Yesterday wasn’t fun, the Patriots were awful. But, we dust ourselves down and reflect ahead of TB12’s return home next Sunday. I’m going to keep this one short, I could add a lot more in the downs column, but I’ll keep it to the main ones that stuck out to me. Here are your ups and downs from yesterday’s loss to the Saints.
James White
First I just wanted to add a quick note about James White’s injury yesterday. It might sound odd, but that’s what bummed me out the most yesterday, I was crestfallen to see him get carted off the field with a serious hip injury. I hope it’s not the last we’ve seen of him, he’s one of my favorite Patriots ever.
Ups ⬆️
Matt Judon
Judon stood out among all others on the defense yesterday. A couple of sacks to go along with a disruptive day for Judon, who’s been the only free agent pickup playing anywhere near close to how much he was paid. We’ll need more like that from him, especially next week.
Jakobi Meyers
Sign this man to a multi-year extension please, just keep him around. Jakobi Meyers is WR 1, he’s proven time and again he’s the best wideout on the roster, yesterday he hauled in 9 targets for 94 yards, a good day for him.
Kendrick Bourne
Bourne showed glimpses of what he could perhaps bring to the offense when it gets going (hopefully). His touchdown grab was impressive on the sideline with a tight rope walk to stay inbounds and score his first as a Patriot. He also finished with a career day, 6 catches for 96 yards along with the touchdown.
Downs ⬇️
The Offensive Line
It’s like banging your head against a wall, the line is hampering any potential progress for the offense currently. I honestly don’t know what needs to be fixed, but they need to try something different, mix payers around and try and find a new working dynamic. Hopefully Trent Brown will be back for the Bucs game, he just makes things better.
Jonnu Smith
I have not been impressed by Smith so far in the regular season, which is a real shame because by all reports he was coming along well in the preseason. He had a horrible game yesterday, couldn’t block, and dropped a catchable ball into a pick-six which effectively sealed the game for the Saints. He’s doing all he can to find his way into Bill’s doghouse, the team needs a lot more from him.
LB Dont’a Hightower
I don’t know if it’s just me, but I’ve hardly noticed Hightower out there at all, he’s really been a non-factor through the first few weeks and it was the same yesterday. He’s getting paid well for not a whole lot in return right now, another trending theme, a veteran that the team needs more from.