Pats Posits: Jimmy Lights It Up, Brady Gets Cut

Okay, Brady got cut with scissors, but if you’re reading this blog you are probably well aware of that already. The Patriots offense came to life against the Bears, with Jimmy Garoppolo turning in an impressive performance (16/21 181 yards, 1 TD), behind an offensive line that didn’t allow a sack (though one was negated by a penalty).

The Patriots defense on the other hand showed some holes early, negating two third-down  stops with penalties on Patrick Chung and Justin Coleman. Still, as they often do, the Pats plugged up the early holes (Hoyer in for Cutler sure helped) and the Pats got a meaningless 23-22 win.

Here are the Posits as we hit the mid-way point of the preseason!

— Have to start with Jimmy Garoppolo who looked almost as cool as Tom Brady out there. He was decisive and accurate and if Aaron Dobson hadn’t dropped a third-down pass on the first drive, Garoppolo’s night would’ve been even more impressive. And yes, his throw was a little behind Dobson but that’s a catch that should be made. Garoppolo will get a huge test next week in Carolina but against the Bears he looked like a starting NFL quarterback. And a solid one. His quick release continues to impress me.

— Not sure I’ve seen the offensive line look that cohesive since early 2015. Everything just seemed in sync and that’s how we’re used to things around here under Dante Scarnecchia. Shaq Mason was a bit of a surprise scratch, but Josh Kline did a good job. As a unit they were effective in both pass protection and on the ground. Not perfect, but certainly encouraging considering the kind of offensive line play we’ve been seeing lately.

— Tyler Gaffney has another pretty solid night, 11 carries for 37 yards and three catches for 11 yards. He was stopped on three-straight goal line carries. He’s not flashy but he’s runs hard and gets downhill. LeGarrette Blount had his most impressive non-Colts game in a while. 11 carries, 69 yards, a touchdown and a long of 21. Makes you wonder if he wasn’t healthy all of last season. Still, that’s Blount, a runaway train one week, dead quiet the next. That’s why I do believe there’s a spot for both these guys in the backfield. Gaffney’s run/pass balance in unique compared to the pass-only James White and the mostly run-only Blount.

— Biggest surprise of the night has to be Anthony Johnson, who finished with a half sack, a pass defensed, a tackle-for-loss and a QB hit. Johnson has lost considerable weight — Belichick said they weren’t even sure they had the right guy when they worked him out — and looks like he’s molded himself into a unique player on this defense. We thought they were getting rid of smaller 3-technique DTs like Easley, but alas Johnson fits that mold at 280 pounds. His unique body type could help him win a role as a sub-rusher on the interior.

Went back to find my Anthony Johnson scouting report from 2014. He’s showing some of those positive traits tonight. pic.twitter.com/ReegePC3nE

— Mike Loyko (@NEPD_Loyko) August 19, 2016

— With Shea McClellin out, Jonathan Freeny was in at middle linebacker, sliding Hightower to strong-side linebacker in the regular personnel package. In sub, Freeny came off and Hightower moved back. This is why I thought McClellin would be the middle linebacker, so that Hightower wouldn’t have to play there, instead stay on the line of scrimmage where he can use his biggest asset, his strength. But it appears the Pats like Hightower at Mike, at least better than they like McClellin there, and if he stays healthy he’ll be there going forward.

— Such a weird afternoon before the game. First, we found out Alan Branch was suspended by the team for what Belichick called a “club matter”. Weird. Then after all the reports told us Brady was going to play, and Belichick confirmed to the radio guys he was playing, he was MIA when the quarterbacks came out. Then he was spotted leaving the facility. WTF? Later, Tom E. Curran reported Brady cuts finger with some scissors and that’s why he was out. Sounds like he’ll be fine, but imagine how badly we’d be freaking out if he wasn’t suspended the first four games!

— Trey Flowers got the chance to start and he looked like he belonged in the NFL. He was still as impactful against starters as he was against backups, finishing with three tackles, a half sack and a QB hit. He should see plenty of snaps until Rob Ninkovich returns. He’s disruptive against the run and has good strength on his pass rush. He’s developing into the total package and that bodes well for the future with Ninkovich, Long and Sheard all scheduled for free agency next year.

— Kind of surprised how bad Terrance Knighton has looked. He was pushed around and run over a couple times. With Anthony Johnson surging, Markus Kuhn getting plenty of looks, and a couple of other big fatties on the roster (Branch, Valentine), Knighton needs to have a strong rest of August to make this team.

— Malcolm Butler‘s change of direction is off the charts. He stopped on a dime on his impressive pass defense. He’s the real deal.

— Brandon Bolden had some flashes but also a fumble. That’s the player he is. Great on special teams, a solid-not-spectacular backup at running back who knows the offense. Great player to have on your team, I just don’t want to see him at running back in a meaningful game.

— Cyrus Jones read the quarterback perfectly on his interception. He also showed some sizzle on a 16-yard punt return. He looks like a playmaker and the Pats will find a way to get their first pick of the draft involved.

— James White is another player who is what he is. And I like him as a receiving back. But there’s a lot of White super fans (White boys?) who think he’s way better than he is. He can make some flashy plays, but they’re usually only coming on screens and they still don’t seem like they want to give him any handoffs. I want to see more finish out of White. He couldn’t finish in last year’s AFC Championship and even against the Bears he busted a big play but was tackled at the one-yard-line. You have to finish those!

— In case I haven’t mentioned it, Jamie Collins is good at football.

— Couple guys who stood out this week that were quiet last week include Elandon Roberts, who looked decisive at middle linebacker, and Darryl Roberts, who made a couple nice plays on the ball. I don’t think Jonathan Jones quite has the last CB spot sewn up just yet.

— Chris Hogan had 4 catches for 53 yards and I think the best is yet to come with him. At times he looked like he was still acclimating in the offense to me. I’ll take a closer look at him on the re-watch, but an impressive debut and he’ll only get better, especially when it’s Brady out there.

— I’m all in on AJ Derby. I know. I tried to remind myself of the Zach Sudfeld incident where a young tight end tore it up in preseason and I thought we had Gronk 2.0, but I can’t help it. He’s a football player. I know there are concerns about having the right mix at tight end between blockers and catchers, but all I know is that Derby can play. He makes tough catches. And he looks like he belongs. You have to keep guys like that. Why keep Clay Harbor who’s done showed nothing and is on the backside of his career, if not the end? Derby’s on my 53-man roster now I don’t care what anyone says. I’m keeping him.

— Kamu Grugier-Hill had a reduced role this time around, reduced to a sub linebacker. I think he probably makes the team for his special teams, but I’m not sure if he’ll ever have a significant role on defense unless there are significant injuries. Certainly not this year.

— Really impressed with the progression of Jacoby Brissett. He looked confident and displayed a big arm. He continues to remind me of Ben Roethlisberger and the #7 is sure helping that. The progress he’s made since the reports of early camp, when he was just firing the ball out of play because he didn’t know what to do with it, to this game is significant. If he continues on this trajectory the Pats will have no need to use a roster spot on another QB for September.

Next week is the big third preseason game where we can expect to see Garoppolo play into the third quarter. Both sides of the ball will have significant challenges with the Panthers. I’ll be most curious to see how the defense does against Cam Newton, especially with their bigger defensive tackles who won’t be much use in pursuit.

This will be Garoppolo’s biggest test of his young career, but if he continues to get good pass protection and maintain his steady demeanor he should be just fine.