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Pats Posits: A Last Minute Drive in Houston Finally Falls Short

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The Patriots and the Texans played a preseason game on Saturday night that came down to the final play, with Jacoby Brissett fumbling what was almost the game-winning touchdown pass.

It might’ve been thrilling if it weren’t the preseason…

But it is the preseason and how this game ended or what the score was matters not. What matters is how well the 2017 Patriots are coming together and who looked good, bad and injured in their second preseason game of the summer.

The headliners? Rex Burkhead‘s arrival, some defensive struggles but with some individual improved performances that could really help, and Stephen Gostkowski putting us all at peace.

Despite some more big plays allowed, I feel pretty good about the team right now after the second preseason game. Elandon Roberts appeared to be the only significant injury, while some of the guys who really needed to start playing well did so.

Of course we got to see Tom Brady play (meaningless, don’t tell him) football, so it was a good day no matter what.

Here’s them Posits as we inch closer and closer to the start of the regular season.

— Rex Burkhead showed how valuable he can be as a receiver on a 2nd-and-7 play at the end of the first quarter. James Develin split out wide, with Burkhead in the slot. The Pats went spread offense with 21 personnel. Later, Burkhead caught an underneath pass and took it to the house. He looks like another versatile weapon for the arsenal.

— Seems one first glance like a rough night for Malcolm Butler. On the sideline catch it appeared he had the position he just didn’t try to play the ball. That’s weird for him. Covering the bigger receiver Strong looked a bit challenging to Butler. Remember Logan Ryan used to be the guy who took the big receivers. Still, I’m not worried about Butler.

— The Pats played Gronk in the preseason for the first time in forever but chose to keep Trey Flowers in bubble wrap and I couldn’t be happier. With a thinned defensive front no one is more valuable than Flowers and there’s no need to risk him. Though it’s a bit scary to have one player who is that vital to your defense at this point in the summer.

— Actually liked them playing Gronk for the first time since 2012. Why not. Keep Gronk on his toes and knock any post-back-surgery dust off.

— Up and down night for Cyrus Jones, who had two pretty good punt returns, but also some questionable decisions. Overall I liked Coleman’s night better.

— I continue to fall in love with Harvey Langi. Despite a hands to the face penalty that I was okay with because he was being aggressive, he showed good tenacity and even ran down Deshaun Watson at one point. He played a ton in this one (team-leading 35 snaps in 1st half) and it would seem the Patriots are trying to get him as many reps as possible. He probably wouldn’t need to play, but he’d possibly be Dont’a Hightower/Shea McClellin‘s top backup while playing special teams.

— Dion Lewis getting some swagger back. Had a nice 14-yard run and dance around some blown blocks long enough to remind me of 2015. Both Lewis and Burkhead give the offense a very good run/pass balance, and should essentially be interchangeable, but with different styles. Like Mario and Luigi.

— I know everyone wants to divvy up carries now, but it misses the point that the Pats have really good depth at the running back position and won’t be easily hamstrung like they were in 2015 when they had to use the Lord of Light to bring back an ineffective Steven Jackson. If they end up with White, Lewis, Burkhead and Gillislee all healthy going into the playoffs, I’ll worry about who gets the most carries then.

— If you’re a fan of keeping pressure off Tom Brady, you should be a fan of a kickass Patriots run game.

— Kony Ealy finally realized that the football season had started and it’s a good thing he did. Despite an offsides, Ealy was getting off of blocks and making plays. Who knows what his ceiling is in this defense, but if he’s picking up their techniques and what they want him to do, there’s obviously a role available to him.

— Lawrence Guy had a tackle-for-loss, QB hit and a sack. Not sure how he’s kicked around the league this long. He looks like the perfect big body for BB to move around the defensive line. That he’s such an effective pass rusher is going to help fill a big need.

— Adam Butler saw time as the top designated pass rusher and once again showed good burst. He should’ve tackled D’Onta Forman on his touchdown run after the gross Garoppolo interception. He also drew a holding penalty. If anyone is playing their way onto the team right now it’s him.

 


— Gostkowski calming nerves with four field goals. We all really needed that. Even Gost probably did.

— Devin Lucien is growing on me. Too bad about BB’s refusal to throw a flag on what should’ve been a 20+ 3rd down conversion. I’d make him a priority for the practice squad, he fits the offense well and is showing good development and toughness.

— Cole Croston was in at left tackle with depth thinned out, and overall he and the rest of the backups were pretty bad. Tough night for Jimmy under duress, but that pick was terrible regardless that he was on the run for his life.

— After a slow start, Elandon Roberts made his first downhill blocker blast of the preseason, that was a great play for him, unfortunately he was later carted off after colliding with Jonathan Freeny on the Texans’ 63-yard run. He was ruled out with a rib injury, which, and I’m not a doctor, probably sounds like he broke some ribs. Ouch. But honestly I doubt it will phase Roberts and it won’t be long before he’s already back out there. The guy is old school tough.

— Garoppolo threw at James O’Shaughnessy a bunch ( 5/41, 6 targets),  leaving many of us wondering where Jacob Hollister went. O’Shaughnessy looked good on a couple plays, but I still believe the third tight end job is not a guaranteed roster spot. He also coughed up the fumble which doesn’t help his cause.

— The recurring defensive problem this week? The big plays again the defense continued, giving them a grand total of 6 plays of 30 yards or more. Three last week. Three this week. Most of it against the Texans were just missed tackles and poor angles. No one was getting beat deep, so progress? Kinda? It’s August. Sloppy football is somewhat expected. They’ll clean it up, especially at the top of the defense.

— The offense could’ve been a little more effective early, but without Nate Solder, I’m just happy Brady didn’t get blindside killed. The 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive was all I needed to see. It was good to see them bounce back like that after the interception was overturned. Little bit of resiliency there.

Plenty more to dissect from this one before turning the page to the much-hyped third preseason game at Detroit.