Tonight the Patriots (2-0) play host to the Rams (1-1) in their penultimate exhibition game before the 2010 season gets underway for real. These franchises have met 10 times in the regular season through the years, with each enjoying a 5-5 record. However their most notable match up took place in Super Bowl XXXVI, when the heavily favored "Greatest Show on Turf" fell to the Pats, earning New England their first title. As for what to watch for tonight, the continued comeback of Wes Welker is a good start....though he appears to have come all the way back to the point of this no longer being much of a story (miraculously). As a result the most interesting things to watch for are the battles for playing time and/or roster spots at nearly every position. Tonight's game could prove to be particularly important for Pats vets Pierre Woods, Eric Anderson, Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite who all appear to be on the roster bubble. Meanwhile we get our first look at St. Louis QB Sam Bradford, the #1 pick of the 2010 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma. Bradford is just 12-for-27 for 81 yards after his first 2 games, but an injury to A.J. Feely has prompted him becoming the starter for tonight's game. Let's go Pats!
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I've only watched about 10 minutes total of the exhibitions games so far.....hoping to watch tomorrow night in full, even though I think it will have to be on delay (ie when Little Miss RBSF goes to sleep).
I'm watching the game on delay, and just began the 3rd quarter. Some observations.....
Quarterback: Tom Brady looks awesome. He is throwing absolute lasers out there and is making good decisions. He also is looking VERY fired up, which I love. When Alge Crumpler made a nice catch Brady almost tackled him while celebrating. He looks like he's back to the old Brady in terms of trying to pump up the team.
Running Backs: Showed absolutely nothing. Morris was the only one that got any touches and did not do much of anything. He did not get much breathing room, but also didn't break many (if any?) tackles.
Wide Receivers: Welker looks really good. Making sharp cuts and showing good speed. If I didn't know he had suffered that injury I wouldn't be able to tell, that's for sure. Good stuff out of him. Moss hasn't done much of anything so far. Brandon Tate looks really good....possibly ready to take over the Donte Stallworth role that Joey Galloway couldn't fill of stretching the defense.
Tight Ends: Nice grab by Crumpler and nice effort on a TD by Gronkowski fighting off a tackle to hop into the end zone. This appears to be a vastly improved position for the Pats.
Offensive Line: Solid pass protection, terrible run blocking. At least that's the way it seemed to me.
Defensive Line: Wilfork, Brace and Warren all had solid plays but there is clearly "something" missing from this group because the Rams seemed to be moving the ball at will.
Linebackers: Mayo looks like he's ready to return to being the tackle machine he was as a rookie. Other than one QB pressure from Gary Guyton and a few plays by TBC (including an offside) this group was practically invisible outside of Area 51.
Defensive Backs: I'm starting to wonder if Brandon Meriweather is as good as I think he is or if he just makes his presence known on the field so much it seems like he's doing more than he really is.
A rookie QB went 15-22 for 189 yards, 2 TD and no picks in a half....that should give you some idea as to how this group has played.
Special Teams: Tate looked awesome on 2 of 3 kickoff returns, including a 97-yard TD to start the game.
Mesko has not punted well, but did put 1 inside the 4.
Coverage teams have looked "okay".
While I was typing all of that both teams scored....first the Rams on a TD pass with their backups in against the Pats starters (not a good sign), and then Brady and Moss combine for a 65-yard bomb.
Pats offensive starters are likely done for the night now.
Apparently that wasn't it for the starters, the 1st team offense is still in to start the 4th quarter (with the Pats losing 27-21)
2nd TD of the night for Gronkowski! His 3rd TD in the last 2 games. Great stuff......good pass where only he could catch it and soft hands to bring it in.......good use of his size.
Wow, some of these Pats rookies have the worst haircuts. Unlike Tim Tebow they were apparently not allowed to cut them.
Leigh Bodden is the 1 cornerback (not surprisingly) who has looked very solid.
Not a big fan of seeing somebody else wearing #93 for the Pats. Not that I thought Seymour would have his number retired here (though a case could be made) but it's just weird to see.
Pick by Brandon McGowan....and with 12 minutes left the 2nd team will finally see some action as Hoyer enters.
Sam Aiken scores on a crossing patern for a quick TD. Not actually a great throw by Hoyer, but the announcers are giving him plenty of props.
Pats go on to lose 36-35 on a FG at the buzzer by the Rams.
Post-game press conference:
Bill Belichick = Unhappy
"In a game of no defense we played less"
"Tough to be complimentary of an offense that had no 1st downs in the 1st half"
I love Belichick.
I did not have a chance to watch the game but listened to about 5 mins. on the radio. Gino said "The Rams are 6 for 9 on third down, that is almost 60%!"
Yes it is Gino, it is only about 6% away...above it. Still the preseason for the announcers too.
brandon tate has me pumped both as a deep threat and as a return guy
i thought spikes also looked pretty good on d. seemed like everyone had a few good plays so maybe its just a matter of them getting used to playing as a unit
every year there is 1 somewhat shocking cut before the season begins. wonder who it will be this year. i predict james sanders
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