What happens in Vegas definitely should stay in Vegas! Patriots lose to the Raiders 23 – 6
Don’t they say if a dress rehearsal is terrible that the show will be successful? Fingers crossed for the regular season show, huh?
Okay, so it wasn’t all bad, it wasn’t, and we will have a peek at a few goods, but first the bad and the ugly… forgive me, I’m all about the clichés today baby!
The things that folks seem to be most concerned about right now, me inclusive, are the offensive line and the play calling. And following that pre-season showdown, these are still the things that we may be most concerned about right now.
You all know I don’t like to name and shame, but James Ferentz had a bad snap in the second quarter, scuffed the ball against the floor, and paved the way for Kody Russey to step in as Centre. Seemingly 2022 will see perhaps more than one UDFA make the 53 roster!
Although it wasn’t a great ‘show and go’ by the defense either, particularly against run plays.
I don’t know about those of you that did take in this game agree, it may be my Patriots bias, but there were a few calls the officials should have made against the Raiders. Unnecessary roughness, roughing the passer after the play, a face mask pull on Parker, and a little intentional grounding too. But those would not have eased the discord we fans may be feeling right now.
The Patriots had two scores wiped out by penalties, and two interceptions, with the extra pain of one being by Isaiah Zuber… an ex-Patriot!
Okay, before my sad tears cool down my coffee, let’s move along to some positives!
We saw some delightful flashes from Jack Jones, Matthew Judon continues to show he was possibly one of the best transactions of 2021 for the Patriots, and Anfernee Jennings makes the good list again and again, even if the good list is, like me, a little short this week.
As I aforementioned, offensively there were more concerns, but Trent Brown had some of those delicious throw down blocks, Rhamondre Stevenson continued to show his prowess with a great stiff arm in the second quarter and a lovely power run. Oh and I got to see Hunter Henry catch the ball for a 16 yard gain, you all know how excited those make me!
Last week I mentioned JJ Taylor, one of those guys that continues to be on the bubble, and we all know why, what with the depth in the Patriots running back room and the double draft at the position. But, he scuttle-bugs his way here and there, and the late in the second half, bat down on the ball from Hoyer, saw JJ come from far and wide to make the save from the fumble, maintaining Patriots possession. I was cheering for this guy in 2020, and I gotta say I’m still wearing my “vote for JJ” badge this year too!
So most of us want to take that pre-season out and bury it. I get it, the Patriots have a lot to work on in two weeks, but let us remember, it is only pre-season, there is still time. Let’s get hitting that reset button, and bringing it back for the trip to Miami.
So, until next time you lovely lot! Go Pats!
