As I sit here blurry eyed and sleep deprived (I’m getting older folks, and the UK time difference can be brutal!) I gotta say I think I’m a happy Patriots fan. Now, if the Patriots had lost, maybe I wouldn’t be as happy, and that’s fair but it isn’t really about the 22 to 13.
It’s about perspective.
I know I know, I do like that word — but in this case it is true.
Preseason games may have been missed last year more than we thought, but the impact on the players’ development may have been significant. And so as the first preseason game is in the bag, we have had our first taste of (almost?) real football.
Now, there are still many questions to be answered, let alone asked, and there are many kinks to be smoothed out, but just to see the team out there was a pleasure in itself.
Okay, so the hot topic; the quarterback battle still reigns supreme as we all drink our coffee this morning (please someone pour me some more) and from the limited amount we got to see Cam Newton, 12 snaps over two drives, I’m guessing whichever side of the fence you are on, you haven’t changed your mind, at least very much. Whilst Mac Jones had some shaky moments, he had glimmers of a really good quarterback too and this is so encouraging to see. Significantly, Mac was professional, he was efficient, primarily accurate with a fast tempo. Whether Mac Jones has this 2021 season as a starter over Cam Newton or not, I think we are seeing the Patriots future when it comes to QB1.
But it isn’t ALL about the quarterback, there’s so much more.
Not to use such a general sweeping statement, but I’m gonna, the rookies did good last night. Rhamondre Stevenson with 127 rushing yards on 10 carries for starters!
The solo undrafted free agent, kicker Quinn Nordin, there is no doubt that this kid has a leg, and he knows how to use it, baby! Three field goals and an extra point, yes please and thank you very much. Quinn did miss on another extra point, so he needs to be wary of consistency, but hey it was his first NFL game…hopefully one of many in Patriot blue.
Now don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, and i’m not trying to sell to you that it was. I think that the defence looked shaky in the first quarter, and I’m fearful that the key to some lacklustre showings from the secondary was the absence of Stephon Gilmore. However, the free agency signing of Matt Judon showed to pay dividends and that injury scare probably had most of us on the edge of our seats.
A glaring issue that we aren’t used to seeing from the Patriots so much is penalties, nine to be exact and false starts more than once. And whilst this will take a bit of time and work, that’s all that really needs, time and work.
And of course the Patriots have some! Whilst football is sort of back, there is also plenty of preseason and joint practices still to come. So whilst September 12th seems near and far, it’s a good thing coffee was invented.
Go Pats!
Love your take on the game. Spot on!