new england patriots

I realize I’m no Peter King, but I’ve got about 10 Pats things to share so I’m stealing his format. It won’t be the first time, nor will it be the last.

1. Still don’t think Tebow makes the team. They need him for Thursday night, but this team is all about value and I don’t see much value in Tebow at this point.
2. I see Leon Washington as a lock given Vereen’s injury history and his explosiveness in the return game. Reliable veteran insurance at RB/KR/PR? Yes please.
3. Wondering if the lack of offensive line depth factors into James Develin having a shot as a FB to make the roster. Do you really want to use an OL at FB on the goalline if he’s backing up three different positions?
4. I do think Adrian Wilson could get cut, I really do. The question is how Harmon and Tavon have looked in practice in the money role. Even if Adrian makes it I am not sure he plays anything but dime linebacker.
5. I am now obligated by the rules of this blog established over the last three-plus years to mention my crush on Tommy Kelly. Unlike past player crushes like Patchung!, this one should work out. I hope.
6. Joe Vellano has played well in preseason, holding up surprisingly well against double teams and getting some push, but I still think he’s a Rudy-type and will likely end up on the practice squad.
7. I really liked what I saw out of Brandon Bolden before he fumbled against the Lions, and remain a fan of his. Just love how he runs and if Ridley were to go down, Bolden would still be my next option in line.
8. My starting weapons vs. Bills/Jets: Amendola-Thompkins-Ballard-Sudfeld-Ridley, with Dobson and Edelman rotating in. If Fells gets healthy I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in there over Sudfeld.
9. My starting secondary: Talib-Arrington, McCourty-Gregory. Ryan comes on in nickel, Arrington slides inside. Adrian Wilson comes on in dime, playing linebacker with Mayo.
10. This might surprise people, given the Patriots uber-blogger that I am, but I get far more enjoyment out of football when the Jets and Bills are good. All these injuries and disfunction going on now is not that enjoyable for me.

I’ve been picking the nuggets that ring truest to me so far today, now it’s time to weigh in with a big picture follow-up.

Let’s start on the offensive side of the ball.

I’ve been saying it all summer, this offense shows promise, but there are going to moments of inconsistency. Granted, last night was an ENTIRE GAME of inconsistency, but I still expect things like Sudfeld’s fumble, Thompkins 3rd-and-2 drop, and Dobson having trouble fighting through traffic to happen at various times throughout September and October.

The key for the offense will be to build on these moments and not let them continue into the winter months. For that reason, it is a positive to get a bunch of them out of the way now in the preseason. 

This was an excellent lesson for this young offense on the road against a team that clearly came to play (as the Patriots should’ve expected). This will be a positive learning experience, but only if they can clean it up.

On defense, I like the resiliency they showed last night as a unit. They were definitely exposed yet again in the middle of the field and that is a little troubling.

Tommy Kelly is clearly going to make an impact this year and I am more excited about him that any other new player. Plug Wilfork back in, draw up an actual game plan, and this defense should be better, but they still had some of the same problems as last year.

Still, plenty to build on here.