back onto the field deep into the second quarter.
Chris Baker with his second TD reception of the night. Definitely puts the pressure on Ben Watson.
Joey Galloway has been unimpressive tonight.
Galloway might want to ditch the #13 jersey.
Interesting nugget:
The last time a Patriot returned a punt for a TD in a regular season game was in the 2001 season finale against the Carolina Panthers when Troy Brown returned a punt 68 yards for a TD.
Brady's numbers at the half: 10 of 15 for 100 yds, 2 tds, 1 int. Passer rating of 97.2. Not bad!
More observations from Mike Reiss:
Rookie WR Julian Edelman has a Wes Welker-like style to him (Hmm, where have I heard that!). The quickness he's displayed has been evident on the practice fields, but the big thing is that he's taken his practice performance into live game action. He struggled to return punts early in camp, but in a credit to him, he spent time working on it every practice. Welker is not spotted on the sidelines.
A lot of four-man line on defense. It would be too early to say that the Patriots are moving away from a base 3-4 alignment, but they've spent a lot of practice time on the four-man line and that was their primary package tonight.
Impressive two-minute type of drive in the second quarter, with Tom Brady working out of the shotgun and a three-receiver package with Randy Moss, Joey Galloway, Julian Edelman. The package included TE Chris Baker and RB Kevin Faulk. Baker played every snap, an indication of where he stands on the tight end depth chart.
The Patriots spend a lot of practice time on special teams and it showed (punt return for TD, blocked FG).
Laurence Maroney was rewarded for a consistent training camp by getting the bulk of the early work (12 of the first 14 snaps, including penalties). His best run was picking up a first down on third-and-short out of a three tight end package.
Mike Vick signs with Eagles...they could have used him tonight.
Andrew Walter under center to start the second half.
Looking forward the seeling what Vollmer can do at tackle. There has been a lot of buzz about his play in camp.
Vick, Eagles? I'm surprised their owner would go for that, but their fans probably enjoy a dog fighting so it doesn't matter.
Edelman with another catch. New England has a new cult hero!
Wheatly looked bad on a quick out to the WR.
Chung looks good. Very quick and physical.
I know Andrew Walter is new and is still getting acclimated to his new teammates, but he is really showing why Oakland cut him. It make me pine for Cleo Lemon.
Great Edelman updates, Duffman. I haven't even watched this game and watched this guy grow up on this blog.
I know Walter played on some bad teams in Oakland, but his stats in the NFL are downright awful:
3 TDs vs 16 ints.
56 passer rating
He spent more time on his back than Karen Cunagin Sypher.
I believe Edelman had the fastest shuttle run at the combine this year and one of the fastest since they started keeping track.
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