The Patriots lead the Dolphins 14-7 at the half and it looks like this one should go down to the wire as expected. Some quick hit observations.
– Offensively the Pats are going with a no huddle approach that worked well for a stretch before stalling closer to half time.
– Nate Solder had been doing a good job on Cameron Wake until the two minute drive. He’s going to need to elevate his play in the second half, I’m sure Wake will.
– Gronk 2011 looks like Gronk 2010 so far.
– It’s just one half, but the defense looks a lot more exciting so far. Getting pressure from a variety of places.
– The Pats are rotating guys on defense all over the place. Not sure I should even try to keep track of them this year.
– I look forward to seeing Reggie Bush get the ball as much in the second half as he did in the first. He must be on double oxygen tanks right now in the locker room.
– Looks like the Dolphins are trying to exploit the Pats poor sub-package run defense from 2010, but the Pats so far have done a pretty good job. Obviously this will mean nothing if they don’t keep it up.
– Ras-I starting on the outside. Impressive. Will have to focus on him more closely on the re-watch. But exciting none the less.
– It looks like Koppen is probably done for the season unless it’s a miracle. That’s part of the game, I feel as good as you can feel about any back up with Connolly in there. He’s got experience and great coaching. That’s as well as you can hope for.
– It sure is easy to get lulled into a false sense of security when the Pats offense was going through Miami’s defense like it was a 7-on-7 drill. This one will be a dogfight down to the end, count on it.