PatsPropaganda

And so the Patriots preseason has concluded with a loss at Tennessee of 7 to 23, and that sound you heard, Pats Nation, was a collective sigh of relief with a hint of concern. 

It was a tough game to watch, and that’s got nothing to do with the fact that it was on at crazy’o’clock in the morning for us not on eastern time!

On reflection the most difficult thing for me now, is the fact that whilst we are worrying, and looking over it saying how bad the game was, there were guys out there fighting for their livelihoods. It may be a game but it’s also a business, a job, and so for that reason I want to give respect for the players that did well but probably aren’t going to be on that 53 list that gets cut down just a bit later on, and champion those in my final preseason game recap wrap of 2023. 

Now, don’t misunderstand me you lovely lot, I’m not here to gloss over the bad, there was plenty. I will call out how the offensive line still looked weak, how Bailey Zappe played possibly one of his worst games so far, and how Jack Jones may be feeling the effects of the distraction his legal case could be. I know there are still so many questions we want answering, so much of the offense we (thank goodness) didn’t see and may just be so much better than we expect, and how well will that first round draft pick really end up being. 

But, as I mentioned, this preseason recap wrap is to remind you of those guys who really tried to kick butt and take names on Friday night. 

The first note I made this game was defense are stopping the run, something that wasn’t happening earlier in the preseason and something that is a key to success in this ever evolving sport we love. 

Calvin Munson first hit my notes in the middle of the first quarter with a great play stopping the run, and then i’m guessing he shows up in everyone’s note book with his end of the first quarter interception! 

Diego Fagot has been released as I write this, however I would still like to champion his efforts in Tennessee as his was one name that appeared in my notes multiple times and perhaps we see him back on the practice squad. To close out the second quarter Fagot took out the runner Chestnut with a thump that had the guy somersaulting and fumbling. Mid third quarter Fagot had multiple instances of good coverage on the receiver, and unfortunately sustained a shoulder injury. However, he was back in the game and mixed in to take down the runner. Definitely a name I would like to see on game day sheet in the near future. 

Sam Roberts chased down Malik Willis rather quickly for a big guy on multiple occasions, and again as I write this Carl Davis was released perhaps Roberts did enough to secure himself a one of the 53. 

Thyrick Pitts opened the second quarter with a great catch and a powerful run through people! I do love it when a received runs through people. Unfortunately, with the current depth at receiver Pitts may have been playing more as an interview for another team at this point. 

Anfernee Jennings may not exactly be fighting for his roster spot, but with the NFL you never truly know and he had a strong game. He stepped it up whilst stopping the run early in the first quarter. A big, physical guy from Alabama who really fits in with the Patriots way at defense.

One side note, the broadcast I was privy to was some sort of Titans network and they moved away from the game plenty when it was time for Patriots offensive plays, perhaps they were saving us from ourselves! I jest, mostly. But, they did mention, in regard to the pending cut downs, how the Titans may keep five but more certainly four, tight ends. FOUR?!? FOUR tight ends?! I won’t lie, I got a little flush! 

But back to the Patriots, we have survived the preseason and next the real football is back and we all wait with bated breath to see who makes the 53. My main hopes at this moment are a third tight end… but right now my heart goes out to the guys who don’t make the team, particularly those that don’t make any team and wish them lots of luck in their future endeavours!

Go Pats.

Firstly, at the time that I write this we have heard good things following Isaiah Bolden’s on-field injury. He was taken to the hospital, had feeling in all of his extremities and was conscious. He returned to Foxborough with the team. This week’s joint practice has been cancelled, and the team will travel to Tennessee on Thursday. The last report I saw on social media was that Isaiah was in good spirits, pretty much the best we can hope for. 

So here we are on Monday with a Patriots preseason win* of 21 -17 over those pesky Green Bay Packers! (*possibly more accurately an incomplete game that was 21-17 Patriots when called). 

I don’t know about you, but I left this game with more questions than answers, but right now that’s okay, it is preseason after all. 

With the roster cut down looming just over a week away, there are many names that we are noting down in the game book with statistics that may be on the practice squad or even an opposing team come the regular season, so we really shouldn’t get too attached, but easier said than done, right?

For the third year running I know that I for one am not the only Patriots fan to succumb to the delights of JJ Taylor and his preseason performance. He was the second name on the stat chart for both passing and rushing, with 4 attempts for 29 yards and 4 targets for 3 receptions for 27 yards. Perhaps third time’s the charm for the jitter bug?

It feels like all we talk about is the offense, and whilst I have a huge soft spot for tight ends, and a bit of one for offensive linemen too, my respect for the defense runs deep. It’s just at the moment it seems like we know what the defense can be, the first round draft pick Christian Gonzales is growing momentum, Jalen Mills is stepping well in to the shoes of the veteran leader, but the offense, still a bit offensive. 

For me the woes are the o-line. The trouble is it doesn’t appear at this stage to be scheme, but talent. And you lot know me, I hate to say stuff like that, but right now I’m as grumpy as heck because I just want some good o-line-age!

Trent Brown took to the field, yay, and then just over two minutes into the game, false started. Now, you can’t slate a guy for one penalty, these things happen. But in that case of this particular left tackle, they need not to. 

The carousel of offensive linemen continued, and to highlight that the Patriots utilised the talents of one Matt Sokol, tight end blocker. 

I am all for them having plenty of tight ends out there. You know this. Give me four, but it’s not a good thing when they do because the line is weak. 

On the topic of receivers, in what feels like it might be a more positive topic is the depth. With Kayshon Boutte and Demario “Pop” Douglas out proving they are worth consideration, the musical chairs of wide receivers may see a guy you weren’t expecting to be chairless come the regular season. 

Kendrick Bourne is back doing Kendrick Bourne stuff, showing us why he shouldn’t have been in the Rocket Scientist dog house (if he was, of course) and whilst neither of the veterans DeVante Parker and JuJu Smith-Schuster have put up much in the way of statistics, second year Tyquan Thornton really, really hasn’t either!

So, as I mentioned still many questions but now isn’t the time for answers, yet, the Titans are the next mountain to climb, and then the real football begins!

Go Pats!