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The Day After: Backup QB Concern
August 9, 2008
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Written by Matt Marcantonio, on 08-08-2008 10:18
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Published in : Patriots, Games
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Today marks the day after the 16-15 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the first preseason game. While I had some general thoughts last night about the players who performed well and not so good, I felt it was a need for me to have one final say to close out this contest. Then, I'm off to New Jersey to watch the Jets play. I kid, I kid.
.. > The spot behind Brady is wide open and don't be fooled for the love fest Belichick seems to have with Matt Cassel. Cassel has continuously played bad over the last couple of seasons and like I mentioned last night, he has gotten worse over time. Now you have Chad Pennington as a free agent and talking with some Pats fans, they wouldn't be opposed to the idea, however Pennington will land in either Kansas City or Miami in my opinion. But, would the Pats want to bring in a new QB to the system this late in camp, probably not. That then leads us with Matt Gutierrez, who has a very strong arm, but his ceiling is very low and is immobilized in the pocket. Before the season begins one of these two, Cassel and Gutierrez, will find themselves on another team as it's highly unlikely the Pats hold four QB's on the roster. That fourth QB as of right now is third round pick Kevin O'Connell who brings something to this offense that has been lacked upon for years; a mobile QB. As evident last night, O'Connell can make plays with his feet and you can even say he looked like a three year veteran compared to Ravens 2008 first round pick, Joe Flacco. The problem with O'Connell is that he isn't ready to backup Brady just yet, and do we really think Belichick would trust a rookie to start if Brady got injured. Yes, you can look back to 2001 when Brady backed up Bledsoe and eventually overtook his job, however, that was Brady's second year and he was reported to make terrific strides.
..> Speaking of backups and lack of depth, is anyone else worried about the receiver position? While it's a stretch now, this team could be in some trouble if Moss or Welker misses any significant time. Now, I'm not implying they will as both are healthy but one slip up in the season and this offense could be in some trouble. While Jabar Gaffney is a solid guy he really isn't met to start in this league as he disappears far to much in games. Then you have Chad Jackson, who was thought to breakout this season. Jackson looks like an all-pro in practice but he is inept in games and his hands, route running, and attitude are very sickening to watch. While I won't judge him on one game, Jackson was thrown to five times and he caught one pass which netted no yards. Not to mention he dropped a couple of passes and apparently slipped on a fade route in which he burnt Ravens cornerback Frank Walker. Sam Aiken, who was injured last night, is a solid fourth option however he to is inconsistent and at times as been outplayed by converted safety Ray Ventrone and do-it all rookie Matt Slater. Lets not kid ourselves, Brady could have great success with Ventrone and Slater starting but it's definitely not warranted.
,,> 2008; A potential huge draft class for Patriots? Lets face it, in 2007 the Pats really missed in the draft. Sure, Brandon Meriweather looks like a future stud and sure they got Randy Moss and Wes Welker but in terms of searching out talent they reached for guys like Kareem Brown, Clint Oldenburg, and Corey Hillard. In the contrary, 2008, looks to be a draft class that could potentially be one of the best since 2003.
Jerod Mayo: Will have an instant impact and could be the DROY. He will start from day one and won't relinquish the job until his days are done in New England.
Terrence Wheatley: Great ball skills, although he is smaller, the kid is physical. Ahead of Asante Samuel at this point in his career.
Shawn Crable: An Adalius Thomas clone, a big lanky playmaker that will be a solid guy for years to come.
Kevin O'Connell: The air-apparent to Tom Brady? Time will tell.
Jonathan Wilhite: Great speed and could play a role as a nickel or dime back in the future. He's not afraid to hit you either.
Matt Slater: Safety, Wide Receiver, Kick returner; The guy can do it all. Anyone else see Troy Brown, but faster?
Bo Ruud, Vince Reed, Gary Guyton: All LB's, all have a certain something they bring to the table. Out of these three Guyton looks like the most likely to make the team. Running a 4.5 in the 40, Guyton could be paired with Mayo in a couple of seasons.
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Written by Matt Marcantonio, on 08-08-2008 00:41
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Published in : Patriots, Games
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The Good
 Jerod Mayo - LB
Mayo looked like a wily ole' veteran out there and has definitely secured a starting spot come week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mayo was all over the field in the first quarter which was headlined by a "You got Jacked Up" moment against Ray Rice, where Rice's helmet flew off. Mayo did a good job shedding blocks but did get lost in coverage on a seven yard gain by a Ravens receiver.
Shawn Crable - LB
Crable was huge all game long and has quickly garnered a resemblance of Adalius Thomas. Crable, got a sack and interception, and really did a terrific job in rushing the Ravens QB's all game long.
Pierre Woods - LB
Unlike the Super Bowl, Woods actually recovered a fumble and seemed to get in on every play. With the play of Crable, this is only reassuring for Woods as both could find themselves in the LB rotation.
Terrence Wheatley - CB
Great coverage all game long, except one or two passes. Displayed his run support skills on a couple of instances also.
LaMont Jordan - RB
Granted he was rushing against the second and third team defense, Jordan has great success and looked a lot quicker then I can remember. Unlike Maroney, Jordan hit the holes and then showed a second gear in the open area.
Kevin O'Connell - QB
Showed great poise all game long, and on the run. He didn't have the best weapons to work with but he did his best and almost led the Pats to a comeback.
Notables
Marcus Pollard - TE
Titus Adams - DT
Brandon Meriweather - S
The Bad
Patriots Offensive line
Gross. They looked exactly like they did when we saw them last.
Fernando Bryant - CB
Got beat three consecutive times on the first drive.
Special Teams Coverage
Enough said.
The Ugly
Matt Cassel - QB
He looked gross. Simply put. He has regressed every year and if he isn't shown the door before the season, something is wrong.
Chad Jackson - WR
Some miscommunication with Cassel led to an INT. Jackson was thrown to five times and he only caught one pass, in which he lost a yard. He dropped many passes and just looked terrible.
C.J Jones - WR
During the biggest part of the game he fumbled a punt and dropped a 4th and 18 that would have gave the Pats a first down.
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